DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN DANCE
Low-residential Intensive Doctoral Study for the Dance Professional
* Doctoral Handbook (pdf)
* Appendix A: Progression of Doctoral Study (pdf)
* Appendix B:_Preliminary_Program_Proposal (doc)
* Appendix C: Doctoral Degree Plan (pdf)
* Appendix D: Assessment Rubrics for the Doctoral Program (pdf)
* Ph.D. 2010 Summer Handbook (doc)
* The TWU Student Handbook
Mission of the Ph.D. in Dance Program
The Ph.D. in Dance is a research-oriented program connecting theory with practice in such contexts as artistic process, dance studies, pedagogy, and the scholarship of teaching. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities for established professionals in the field -- dancers, choreographers, teachers, and other dance practitioners -- to develop qualitative methodologies for theorizing artistic practice as well as the research/writing skills necessary for contributing new theoretical knowledge to the field of dance.
Low-Residential Format for Established Dance Professionals
The low-residency Ph.D. program is structured to meet the needs of students wanting to maintain their professional responsibilities while pursuing doctoral studies. On-campus residencies consist of summer intensives, as well as one-week campus visits during the fall and spring semesters. Students will be continually engaged in their coursework throughout each semester and will work closely with faculty and their doctoral colleagues in the program. The residential intensives, interwoven with web-based interactions, will facilitate scholarly discourse intended to connect the exploration of artistic practice and pedagogy with students’ professional and research interests.
The low-residential format is designed for students entering the program with strong backgrounds in artistic practice, dance writing, analysis, and/or pedagogical practice. The ideal prospective student will have been engaged in professional practice in higher education and/or artistic settings for five or more years, as well as having breadth of knowledge in the discipline of dance and well-developed professional writing skills. Students applying for the low-residential format must be continuously enrolled throughout the duration of the coursework and attendance is required for all on-campus residencies.
It is possible for those enrolled in the low-residential format to be in-residence should they be on sabbatical or granted professional leaves. If this is possible, students may elect to be in full-time residence for a semester or longer. In every instance, we encourage doctoral students to connect their professional practice to their coursework in the program and their personal research agendas. On-going conversations between the TWU faculty and doctoral students, both on and off campus, shape and stimulate scholarly discourse that will lead to personally and professionally relevant contributions of new knowledge to the field of dance.
Length of Study
The doctoral course work requires at least two years of study (3 summer intensives with week-long residencies in the fall and spring semesters) followed by the Qualifying Examinations, and typically 2-3 years for researching and writing the dissertation. The length of time to complete coursework, however, will depend on the academic and dance background of the student in relation to her or his proposed area of research. The time-line and schedule for each student will be determined through advisement in accordance with the policies established by the Graduate School (See the Graduate Catalog, “General Requirements and Regulations for Doctoral Degrees”). Given the nature of the low-residential program, it is extremely important that doctoral students pursing the degree in this format adhere to the sequence of courses and scheduled residencies. The length of time to complete the dissertation depends on the nature of the research, as well as personal and professional obligations. Currently, the majority of our dissertation students are pursuing full-time employment while working with their dissertation advisors via telephone and on-line technology.
Required Hours
Work leading to the Ph.D. in Dance requires the completion of at least 90 semester credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. It is possible to transfer up to 45 credit hours from work leading to the master's degree or courses taken at another accredited institution. In some cases, a candidate may need to complete more than 90 semester hours in order to meet the individual requirements determined by her or his Advisory Committee. The completion of a number of hours, however, is not in itself sufficient; the nature, quality, rigor, and currency of work are the major considerations. All degree requirements, including dissertation, must be completed within ten consecutive years from the date doctoral credit is first earned.
Hours that are part of a completed master's degree are not subject to the 10-year time limit and may be used toward the 90 hours required for the doctoral degree. In consultation with the Advisory Committee, a student may elect to take courses at another institution and transfer those hours to TWU. Any transfer hours not part of a completed master’s degree are subject to the 10-year time limit. At least fifty percent of the work counted toward the doctoral degree program must be composed of courses taken at TWU.
