Master in Dance

The program requires 4 semesters totaling 46 credits:

Specialization in choreography/composition: 23 weekly hours plus 1 weekly unaccredited hour

Specialization in performance: 23 weekly hours plus 23 weekly hours plus 1 weekly unaccredited hour + 8 weekly hours of technique (unaccredited)

Courses

Composition I: Poetic Organization- From the Drive to Movement to the Dance:

This course aims to enhance personal, subjective expression using objective values in movement.

From the Fundamentals of Choreography to a Personal Language of Creation:

This course focuses on development of individual ability to find a personal language of creation and a specific artistic perspective, to enable dance creation.

From Composition to Performance:

This course focuses on the unique issues of the process of the student's composition to his/her performance. We will also examine ways of teaching a dance to others.

Dance and Technology:

In this course we will gain familiarity with computer software used in composition and research, as well as use of video.

Analysis of Works:

This course surveys and examines main approaches to dance creation, such as the intertextual approach and approaches based on theories of gender.

Form and Structure in the Arts:

This theoretical course will present and discuss guiding principles and approaches to composition in music as well as in dance.

Contemporary Modern Dance:

This course looks at methodology and technique in contemporary dance, stressing familiarity of the skeletal structure, strengthening the dancer's body, and work on stability, strength, flexibility and freedom of movement.

Research Methodology I:

This course introduces the student to the principles of quantitative scientific research, with the goal of enabling independent reading of research papers from a variety of sources.

Research Methodology II:

In this course students will encounter the basic and comprehensive disciplines in qualitative research in general, and in the field of dance in particular.

Seminar – Reading Dance Research:

We will look at changes in dance research: in theory, research methodology and approach, perspective and the academic-social-political agenda of the researchers.

Seminar – Art and the Brain:

We will examine modern theories tying art to cognition and comprehension, in order to acquire additional tools for observation, understanding, analysis and application in art.

Seminar – Supervised Research:

This seminar aims to grant the student tools to construct a theoretical paper, providing guidance at all stages of writing. Each student will write on a topic relevant to his/her own field of specialization.

Guest Instructors

In this course students will meet with important choreographers, performers and theorists of dance in Israel.

Performing Arts - Issues in Interpretation:

This course aims to hone the student's observational and comprehension skills in the area of performed repertoire works.

Composition II: Interdisciplinary Dialogue in Dance:

This course focuses on composition of dance derived from the encounter with another artistic field. We will develop skills in use of other artistic media as a way to expand the limits of dance and develop new materials of movement.

Procedure in Composition:

This course will focus on three advanced subjects in choreography/composition: Using the participating dancers' creative abilities in composition of the piece; abstract and concrete space; and creative processes and chance performances.

Issues in Dance Productions:

This course provides basic knowledge of stage organization and production, and a broad understanding of perspective, including relevant aspects of preparing and executing a stage production.

Seminar – Supervision of Written Papers accompanying Compositions:

This course aims to guide students in the writing of their theoretical papers. We will focus on construction of the theoretical section and reflection on the process of composition or performance of the piece.

Contemporary Dance Repertoire:

This course is for learning, understanding and comparing the languages of movement of contemporary choreographers. Students will learn and perform pieces by contemporary choreographers in Israel and abroad.

Bio-mechanics and Movement Science:

This course will examine human movement and provide theoretical knowledge of the motor system. We will also look at ways to enhance motor skills and methods of teaching motor skills.

Dance Forum

Each student will present his/her final paper and the forum will discuss its content. The professional forum will include fellow students, the student's advisor and lecturers from the Dance Faculty.

Issues in Movement and Dance Notation:

We will examine selected issues in applications of dance and movement notation and consider the relationship between dance and its written presentation. We will study approaches and solutions to problems inherent in dance notation as reflected in various samples of written material.

Music and Dance:

These are the "arts of time," in which works can be divided into sections; each section and its role in the whole is uniquely defined and characterized, creating the overall structure of the piece and its dramatic process. The course endow the student with tools to better understand processes and means of structural organization and musical drama, and will sharpen skills in communicating with musicians, including composers, arrangers, performers and researchers.

Restoring and Performing Works:

This course deals with reconstructing and performing dances from the classical and post-modern repertoire. We will examine issues in reconstruction and acquire critical skills for better critique and appreciation of performance skills.

Issues in Contemporary Dance:

This course aims to endow the student with skills to perform works by various choreographers, with in-depth study of each one's unique choreographic language. We will discuss the limits of interpretive freedom in performing, and the dancer's choice of emphasis in his/her performance.

Requirements for Completion of M.Dance Degree

Specialization in Choreography/Composition:

1. Recital of 30-40 minutes duration. The work must include three dance ensembles: Solo, duet and a larger group. In addition, a theoretical paper (30 pages) relating to the work must be submitted.
2. Oral exam, given by panel of three, on the recital and the written paper.
3. Fulfillment of all program course requirements.

Specialization in Performance:

1. Recital of 20-30 minutes duration that includes at least three pieces, performed by the student. In addition, a theoretical paper (30 pages) relating to the pieces performed must be submitted.
2. Oral exam, given by panel of three, on the recital and the written paper.
3. Fulfillment of all program course requirements.

The program aims to highlight and tighten the discourse between artistic endeavor and the theoretical sphere in dance. The course of study is designed to grant exposure to the broad spectrum of creative styles in contemporary dance and to invite a discussion of questions and issues of interest to creators and researchers of dance and human movement. Studies include theoretical and practical conferences, encounters with choreographers and theorists from Israel and abroad, and performances.