Dance Courses
Dance Division's Web Site: Let's Dance Company
PE 452 Introduction to Choreography (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces students to choreography with an
emphasis on basic steps and combinations, creating dances,
terminology, music, and appreciation of dance as a performing
art form.
PE 458 Latin American Dance Cultures (3) UC:CSU
Note: Credit given for only one of Chicano Studies 58 or Dance
Studies 458.
Lecture, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This class focuses on Latin American folk dance appreciation,
studying dance as culture, and how each region manifests its
traditions, history, and lifestyle as expressed through movement.
Students explore and analyze folk dances and how
they are reflected by the worldview of people who practice
them. They also analyze symbolic movements from selected
dances to recognize the quality of movement and the relationship
between religious and secular dances.
PE 814 Dance Production I (1) UC:CSU RPT2
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course develops knowledge and skill in organizing and
handling a dance production. In addition to increasing dance
technique, an opportunity to perform in a dance production
is provided.
PE 820 Dance Production II (4) UC:CSU
Lecture, 2 hours; Laboratory, 4 hours
+ Course Description
This course provides instruction and laboratory experience
in methods and techniques involved in producing a dance
concert: including rehearsal management, scheduling, choreographic
applications, lighting, costuming, publicity, audition
and performance skills, dance critique and assessment.
PE 822 Dance Rehearsal and Performance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course provides students structured rehearsal time which
culminates in a performance. Students participate as dancers
and production personnel and may perform on campus and/
or on tour.
PE 826 Dance Performance Company (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course develops knowledge and techniques to perform
in a professional dance company. In addition to exploring
various dance techniques, it offers an opportunity to choreograph
and perform with the East Los Angeles College Dance
Company, as well as touring opportunities to local schools.
PE 225 Yoga Skills (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course identifies movements, body positions and techniques
of dance to use as therapy--to reduce stress. The
course assists with the development of flexibility and strength in the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems. The course
improves circulation and increases energy levels. Through
the use of dance movements, yoga positions, and breathing
exercises, students practice concentration and relaxation.
PE 325 Body Sculpting for Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course utilizes a combination of weight-bearing devices
and activities within several series of exercises put to music.
Stamina, agility, balance, and coordination (all necessary
skills in dance) increase through the repetitious execution of
floor work, stationary standing, and locomotive exercises all
developed to deliver low weight to major muscle groups and
full range of motion of joints. Over time, muscular endurance
increases, thereby creating a firm and toned physique.
PE 333 Pilates Skills for Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course focuses on the functional muscle mechanics that
enable an individual to move with balance, coordination,
posture, and alignment of the body. Using movements on
the floor and creating kinesthetic awareness, students position
their complex muscle system to achieve strength and
flexibility.
PE 400 Stress Management Techniques Through Dance and Movement (1) CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course helps identify stressor and introduce techniques
of dance and dance therapy. Movement meditations,
therapeutic movement studies, breathing exercises, yoga,
physical therapy and relaxation exercises are introduced.
Multicultural rhythms and dance forms are used to enhance
group experience.
PE 419 Mexican Folklorico Skills (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course teaches skills and dance from six or more of
Mexico’s dance regions. Emphasis is placed on the historical
and cultural context of the development of these dances.
Students learn to execute dance steps and patterns with the
style appropriate to each region. Discussion of costumes and
crafts pertinent to the dances is included.
PE 431 Modern Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This is an introductory course to modern dance designed
to acquaint the student with basic techniques and styles of
modern dance. Emphasis is placed on individual expression of
integration and creativity. Some dance history is emphasized.
PE 434 Ballet (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course emphasizes and introduces students to ballet
through basic steps and combinations, terminology, music,
and appreciation of dance as a performing art form.
PE 437 Jazz Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces students to the basic performance based
dance technique of jazz. Standardized basic steps are
utilized to create an understanding of musical phrasing and
rhythms by combining these steps, as well as other creative
variations, into small dances. Brief historical conversations
of movement ethnology are discussed.
PE 440 Social Dance (1) UC:CSU
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course is an introduction to the basic forms of social dance, with emphasis on Salsa and Latin forms. The history,
music, basic rhythms, and cultural influences of the dances
are covered.
PE 446 Tap Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces students to tap dance with an emphasis
on basic steps and combinations, terminology, music, and
appreciation of dance as a performing art form.
PE 460 Ballet Techniques (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces students to classical ballet through
basic step sequences and combinations, terminology, music,
and appreciation of dance as a performing art form.
PE 462 Modern Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course is an introduction to modern dance. Instruction
includes basic techniques, skill performance, theory, various
styles, and exposure to history and development of modern
dance forms as we know them today. Emphasis is placed on
individual expression and integration of creativity.
PE 463 Modern Jazz (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces students to the basic performance based
dance technique of jazz. Standardized basic steps are
utilized to create an understanding of musical phrasing and
rhythms by combining these steps, as well as other creative
variations, into small dances. Brief historical conversations
of movement ethnology are discussed.
PE 464 Tap Dance Technique (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course provides students the opportunity to learn and
develop tap dance skills. Besides learning the basic elements of
this dance style, emphasis is placed in developing skills to moderate
performance level. In addition, students learn step terminology
and music appreciation for this dance as an art form.
PE 468 Jazz Dance Combination (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces students to an intermediate approach to the performance-based dance technique of Jazz. Standard,
compound and complex basic and intermediate steps are
utilized to create an understanding of musical phrasing and
rhythms by combining these steps, as well as other creative
variations, into small dances. Throughout the course, these
small dances are combined periodically and systematically until
a complete dance or choreographic work has been produced.
