Dance Assessment Results
- Mission Statement
We acknowledge that dance is more than an art form. Through practice and play, we discover the value of dance to foster empathy, creative freedom, and inclusion. We are a community of professional and emerging artists who understand the power of dance to transform the individual in the community.
We value open-access enrollment, nurturing the whole individual. The program’s belief in the interconnectedness of backgrounds, cultures, education, and teaching styles provides self-realized growth among students and faculty. We practice the integration of the art form in all of its diverse manifestations - societal reform, social justice, arts, education, research, and language.
- Student Learning Outcomes
- Certificate
Certificate of Proficiency in Therapeutic Dance
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of physiology and biomechanical principles of dance.
- Demonstrate a baseline understanding of psychology and psychological theory.
- Complete minimum hour requirements at supervised practicum sites.
- Demonstrate and explain how dance can assist people of all ages and abilities through the experience of embodiment by employing a passion for creative movement in a therapeutic context.
- Associate's Degree
Associate of Arts in Dance
- Demonstrate intermediate skills in diverse dance forms and performance abilities, including technical skills, artistry, musicality, and stage presence, reflecting engagement with underrepresented dance traditions.
- Articulate foundational knowledge of dance theory, history, cultural context, and perspectives through the lens of inclusive identities to research, critically analyze, and evaluate dance forms and constructions.
- Demonstrate a basic understanding and practical application of dance production elements and community engagement through stagecraft, media arts, and outreach activities that promote appreciation for diverse dance traditions, inclusivity, and dance as a social and expressive art form.
- Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education / Bachelor of Science in Dance Education
- Demonstrate proficiency in diverse dance forms and performance abilities, including technical skills, artistry, musicality, and stage presence, reflecting engagement with underrepresented dance traditions.
- Demonstrate the ability to read, understand, and critically analyze dance theory, history, cultural context, and perspectives through the lens of inclusive identities to research, critically analyze, and evaluate dance forms and constructions.
- Devise instructional dance compositions, curriculum, and educational experiences across diverse styles and techniques, utilizing creative research methodologies.
- Integrate dance production elements and community engagement through stagecraft, media arts, and outreach activities that promote appreciation for diverse dance traditions, inclusivity, and dance as a social and expressive art form.
- Certificate
- Curriculum Grid
Update in Progress
We are currently transitioning to a different format. Please contact oie@weber.edu to request a copy of the current curriculum grid for this program. - Program and Contact Information
Dance is a beautiful and ancient art form that has blossomed in our nation throughout the last century. Dance majors challenge themselves and grow in many ways: they develop physical and mental discipline, self-expression, ability to work with others, self-confidence, poise, written and oral communication skills, leadership, creativity, and organizational skills. Being in Department of Performing Arts – where dance, music and theatre occur side by side – provides opportunities for dance majors to collaborate with other performing artists in addition to the focus on cross-campus collaboration, interdisciplinary creative research and community engagement. The Dance Area, inside the Department of Performing Arts, provides study in dance technique, performance, creative and academic scholarship. There exist many opportunities for dance students to perform, choreograph and teach both on campus and in the community. Many graduates of the Dance Area are working as artists and educators and some pursue related careers such as physical therapy and arts administrators.
Contact Information:
Joseph "Jo" Blake, Dance Program Coordinator
(801) 626-6479
josephblake@weber.edu
School of Performing Arts - Dance Program Website - Assessment Plan
Timeline (two-year rotation)
- 2021–2023: LO1
- 2023–2025: LO2 (current cycle concluded Nov 2025)
- 2025–2027: LO3 (next)
- 2027–2029: LO4
- 2029–2031: LO1 (repeats)
Model & Process
- The program uses an outcomes-based model. All faculty report course assessments and attend end-of-semester showings/presentations.
- Monthly program meetings review progress, course issues, student concerns, and use of results (“closing the loop”).
- Common practices: in-person finals; sophomore juries (oral self-assessments); technique skill demos; mainstage showings; e-portfolio artifacts; exit interviews (program graduates).
- Data tools (AY24–25 upgrades): standardized rubrics in Canvas, partner feedback forms, hour/attendance logs, e-portfolio submissions, and a shared dashboard for sampling and scoring.
Learning Outcome 2 (LO2) — Evidence Plan (2023–2025)
“Demonstrate the ability to read, understand, and critically analyze dance theory, history, cultural context, and perspectives through the lens of inclusive identities to research, critically analyze, and evaluate dance forms and constructions.”Direct Measures (anchor assignments & artifacts)
- DANC 1520 World Dance & Cultures / DANC 1560/3560 African Dance & Cultures (required):
- Artifacts: Case study on a dance form within cultural/political contexts; mini lecture or written analysis applying inclusive frameworks (e.g., race, gender, disability, indigeneity, diaspora).
- DANC 3015 Dance History (CEL):
- Artifacts: Primary-source analysis (programs/photos/reviews), annotated bibliography, short comparative essay, and a public-facing deliverable from archival partnerships (e.g., Ririe-Woodbury, RDT).
- DANC 4700 Creative Synthesis in Dance (Capstone):
- Artifacts: Prospectus and annotated bibliography using scholarly sources; oral defense segment on historiography/context; final paper excerpt demonstrating critical evaluation of form/construction.
- Pedagogy courses (DANC 3320/3640 Secondary Dance Pedagogy/Elementary Dance Pedagogy) – targeted LO2 components:
- Artifacts: Reading-based position memo connecting theory/history to teaching choices; observation write-up critiquing cultural framing and representation.
- Artifacts: Reading-based position memo connecting theory/history to teaching choices; observation write-up critiquing cultural framing and representation.
Common LO2 Rubric (applied across above courses)
- Comprehension of sources (accurate summary; disciplinary vocabulary)
- Contextualization (historical/cultural/sociopolitical placement; accuracy)
- Inclusive lenses (applies relevant identity-centered perspectives without tokenizing)
- Critical argumentation (claims supported by evidence; evaluates form/structure)
- Research practice (quality of sources; citation ethics; permissions where applicable)
Reporting cadence (LO2 cycle)- Fall 2024–Spring 2025: Artifact collection + scoring; partner feedback.
- Summer/Fall 2025: Aggregate & analyze; share results at first program meeting; approve actions.
- Spring 2026: Brief follow-up check on actions taken while LO3 cycle proceeds.
Looking Ahead: LO3 (2025–2027)- Confirm anchor assignments, build a common rubric, and keep the same sampling/reliability/reporting structure so year-to-year data remain comparable.
- Assessment Report Submissions
To view assessment report submissions prior to April 2026, please visit our assessment archive.
- Program Review
This information is part of the cyclical program review process. Details such as mission statements, learning outcomes, etc., are updated as part of the biennial assessment reporting process, an integral component of program review.