Dance
35 courses · Golden West College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DANC G100 Modern Dance 1 - Beginning
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Modern Dance 1. This course provides instruction and practice in fundamental modern dance techniques, improvisation and composition and promotes the development of an understanding and appreciation of modern dance as an art form.
DANC G101 Viewing Dance
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to contemporary dance theatre through viewing dance films and performances. The historical development of dance from ritual to contemporary forms will be primarily discussed in relation to Western-based genres of dance, such as, ballet, modern, tap, and jazz. Students will view associated dance works and discuss relevant components. Students will be required to attend a live performance and submit a critique. Discussions and assignments will address social and psychological concerns, sexuality, race, gender, and aesthetics as they come into play within the art form of dance.
DANC G105 Strength and Stretch
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC (with credit limitation)
This course provides instruction and practice in fundamental stretching techniques, strength conditioning and correction of body alignment. Students will learn stretch combinations on the floor, with partners and at the ballet barre. There will be discussions of anatomical theories and exercises leading to correct body alignment.
DANC G106 Strength and Stretch 2 - Intermediate
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Advisory
- DANC G105.
This course provides instruction and practice in intermediate level dance conditioning techniques, which can include Pilates training, Hatha yoga, gyrokinesis yoga, ballet floor and barre, and fitness training techniques. There will be discussion of nutrition and anatomical theories leading to correct body alignment.
DANC G108 Pilates and Barre for Dancers
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Advisory
- DANC G105 or DANC G106 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is for the intermediate/advanced dancer to create a better understanding and application of the exercise principles, theory, and history of the Pilates method with classical ballet barre and is designed to improve and enhance dance technique and performance. This course will include training for dancers in Pilates principles, terminology, alignment, breath, strength and flexibility exercises, injury prevention, endurance and kinesiological awareness along with elements from classical ballet barre and basic ballet terminology. Elements from Pilates may include but are not limited to mat work, ball, magic circle, theraband, foam roller and reformer. Proper breathing techniques will be emphasized.
DANC G112 Ballroom Dance
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A course designed to acquaint students with the fundamentals and various styles of ballroom dancing. There will be an introduction and overview to smooth, Latin, swing, and various dances. The basics and variations of dances to be taught may include but are not limited to Fox Trot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango, Swing, Polka, Salsa, Country, Two Step, Cajun, and Hustle. The course overview is intended to cover the basic footwork, variations, styling, rhythm, timing, lead-follow, and dance characteristics of the dances taught.
DANC G113 Ballroom Dance 2 - Beginning
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G112 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is designed for students with some experience in ballroom dance and/or to further the study of ballroom dance begun in DANC G112. The course will provide a review of ballroom dance styles including but not limited to smooth, Latin, swing, and various dances. The course will emphasize more complex ballroom dance and partnering techniques. The course is designed to further the understanding of ballroom dance forms while enhancing appropriate level footwork, variations, styling, rhythm, timing, lead-follow, and dance characteristics. Dances to be introduced and practiced may include but are not limited to Fox Trot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango, Swing, Polka, Salsa, Country, Two Step, Cajun, and Hustle.
DANC G115 Tap Dance 1 - Beginning
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Beginning Tap Dance. This course is designed to develop beginning tap dance techniques.
DANC G119 Hip Hop Dance
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will instruct students in various styles of hip hop dance such as breaking, freestyle, locking, popping and other evolving contemporary dance forms at the beginning/intermediate level. Course overview is intended to cover the basic footwork, variations, styling, rhythms and timing. Instruction might also include additional hip hop techniques such as street dance, B-boying and improvisation. Course is designed for the student with little or no previous hip hop dance instruction.
DANC G120 Ballet 1 - Beginning
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Ballet 1. Instruction and practice in fundamental ballet techniques and correct use of ballet terminology at a beginning level. Students will learn basic alignment, warm-ups, barre work, centre floor adagio and allegro dance combinations.
DANC G125 Jazz Dance 1 - Beginning
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Jazz Dance 1. This course provides instruction and practice in the techniques and styles of jazz dance. It is a course designed to develop jazz dance techniques using resource and movement materials. Experience in the creation, development and performance of jazz dance using jazz and rock music as the accompaniment.
DANC G130 Dance For Musical Theater
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces the elements, techniques, and various methods of choreography at a beginning level. Students will develop improvisational and choreographic skills that will be applied to solo and group movement studies. There will be a variety of performance opportunities.
DANC G145 Modern Dance 2 - Intermediate
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G100 or permission of instructor.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Intermediate Modern Dance. This course provides instruction and practice in intermediate level modern dance technique including modern dance warm-up exercises and combinations choreographed to live and recorded accompaniment. Students will have the opportunity to improvise and choreograph their own modern dance studies at an intermediate level.
DANC G150 Tap Dance 2 - Intermediate
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G115 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Rhythm Tap Styles. This course focuses on the instruction and practice of intermediate tap dance techniques with emphasis on rhythms and tempos using tap sounds as the medium for the composition.
DANC G155 Ballet 2 - Intermediate
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G120 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Intermediate Ballet. Instruction and practice in intermediate ballet techniques. Classroom participation in barre work, complex centre practice and intermediate adagio and allegro ballet combinations.
DANC G160 Contemporary Dance Styles
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Advisory
- DANC G125.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course includes the instruction and practice of jazz dance techniques in the contemporary style. Across the floor exercises, center floor combinations, and class choreography emphasize musicality, stylistic variation, and movement dynamics. The style of movement reflects popular music and culture.
DANC G200 Modern Dance 3 - Advanced
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G145 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Advanced Modern Dance. Instruction and practice in advanced level modern dance techniques, theory, improvisation and composition.
