Undergraduate courses

This course is designed for non-dance majors. An introduction to South Asian Dance

An Introductory study of the techniques of hip hop.

DJD Jazz Technique

Historical survey of western theatre dance.

From the economy to the environment and from politics to entertainment, creativity is an endlessly renewable resource that offers benefits for all citizens and may well be the most important human element for our future. Students from all disciplines can investigate the practices and processes of creativity and explore the ways in which it can help enrich their lives.

Open to non-drama majors and minors

This course involves investigating personal/group creative process; facilitation of performance forms that may include sound and movement exploration, storytelling structures, collaborative and solo creation of original performance.  

The course has proved extremely valuable to students from all departments looking to improve and grow in the areas of presence, creativity, physicality, public speaking, problem solving and expanding comfort zones. These skills are a benefit to any form of 'performing', such as giving presentations, interviewing, pitching, speaking engagements and of course, theatre. The in-class assignments are a balance of solo and group creation.  

This course is an introduction to the fundamental skills and concepts of staged violence.

The emphasis will be on the development of the core techniques of unarmed stage combat and the application of those techniques within a performance scenario. Focus will be given to partnering, accuracy, and the discipline required to protect the actor and their instrument when engaged in staged violence.

This course will introduce writers at any levels to the essentials of writing for the stage, screen or radio. Students will explore character, dramatic action, dialogue and structure. Students will support each other from initial idea to finding the structure that best suits their chosen form. 

Directed listening and analysis of jazz forms from the early beginnings of jazz to the present. Styles examined range from Early Jazz to Jazz-Rock Fusion. Major figures considered include: Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

50 Years of Rock Music is a multimedia survey course exploring the history of rock music from its pre-1950s predecessors through to present day. Discussions will cover a wide range of artists, styles, periods and genres, including detailed analyses of significant works. In addition to providing students with an in-depth look at many of rock music’s significant musical milestones, this course will assist students in developing a greater appreciation of popular music in general and position significant artists and works within their socio-historic context.

Detailed ethno-musicological examination of non-Western traditions. This course is designed to investigate the music of several of the world’s cultures. Students will develop an understanding of musical structure, style, the differing cultures’ aesthetic viewpoints, and the music's function and context within those diverse societies. Students will encounter new musical expressions as well as the corresponding world-views and philosophies that accompany them.

Detailed ethno-musicological examination of non-Western traditions. This course is designed to investigate the drumming traditions of several of the world’s cultures. Students will develop an understanding of musical structure, style, the differing cultures’ aesthetic viewpoints, and the music's function and context within those diverse societies. By playing various rhythms students will develop drumming skills and will become familiar with the rhythms and techniques of selected drumming traditions including African, Arabic, Brazilian, Cuban, Indian, Japanese and Middle Eastern traditions

This course is designed to investigate the popular music of several of the world’s cultures. Students will develop an understanding of musical style, the differing cultures’ aesthetic viewpoints, and the music's function and context within those diverse societies. Students will also engage in the critical examination of the music industry in various countries, as well as the socio-political context of popular music in those societies.

This course is designed to investigate the popular music of several of the world’s cultures. Students will develop an understanding of musical style, the differing cultures’ aesthetic viewpoints, and the music's function and context within those diverse societies. Students will also engage in the critical examination of the music industry in various countries, as well as the socio-political context of popular music in those societies.

This interactive and engaging course will provide a general overview into music therapy. Participants will learn about current research and clinical examples in music therapy across the lifespan. Experiential and hands-on interventions will underpin this knowledge through practical activities for example improvisation, lyric analysis or song writing. We will explore how music therapy is used within mental health, educational or community-based settings.

Introduction to politics, strategies, and practices of marketing and fundraising as they apply to non-profit performing arts companies.

An introduction to Latin Dance. Designed for non-Dance majors.

Introductory study of the techniques of ballet.

The music, cultural and political events of the past can be read on the dancing bodies in a variety of different spaces and places.
The urban dance practices of USA and Canada tell a story related to politics, economics, interpersonal issues and struggles of all kind. The stories are embedded in the music and dance of specific neighborhoods of the South Bronx NY, Oakland CA, T.O or YYC. Any number of dance styles, phenomenon or traditions have reached the public realm by exploding in the mainstream of American/Canadian dance, Television or film culture. There are many authentic stories of breaking, house dance culture or the moonwalk that are overshadowed by Hollywood tales. From West African shores to early jazz roots and the social dance floors of North America we can see how urban tradition flourished and gained popularity. SYTYCD and the StepUp franchise tell one story while gang warfare and disenfranchisement and The Electric Boogaloo’s tells another. Students will research and discuss the history of hip hop and streetdance – what we have come to know as urban dance practices. By exploring the history from a cultural perspective, a movement perspective and a political perspective, students will come to know what it is and where it might go from here. In the spirit of inquiry-based learning, students will connect, reflect/wonder, create, investigate and construct thoughts in order to enliven the research. 

Historical survey of dance: origins through the nineteenth century.

An exploration of the elements of story present in the arts and beyond. Story is an exciting, creative, dynamic and universal form of human expression with the potential to engage and inspire students from across departments and disciplines.

Performance Creation in Applied Practices involves investigating personal/group creative process; facilitation of performance forms that may include sound and movement exploration, storytelling structures, collaborative and solo creation of original performance.  

The course has proved extremely valuable to students from all departments looking to improve and grow in the areas of presence, creativity, physicality, public speaking, problem solving and expanding comfort zones. These skills are a benefit to any form of 'performing', such as giving presentations, interviewing, pitching, speaking engagements and of course, theatre. The in-class assignments are a balance of solo and group creation.  

Introduction to the materials of music through development of both aural and written skills.

The history of funk music from its roots in rhythm and blues through its classic formulation in the 1970s to its urban transformation and revival, with an examination of its cultural and social milieu, as well as its evolving musical characteristics. This course does not require previous training in music.

This course aims to present the history and development of radio broadcasting, different genres of radio productions, the practices and theories of radio narrative, and radio’s current state including the Internet and podcasting through a wide range of examples and listening activities. The course will also focus on artistic experimentations with the medium. The students will have an opportunity to produce their own radio etudes and, if the negotiations result positively, to learn about the broadcasting practices of CJSW, the University of Calgary’s radio station.

A multimedia survey course exploring the genre of popular music known as Progressive Rock. The course will include an examination of Progressive Rock’s early history from its psychedelic beginnings, through its heyday in the 1970s, and its legacy in the 1980s and beyond. Discussions will center on a survey of some of Progressive Rock’s most well-known icons and will include detailed analyses and indepth discussions of their works. All lectures will be presented online in video format.