Application and Admission Sequence: When Can I Begin the Doctoral Program?
The low-residential Ph.D. in Dance is a cohort program in which students are admitted to the program only every other year to begin study in the summer of even years (Summer 2012; Summer 2014). Students enrolled in the program, including those who may choose to be in residence, comprise the “Doctoral Cohort” and work together with the faculty to create the doctoral learning community.
During the two years of coursework, all doctoral students must be continually enrolled, follow the prescribed sequence of courses, and attend all on-campus residencies.
No new doctoral students will be admitted to begin study in summers of odd years (Summer 2011; Summer 2013).
Ph.D. Program of Study
The doctoral program of study is comprised of: 1) Coursework, including research tools, 2) Qualifying Examinations, and 3) Dissertation.
Coursework and Residency Calendar for 2012-2014
Note: The last digit of the course number indicates the number of semester credit hours.
Summer 2012 Residency Dates: June 4 – July 6, 2012 (5 weeks)*
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DNCE 6113 Seminar: Scholarly Inquiry in Dance |
|
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Epistemology of the Body | |
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Movement Analysis, Description, and Theory Generation |
Fall 2012 Residency Dates: Saturday, October 20 – Saturday, October 27, 2012
| DNCE 5243 Pedagogical Foundations for Dance |
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Designing Online Learning Visual Resources as Research Data |
| DNCE 6913 Individual Study or Directed Reading |
Spring 2013 Residency Dates: Saturday, February 23 – Saturday, March 2, 2013
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: The Aesthetics of Art Making |
| DNCE 6213 Current Issues in Historical Inquiry |
| DNCE 6913 Individual Study or Directed Reading |
Summer 2013 Residency Dates: June 3-June 28, 2013 (4 Weeks)
| DNCE 6313 Philosophical Inquiry |
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Scholarly Writing and Presentation of Research |
Fall 2013 Residency Dates: Saturday, October 19 – Saturday, October 26, 2013
| DNCE 5903 Special Topics: Theorizing Performance Process |
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Qualitative Research Methodologies |
| DNCE 6913 Individual Study or Directed Reading |
Spring 2014 Residency Dates: Saturday, February 22 – Saturday, March 1, 2014
| DNCE 6023 Critical Analysis: Theory Analysis & Theory Development Research |
| DNCE 6913 Directed Reading |
Summer 2014 Two-Week Residency Dates: June 21 – July 3, 2014 (2 weeks)*
| DNCE 6023 Critical Analysis: Research Colloquium |
Note: Residency dates for 2012-14 are pending final approval of the University Calendar.
Research Tools
The doctoral degree is granted in recognition of a marked capacity for research as well as independent and comprehensive scholarship. Therefore, in addition to the other requirements for the degree, doctoral students are required to demonstrate competence in scholarly inquiry and in the use of research tools related to their research interests and the field of dance. Students must demonstrate competency in their research tools prior to taking the Qualifying Examinations. These research tools comprise coursework equivalent to a least 12 credit hours and include the following: 1) Movement observation and analysis applied to research contexts, 2) Research conceptualization and design, and 3) Data gathering, analysis, and interpretation related to specific instances of researching dance praxis. Competency is demonstrated by successful completion of the following courses.
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Movement Analysis, Description and Theory Generation |
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Scholarly Inquiry |
| DNCE 6113 Seminar: Qualitative Research Methodologies |
| DNCE 6023 Critical Analysis: Theory Analysis & Theory Development Research |
Qualifying Examinations
The Qualifying Examinations are comprised of written and oral examinations. The student proposes four areas for the written portion of the examination: two areas focus on breadth in the discipline, the third area focuses on the specific area of dissertation research, and the fourth area focuses on the research methods and scholarly competencies necessary to undertake dissertation research. The format for the Qualifying Examinations consists of researching and writing four scholarly 20-30 page papers during a 4-6 week period. The two-hour oral examination addresses the content of the written portion of the examinations as well as areas related to the proposed dissertation research, pedagogical applications, and professional contexts.