DANC G201 Modern Dance 4 - Professional
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G200 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides modern dance instruction and practice as a continuation of Modern Dance 3 - Advanced Level, with emphasis on professional level modern dance technique, theory, improvisation and composition.
DANC G212 Ballroom Dance 3 - Intermediate
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G113 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU
A course designed to acquaint students with the fundamentals and various styles of ballroom dancing at an intermediate level. Dances to be taught may include but are not limited to Fox Trot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango, Swing, Polka, Salsa, Country, Two Step, Cajun, and Hustle at an intermediate level. The course will cover intermediate level footwork, variations, styling, rhythm, timing, lead-follow, and dance characteristics. Student is expected to be at intermediate level for smooth, Latin, swing, and variety dances.
DANC G213 Ballroom Dance 4 - Advanced
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 9 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G212 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will further the study of ballroom dance begun in previous levels of ballroom dance instruction with emphasis on the complex structure and styles of advanced level ballroom dancing. This course will cover footwork, variations, styling, rhythm, timing, lead-follow, and dance characteristics of the advanced level dance styles taught. The advanced level ballroom dance styles to be demonstrated and taught may include but are not limited to Fox Trot, Waltz, Cha Cha, Tango, Swing, Polka, Salsa, Country, Two Step, Cajun, and Hustle.
DANC G215 Tap Dance 3 - Advanced
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G150 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Advanced Tap Dance. This course is a complete study in advanced tap techniques in both rhythm & Broadway tap styles.
DANC G219 Hip Hop Dance 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G119 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course will further the study of hip hop dance at the intermediate/advanced level. Emphasis will be on vocabulary, footwork, technical skills, styling and rhythms found in various styles of hip hop dance including but not limited to breaking, locking, popping, freestyle/improvisation, street dance and B-boying. Students will create hip hop choreography in preparation for auditions and/or performance.
DANC G220 Ballet 3 - Advanced
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Advanced Ballet. Advanced level ballet techniques. Classroom participation in barre work, complex centre practice and advanced adagio and allegro combinations.
DANC G225 Jazz Dance 2 - Advanced
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Advanced Jazz Dance. Instruction and practice in advanced jazz dance techniques. Students will learn jazz warm-up exercises, jazz combinations and complete dances choreographed to jazz, rock, and musical theater music. Current styles, staging, and composition of jazz dances will be included.
DANC G230 Choreography 1
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Choreography. This course introduces the elements, techniques, and various methods of choreography at a beginning level. Students will develop improvisational and choreographic skills that will be applied to solo and group movement studies. There will be a variety of performance opportunities.
DANC G231 Choreography 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G230.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
Formerly: Choreography 2 - Intermediate/Advanced. This course continues the study of the art of making dances at the intermediate and advanced levels. Instruction and practice of the elements of dance and the theories of choreography will be at the intermediate/advanced level and will continue to emphasize the elements of dance choreography composition: space, shape, time, and energy. Students will improvise and choreograph solo and group compositions at the intermediate/advanced level while enjoying a variety of performance opportunities.
DANC G232 World Dance and Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will expose students to the dances of different cultures from around the world, including the examination of dance forms in relation to their specific cultural contexts. Students will critically examine dances from different regions throughout history, and how these dances are used for healing, fertility, religious rituals, death ceremonies, ancestor worship, and theatrical entertainment. Students will observe two dance performances, either live or recorded.
DANC G235 Modern Dance Ensemble
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- Instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for the dance student to learn new or previously choreographed modern dance works. These dances will be learned in their entirety and perfected to performance level. Students will perform the work at public performances during the semester.
DANC G240 Tap Dance Ensemble
- Units
- 1-2
- Hours
- 9, 18 lecture hours; 27, 54 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
A performance group for the advanced tap dancer. Students will learn and perfect several new or previously choreographed tap works. Students will be expected to perform publicly during the semester.
DANC G245 Performance Ensemble
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides a performance ensemble for the intermediate and advanced dancer. Students will learn and perfect several new or previously choreographed works. Students will be expected to perform publicly during the semester.
DANC G250 Studio Production And Performance
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course introduces the creative and production aspects of choreographing original work, from rehearsal to stage. All aspects of dance concert production are studied.
DANC G251 Studio Production and Performance 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G230, DANC G250, or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course will further the study of the creative and production aspects of running a dance ensemble for the purpose of community outreach and performance. This course is designed to allow continuing opportunities for students interested in producing original choreography and performing in the dance studio at GWC, on the GWC Mainstage and elsewhere in the community at an intermediate/advanced level. Students will be provided performance opportunities and experiences required for management of a dance company. All aspects of dance concert production are studied including choreography, lighting, costuming, publicity, music, scenery design, special effects and staging. Placement by audition only. Enrollment not accepted until auditions at the first class meetings.
DANC G255 Ballet 4 - Professional
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DANC G220 or instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course provides professional-level ballet technique for barre, centre combinations, and adagio and allegro combinations. Advanced comprehension of ballet terminology, musical rhythms and ballet history will be emphasized.
DANC G260 Dance Production and Performance
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course prepares students for the creation and performance of dance in concert. All elements of the concert dance experience including choreography, lighting, costuming, and music are explored. Practical experience is obtained through college and community dance performances.
DANC G261 Dance Production and Performance 2
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 27 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- Instructor permission.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides opportunity for students to perform in a live concert dance production in the Golden West College Mainstage Theater at an intermediate/advanced level. All the aspects of dance production including choreography and music, and technical elements such as lighting, costuming, sound, special effects, and set design will be emphasized.