DEPARTMENT OF DANCE STUDIES AT UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
Course Descriptions
DANC 112: INTRODUCTION TO TRADITIONAL DANCE
This is a practical course which introduces students to the dances, music and cultures of Ghana.
The class is devoted to learning indigenous Ghanaian dances and songs as well as their historical
and cultural contexts. Students will work closely with the instructor and drummers to gain an
understanding of the marriage between dance and music in the Ghanaian dance tradition. Students
will further explore the history and culture of Ghana, through dance productions and written
assignments.
DANC 113: INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICAL AFRICAN DANCE 1
This is a combination of selected traditional African dance and dance movement technique. It
involves training in basic technical skills of African dance, with emphasis on body awareness,
placement, flexibility and improvisation etc
DANC 116: INTRODUCTION TO PRACTICAL AFRICAN DANCE 11.
This is a continuation of selected traditional African dance. The course also places emphasis on
movement technique body awareness, placement, flexibility and improvisation etc.
DANC 119: DANCE FORMS OF AFRICA
This course introduces students to some selected African traditional dance forms and their set up.
Students will study the context of performance and any other related issues.
DANC 221: Introduction to Dance Cultures of the World
A survey of dance forms practiced by peoples throughout the world. Dance in world cultures
towards a definition; categories of dance – Ethnic, Folk, Court, Ballroom/Social, Pop Dance,
Professional/Theatre, Classical and Art Dance; types of movements; forms of presentation; use of
Costume, props and make-up.
DANC 222: Introduction to Movement Analysis/Notation
Introduction to rhythm notation, Labanotation signs and symbols. Approach to movement
notation and variation in steps, turns and gestures. Signs reading technique and movement
recording/notation and dictation.
DANC 223: Orientation to Dance Theatre
Forms of Dance expression in the theatre: (i) Dance expression which focuses on communication
through the dynamics of movement and symbolic gestures. (ii) Dance expression based on story
line, plot and characterization.
DANC 224: Practical Dance II
Continuation of studies in DANC 205.
DANC 225 PRACTICALS.
This course is designed as a continuation of the Bachelor of Arts level 100 programme. It is a
combination of African movement technique and selected Ghanaian traditional dances. Training is
on basic technical skills of African dance with emphasis on body awareness, placement, flexibility
and improvisation.
DANC 226: Traditional Dance II
Learning of additional traditional Dances
DANC 227: Dance Technique I
Further training in basic technical skills of African dance with more emphasis on body awareness,
placement, flexibility and some improvisation.
DANC 228: Dance Technique II
Further work on exercises taught in the First Semester.
DANC 229: Traditional Dance I
Study of selected traditional Ghanaian dances.
DANC 330: Production Participation (year long)
To develop discipline, creativity and sound working attitudes, students are assigned varied roles in
dance productions – performances, choreography stage management, design and construction,
costume, props and make-up, lighting and sound effects.
DANC 331: Anatomy and Physiology for the Dancer
Principles affecting the physiological and anatomical structures of the human body and dance
laboratory application of these principles to body alignment, placement and dynamic posture for
dancers.
DANC 332: Historical and Comparative Dance Studies
Historical events and their influence on the development of dance forms and styles in African
societies. A comparative study of selected African dances from the Caribbean, Americas, Europe
and the Far East. Illustrated with video recordings.
DANC 333: Introduction to Dance Composition
A study of the craftsmanship involved in choreography. Student learns to explore movement
qualities, textures and the dance elements – design in space and time, force, rhythm and form;
development of skills in structuring dance; movement studies.
DANC 334: Music for Dance
Analysis of musical forms and resources for the dance. Various approaches to the correlation
between rhythm and focal points in music and movement. Formal design of music for dance
presentation.
DANC 335: African Dance Performance I
Building of a repertory of selected dance forms from Africa.
DANC 336: African Dance Performance II
Continuation of dances taught in the First Semester.
DANC 337: Intermediate Dance Technique I
Exercises in movement techniques covering African, Afro-Caribbean and modern dance, leading
to presentation of text assignments.
DANC 338: Intermediate Composition
Studies in the techniques of dance presentation – dramatic projection; experimentation with
various types of music setting, voice, spoken word; appreciation and use of movement for
expression, effects of lighting, costume, decor, props and make-up.
DANC 339: Traditional Songs I
Students will learn to sing selected folk songs.
DANC 341: Traditional Drumming I
Students may choose to learn to play the basic rhythm of the supporting drums in a particular
drum and the master drum.
DANC 342: Traditional Songs II
Continuation of what was taught in the First Semester.
DANC 343: Intermediate Labanotation I
Labanotation: Signs and symbols: Defined areas and identified movement notation, flexion,
contraction and space measurement.
DANC 344: Intermediate Dance Technique II
Further work on exercises taught in the First Semester.
DANC 345: Lighting Design for Dance
The theory and practice of lighting as a medium of artistic communication in dance. A study of
controllable qualities of light as well as lenses, lamps, lighting instrument, cables and connectors.
The lighting design process: creating and connectors. The lighting design process: creating the
visual image with light, through the use of colour, lighting key and plot. Laboratory sessions of
lighting design examples, rehearsals and performance procedures.