Dissertation -- 12 Credit Hours
The dissertation is based upon research that makes an original contribution to the literature in the field of dance. Students are encouraged to develop an association with members of the faculty early in their studies with a view to identifying an area of research of mutual interest. In addition to required courses students are expected to develop a plan of focused reading that will lead in a direct way to the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to complete dissertation research. Up to 12 credit hours of dissertation may be counted toward the 90 hours required for the degree.
| DNCE 6983 Dissertation I (Prospectus) |
| DNCE 6983 Dissertation I (Prospectus/ Dissertation) |
| DNCE 6993 Dissertation II (Dissertation) |
| DNCE 6993 Dissertation II (Dissertation) |
Final Oral Examination: An oral defense of the dissertation is required and is a public presentation for the Department and invited guests.
Texas Woman’s University • Department of Dance
Doctor of Philosophy in Dance
Admission Requirements and Application Procedures
Application for admission to the Graduate School is made through the Office of Admissions and must be completed online at: www.applytexas.org. Applicants should submit a completed application for admission to the Graduate School and request that official copies of transcripts from all previous college work be forwarded directly to Texas Woman’s University Student Records Processing, P.O. Box 425649, Denton, TX.
Applicants must meet the general University requirements for admission to the Graduate School as set forth in the current Graduate Catalog (See section entitled “Admission to the Graduate School”). The GRE is no longer required for admission to the Graduate School. In addition to these general requirements, admission to the Ph.D. program in Dance requires the following:
- A master's degree in dance or a related field of study from an accredited college or university or equivalent professional experience demonstrated by a record of significant scholarly achievement (dancemaking and/or research and writing).
- An academic record reflecting the ability to pursue advanced study and research in the field of dance.
- Proficiency in written, verbal, and movement communication skills.
- Experience in the field of dance to include teaching, performing, choreographing, and/or other related practice.
An interview is required for admission to the doctoral program, either in person or over the phone. Qualified applicants will be contacted by the Department of Dance Recruitment Coordinator to schedule an interview.
Prospective students are encouraged to apply early and complete all application materials by the December 1, 2011 priority deadline in order to receive consideration for available scholarships and assistantships. In most cases, assistantships are available only to students who are in residence full-time. Need a year here?
The following materials and the Department of Dance Application Information Form should be sent directly to the Chair of the Department of Dance.
- A curriculum vitae highlighting educational and artistic experience in dance.
- Three letters of recommendation from academic or artistic professionals who can address your teaching, academic, and/or artistic preparation and potential for success in doctoral study.
- A 300-500 word statement of interests and objectives which includes 1) an indication of your professional goals, 2) previous artistic, academic and career experience related to these goals, and 3) the importance of doctoral study in the pursuit of your professional goals.
- A sample of scholarly or professional writing no longer than 15 pages (double-spaced; 12 pt. font) such as a position paper, a journal article manuscript or publication, conference presentation, in-depth critical analysis of dance practice, or a grant application.
- A 3-5 page course syllabus for a university-level course that integrates dance practice and dance theory or a 3-5 page description of a professional-level artist residency workshop of your own design.
Although TWU has a rolling admissions policy, applications for admission to the 2012 doctoral cohort should be received no later than December 1, 2011 for priority consideration.
Please visit the TWU Department of Dance website at www.twu.edu/DANCE and the TWU Graduate School website at www.twu.edu/gradschool.
If you have questions please e-mail us at Dance@twu.edu or lcaldwell2@twu.edu. You may also call us at 940-898-2086.
Please send the Department of Dance application materials to:
Chair, Department of Dance Texas Woman's University P.O. Box 425708 Denton, TX 76204-5708Course Descriptions for Required Doctoral Coursework
DNCE 6113 Seminar: Scholarly Inquiry in Dance. Theoretical models and practical methodologies for developing rigorous and credible approaches to the study of praxis-oriented endeavors that are shaped by the reciprocity of reflection and physicality. Focus will be on qualitative traditions as well as innovative analytical and interpretive strategies for theory-generating research.
