Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Dance Course content
Key information
You will learn a range of Modern and Contemporary Dance Techniques, Choreography, Ballet and movement awareness techniques such as Yoga, Pilates and Feldenkrais. You will have the opportunity to engage with other dance practices such as Aerial Dance, Hip hop, Flamenco, and Irish traditional dance. You will gain the contextual understanding and the critical, analytical and reflective skills which will inform your artistic practice.
In first year, you will focus and develop your performance practice and be introduced to a critical academic engagement with classical, popular, traditional and world music and dance through a performative lens. From second year onwards, in addition to continuing your physical dance training, you will undertake specialist modules in dance studies, experiential anatomy and movement analysis, research skills, arts and health as well as dance pedagogy. You will also engage in other training such as voice and acting, Dance for Camera and choreographic thinking—all skills that will add to your employability after you graduate.
In your third year, the Co-operative education period allows you to construct your own work-experience, giving you invaluable knowledge about the opportunities open to you when you graduate. The programme prepares you for many different career paths including professional performance; further study; work in cultural institutions; media related posts; archival work; performance production; teaching dance and portfolio careers which combine these elements in entrepreneurial ways.
Semester 1
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4101 | Performance 1A |
| MD4091 | Irish World Academy Practicum C1 |
| MU4001 | Critical Encounters with Irish Music and Dance |
| MU4011 | Critical Encounters with World Music and Dance |
| Electives | Information below |
Semester 2
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4102 | Performance 2A |
| MD4111 | Irish World Academy Practicum C2 |
| MU4012 | Critical Encounters with Western Art Music and Dance |
| MU4002 | Critical Encounters with Popular Music and Dance |
| Electives | Information below |
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Semester 3
| Module title | Module code |
|---|---|
| MD4103 | Performance 3A |
| MD4092 | Irish World Academy Practicum C3 |
| MD4123 | Dance Studies 1 |
| MD4113 | Performing Arts Technology |
| Electives | Information below |
Semester 4
| Module title | Module code |
|---|---|
| MD4124 | Performance 4A |
| MD4112 | Irish World Academy Practicum C4 |
| MD4134 | Experiential Anatomy and Movement Analysis |
| MD4034 | Contextualising and Vocational Studies 3 |
| Electives | Information below |
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from a range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Semester 5
| Module title |
|---|
| Cooperative Education |
Semester 6
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| Optional international exchange available | |
| MD4106 | Performance 5A |
| MD4116 | Irish World Academy Practicum C5 |
| MU4106 | Arts and Health |
| MU4013 | Research Skills: Ethnomusicology/ Ethnochoreology/ Arts Practice |
| Electives | Information below |
Cooperative Education
In their 3rd year, Irish World Academy performing arts students go on ‘co-op’, a university-wide module specifically designed for undergraduates to engage in real-world, professional environments. The Cooperative Education division, in consultation with the Academy, helps students to identify working opportunities in a variety of contexts, including arts management, education, performance, media and related fields. Students are encouraged to set up their own six-month placements or to engage in split placements (ideally no more than two placements) in order to explore if their expectations for future careers match the experiences they have during the co-op period. Faculty visits, pre- and post- co-op assessment skills, and final report help students to reflect upon the process, enabling them to critically evaluate their time off campus.
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Semester 7
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4137 | Performance 6A |
| MD4147 | Irish World Academy Practicum C6 |
| MD4157 | Irish World Academy Final Year Project 1 |
| MU4007 | Professional Skills for the Performing Arts |
Semester 8
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| MD4118 | Performance 7A |
| MD4128 | Irish World Academy Practicum C7 |
| MD4138 | Irish World Academy Final Year Project 2 |
| MD4148 | Dance Pedagogy |
| Electives | Information below |
Electives
In addition to their core modules, each year students choose from a large number of elective modules in dance and music, and other subjects outside of the performing arts. These elective modules offer students the opportunity to enhance their educational experience, and broaden their artistic and academic horizons. Elective options vary from year to year but typically students can choose from range of vocal and instrumental ensembles (from Academy choir to Irish traditional music ensemble), songwriting classes, lectures in country music, courses in choreography, North American percussive dance, Irish folklore and history, and various languages, including Irish.
Frequently asked questions
Can a complete beginner do this course?
You need to have performing experience in a dance style/genre before embarking on this course.
Do I have to be able to perform in all of the genres represented in the course?
No. You need to show proficiency in at least one dance area. An open mind and a willingness to engage with other genres and disciplines will also a requirement.
Do musicians, singers and dancers follow the same course?
No, but you will attend the same academic modules across all five undergrad programmes (below) in the first-year, musicians, singers and dancers. At the same time, you will specialise in your own dance training. Then at the commencement of the second year, you will start studying more into your specialist area, e.g. Dance Studies, Experiential Anatomy and Movement Analysis, Dance Pedagogy, etc.
BA Irish Traditional Music
BA Irish Traditional Dance
BA Contemporary Dance
BA Voice
BA Music
What teachers will I have?
Drawing from a faculty of industry performers and academics from around the world, as well as industry professionals and international guest artists and researchers, the programme prepares you for many different career paths. Master classes and workshops are also provided by visiting professional dance practitioners and artists throughout each semester.
Will I get the chance to do work experience in an area that I am interested in?
Yes, each student has the opportunity to gain work experience in their area of interest in semester 5 during their Cooperative Education placement, i.e. semester 1 of 3rd year.
Will I get the chance to study abroad?
Yes. Each student is given the option of studying at a number of institutions around the world for semester 6, i.e. semester 2 of 3rd year.
Is this solely a performance programme?
No, you will also engage in academic and vocational classes. Performance is an important part of your training but engaging in other areas such as Arts and technology, Arts and Health, Dance Pedagogy, Anatomy and Movement Analysis and Professional skills are all equally important. This gives you more career opportunities upon completing the course.
What does the audition consist of?
Auditions normally take place at the end of March, beginning of April or in mid-July for late applicants and change-of-mind applications, although the Academy is flexible if applicants have difficulty with these dates. Applicants will have the option of either completing a face-to-face or online audition process. In auditions, students need to show a good standard of performance. Both audition processes takes the form of performing a prepared solo (any genre e.g. contemporary, hip-hop, ballet) of no more than 2-3 minutes duration. This will be followed by the interview process (10min).