DANC 346: Intermediate Labanotation II
Intermediate notation of limbs, parts of the torso and tilting; Notation of movement phrases,
sentences and identifiable movements.
DANC 348: Traditional Drumming II
Continuation of what was taught in the First Semester.
DANC 352 Theatre Management
A general survey of the principles of management and application to the performing arts,
particularly in community and educational establishment; budgeting and production, preparation;
planning, organization and perfomances; problems of box office and house management,
advertising, publicity, public relations, staffing and personnel; organizing limited tours.
THEA 341: Stage Craft
A study of the theatre, its stage and equipment and the organization of the personnel. An
overview of two and three dimensional scenery as well as stagecraft tools and stage hardware.
Familiarity with stage symbols, culminating in drafting assignments of ground plans and front and
rear elevations.
THEA 346: Costume and Make up
Costume History: (i) A selective survey of the history of costumes from the Egyptian to the
present. Costume Design: (ii) Costume Design approaches: elements of design, colour and
fabrics as visual means of communicating through movement or dance. A laboratory session of
sketches culminating in full rendering of costumes for student productions. Costume Construction
(iii) A series of laboratory sessions on pattern development and cutting. The construction of basic
garments for the stage.
DANC 441: Dance Aesthetics and Criticism
Dance in relation to African value systems – communication of moral, social and aesthetic values
through dance. The nature and elements of African dance. The dancer, choreographer and
audience. The role of the dance critic in African society. A critical study of prescribed
choreographic works and reviews of selected literature on African Dance.
DANC 442: Dance in Education
The role of dance and its use in the development of curriculum material. The training of the
dancer. The dancer as a teacher. Dance as foundation for cultural studies. Graduated approach to
acquisition of dance skills.
DANC 443: Advance Dance Technique I
Development and use of African Dance Vocabulary. Advanced exercises in movement techniques
covering African, Afro-Caribbean, modern, jazz, etc. and leading to presentation of text
assignments.
DANC 444: Advanced African Traditional Songs II
Continuation of work started in the First Semester.
DANC 445: Dance Performance Laboratory I
Study of African dances. Emphasis on performance skills. Students will be required to study and
perform selected traditional African dances in both their authentic and recreated forms to public
view.
DANC 446: Dance Performance Laboratory II
Continuation of dances taught in the First Semester.
DANC 447 Theatre Management
A survey of principles of professional dance management including: training, planning, funding,
production, and packaging as well as the organization of performers and production staff. The
course will also look into challenges of programming and general organization of professional
touring with particular reference to African Dance Companies.
DANC 448: Advanced Dance Technique II
Further work on exercises taught in the First Semester.
DANC 449: Dance Ritual and Art
The inter-relationship of ritual art and dance in Africa. Gesture, mime and movement in ritual and
ceremony; types of ritual, their significance and those who perform them; time and venue; the
important role of visual arts, particularly the mask, headdress, costume, regalia and paraphernalia
of office, stools, combs, basketry and leather works in the dance; the mask – variety and style;
complexities of underlying myths, legends, and stories.
DANC 450: Production Participation (year long)
Students are assigned specific roles in departmental productions.
DANC 451: Advanced African Traditional Songs I
Students will be taught traditional songs selected from different areas of Africa.
DANC 452: African Instrumental Music Performance and Songs
Follow studies in playing of selected drum rhythms, xylophone rhythms, Atenteben (flute) etc. and
Songs. Students will also learn to play the master drum of particular musical types.
DANC 453: Advanced Labanotation I
Learning to notate some simple African dances.
DANC 460: Choreography
Students will be required to compose and present to the public an original group work and solo of
not less than 45 minutes.
DANC 470: Community Project
Students will be expected to work with a group in the community teaching traditional dances rearranged
by the student and a choreographed piece that might be his/hers or not, ending in a
performance. Not less than three dances must be taught.
DANC 480: Special Dance Study
Dance Majors may select one of the following projects. Permission for a particular project is
granted by the Dance staff. Students and supervisors meet weekly to view works in progress and
to discuss relevant academic and practical/artistic problems.
(a) Dance Composition: Students will be required to compose and present an original work
of not less than 15 minutes to the public. Pre-requisites: DANC 333
or
(b) Long Essay: Students will be required to present a thesis of about 30 pages on an aspect
of dance in traditional or contemporary African society. The Essay should include
notation of basic dance movements of the dance and some illustrative examples. Prerequisite:
DANC 221/DANC 222.
(c) Dance Notation: Student will be required to notate the basic movements and Analyse
some traditional African Dances selected by the student. Pre-requisites: DANC
224/DANC 338.
DANC 490: Advanced Labanotation II
Continuation of work started in the First Semester
THEA 465: Costume Design and Construction Costume History
The theory and practice of theatre costumes, application of principles of design such as colour
theory, mass, line proportion and emphasis. Laboratory sessions of costume design; patterning,
cutting and practical construction. The study also focuses on selected topics in costume history of
the world. There is an application acquired skills to actual performances.
THEA 466: Costume Design And Construction Costume History
Continuation of the theory and practice of theatre costumes, application of principles of design
such as colour theory, mass, line proportion and emphasis. Laboratory sessions of costume design;
patterning, cutting and practical construction. The study also focuses on selected topics in costume
history of the world. There is an application acquired skills to actual performances.