DNCE 6113 Seminar: Epistemology of the Body. Study of epistemological frameworks for understanding what it means to “know in the body” with an emphasis on the exploration of the relationship between self-generated movement and processes of self-learning and self-change.
DNCE 6113 Seminar: Movement Analysis, Description, and Theory Generation. Exploration of diverse methods for analyzing and describing the moving body in space with emphasis placed on how visual and written movement descriptions provide data for theory generation. (This course requires movement participation and takes place in the dance studio.)
DNCE 6113 Seminar: The Aesthetics of Art Making. Exploration of the nature of art, dance, and aesthetic inquiry as points of entry for studying how we articulate, question, and consider possibilities in the dancemaking process. Using “what-we-do-as-artists-in-the-studio” as the paradigm, this course focuses on the ideas, reflections, explorations and physical practices that lead artists to their own aesthetic theories of dancemaking.
DNCE 6113 Seminar: Designing Online Visual Resources as Research Data. Development of methodologies for connecting visual images with written narratives to create research data. Employing online learning formats, students will develop diverse methods for submitting and publishing research in electronic formats.
DNCE 5243 Pedagogical Foundations for Dance. Exploration of the relationship between pedagogical vision and the principles that inform the processes of theorizing a personal pedagogical philosophy for teaching dance in higher education. Beginning with the body as the universe of discourse, and using it as a metaphor for examining the concept of engaged pedagogy, this course addresses the politics of race, class, sex, age, ableness, gender and body type, and its influence on the scholarship of teaching in the 21st century.
DNCE 6213 Current Issues in Historical Inquiry. Investigation of how dance practice over time and across cultures has shaped the presentation of dance in contemporary society. The role of movement appropriation, dance reconstruction, and current theories of gendered bodies in relation to movement will be addressed. Developing methods for writing history as a living art will be practiced.
DNCE 6313 Philosophical Inquiry. Engagement in philosophical aesthetics as a process of questioning and examining ontological and epistemological issues related to the individual research interests of the students. Metaphoric process, hermeneutics, critical theory, and the presence of physicality in philosophical writing will provide points of entry for developing philosophical research projects.
DNCE 6113 Seminar: Scholarly Writing and Presentation of Research. Engagement in creating written and visual images that open possibilities for how texts are read and imagined. Writing improvisations, peer critiques, and a variety of writing/image-making projects will provide experiences for developing scholarly writing and presentations that fit the specific needs of the student’s research.
DNCE 5903 Special Topics: Theorizing Performance Process. Exploration of the performance process and the interactive relationship of the performer’s body and the choreography within the context of a performance-in-the-making. A theoretical framework of personal history, self-directed learning, personal empowerment and physical engagement provides a way to examine the praxis of the performer as both knowledge user and knowledge producer.
DNCE 6113 Seminar: Qualitative Research Methodologies Exploration of qualitative research methodologies including phenomenological, critical, and feminist perspectives in connection to the student’s particular research interests. Responsible and ethical practices for conducting interviews, engaging in participant observation, creating action research studies, and designing and implementing qualitative projects will be developed throughout the course.
DNCE 6023 Critical Analysis – Part I: Theory Analysis & Theory Development Research. Study of the evolving nature of discourse in dance, examination of the relationship between theory and research, and development of relevant strategies for analyzing, evaluating and creating/constructing theory. With a focus on investigating theoretical and/or meta-theoretical problems, students will pursue individual research inquiries with a view to preparing the groundwork for their dissertation studies; emphasis on qualitative data analysis, interpretation and theorizing from data.
DNCE 6023 Critical Analysis – Part II: Research Colloquium. Presentation of research from Part I with critical responses and community discourse.
DNCE 6913 Individual Study: Directed Reading. Development of an independent reading program in the area of dissertation research as well as the specific areas for the Qualifying Examinations.
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