Dance Department records

Prior to the 1965/1966 academic year, few dance classes were offered through Mount Holyoke College's Physical Education Department. These courses were not given academic credit, but rather were used to satisfy physical education requirements at the College. At this time, however, students could use dance classes as part of an interdepartmental drama-dance major. In 1965/1966, the Physical Education Department was expanded and became the Physical Education and Dance Department, with a significant increase in the number and scope of dance courses offered. In addition to the dance courses formerly offered, the department offered courses in Dance Theory and Composition. Students were at this time given the option of creating an interdepartmental major by combining courses in dance with courses in another subject, such as theater or psychology. In the 1970/1971 academic year, an independent Dance Department was established. This department was officially called the Five College Dance Department, and students at Mount Holyoke could at this time earn a degree from Mount Holyoke with a major in dance. The curriculum in the Dance Department again expanded to include the two areas of study: Dance Theory and Composition and Individual and Group Performance Studies. The purpose of the department was to encourage in their majors an intensive study of the field of dance within the context of a liberal arts education. The Five College Dance Department has encouraged students to utilize facilities at all five institutions. The Five College Dance Department coordinates performances, classes, guest artists, workshops, and lectures. Still a Five College major, a major in dance at Mount Holyoke includes the study of Dance Theory and Performance Studies.