Brief historical conversations of movement ethnology will arise.
PE 469 Conditioning for Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course utilizes a combination of movement skills and
activities within several series of exercises put to music. The
five components of physical fitness are developed by incorporating
continuous dance exercises. The motor skills of
stamina, agility, balance, and coordination increase through
the repetitious execution of floor work, stationary standing,
and locomotive exercises all developed to deliver low weight
to major muscle groups and full range of motion about the
joints. Over time, muscular and cardiovascular endurance
increase, thereby creating a firm and toned physique, as well
as a healthy and efficient cardio-respiratory system.
PE 471 Dance Company (1) CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course develops knowledge and skill in organizing and
handling a dance production. In addition to improving dance
technique, an opportunity to choreograph and perform in a
dance production is provided, as well as touring opportunities
to local schools.
PE 472 Social Dance Activities (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course introduces to the basic social dances of waltz,
fox trot, rumba, samba, cha cha, polka, salsa, country western,
swing, disco, tango, novelty, and fad dances. The dance
history and the cultural background of each dance are
presented. Music selection, basic rhythms and cultural influences
on dance and music are also covered.
PE 481 Jalisco Dance Technique (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course presents the dance techniques and styling unique
to the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It includes male and female
movement roles as well interpretation of this vigorous footwork
and skirt movement. It also emphasizes the aesthetic
values necessary to perform to mariachi music.
PE 482 Border to Border: Mexican Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course improves dance performance skills in a variety
of Mexican dance styles. The student learns to interpret
mestizo dances, define male/female roles, footwork styles,
and body movements. It covers the application of artistic
values inherent in each dance studied. Also included is
historical and cultural context of the dances’ development
and discussions of costumes pertinent to each dance.
PE 483 Hip-Hop Dance Skills (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course is an exploration into the basic technique of Hip
Hop and Funk dance. Musicality, rhythms, and various styles
of both Hip Hop and Funk are covered.
PE 484 Banda Aerobics (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
Banda aerobics represents steps and movements of prancing
and trotting of horses. It is commonly known as Banda or
Quebradita. Using this form of dance aerobically, students
are able to increase elasticity of muscles and improve the
cardiovascular system.nt
PE 485 Ritual Dances of Mexico (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course studies the vernacular dance dramas of Mexico.
Students learn to appreciate, demonstrate, and preserve the
values of ritual dance and to understand the dance syncretism.
Students analyze how these “danzas” play a religious and
cultural role in the lives of the performers.
PE 486 Banda Ranchera Technique (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
Banda Ranchera was developed in California among the
Latino community. This social dance, representing steps
and movements of the prancing and trotting of horses, is
commonly known as banda or Quebradita. The dance
improves the cardiovascular system and strengthens muscles.
PE 487 Hip-Hop Techniques (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course provides opportunities to explore the functions
of the body in relationship to music, to develop and condition
the body for Hip-Hop dancing, and acquire and study the
technique of this type of movement.
PE 488 Jalisco Dance Style (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course presents the dance techniques and styling unique
to the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It includes male and female
movement roles as well as interpretation of vigorous footwork
and skirt movement. It also emphasizes the aesthetic value
necessary to perform to mariachi music.
PE 489 Salsa Casino (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course covers an intensified dance technique to develop
skills in Salsa dance style. It begins with basic steps and
learning how to use the floor patterns to develop poise and
character to perform elegant, sophisticated, and attractive steps.
PE 490 Mangrove Salsa (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 2 hours
+ Course Description
This course covers theory and dance technique to develop skills in Salsa dance style. It begins with basic steps and
learning how to use the floor patterns to develop appeal to
perform attractive steps.
PE 535 Dance Team Techniques (2) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 6 hours
+ Course Description
This course focuses on techniques, performance qualities,
and routines for the Dance Team. Students are required to
perform at selected dance department events and/or Dance
Team competitions as part of this course requirement. This
course is required for the East Los Angeles College Dance
Team.
PE 570 Conditioning for Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course develops knowledge and provides skills to condition
the body for dance. In addition to exploring various
conditioning programs, it offers an opportunity to enhance
dance techniques.
PE 600 Pilates for Dance (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course focuses on the functional musculoskeletal alignment
that facilitates muscular force and flexibility at the joint
level. The Pilates method stimulates circulation through
movements that enable an individual to move with balance,
coordination, posture, and poise. Using movements on
the floor, students create kinesthetic awareness and precise
coordination.
PE 668 Body Dynamics (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This course utilizes a combination of movement skills and
activities within several series of exercises put to music. The
components of physical fitness are developed by incorporating
continuous dance exercises. The motor skills of stamina,
agility, balance, and coordination increase through the repetition
of execution of floor work, stationary standing, and locomotive
exercises all developed of deliver low weight to major
muscle groups and full range of motion about the joints.
Over time, muscular and cardiovascular endurance increase, thereby creating a firm and toe physique, as well as a healthy
and efficient cardio-respiratory system.
PE 696 Yoga (1) UC:CSU RPT3
Laboratory, 3 hours
+ Course Description
This introductory yoga course provides conditioning, flexibility,
and endurance to supplement dance techniques. This
class focuses on the development of the body/mind through
the use of specific yoga postures, breathing techniques,
stretches, mental exercises and relaxation exercises to obtain
greater concentration, self-discipline and improved physical,
mental and emotional health.