Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• PDP AQ 101: Beginning Swim I-Introduction to Swimming
  This is a course for swimmers who have had little or no swimming experience. Instruction will focus on basic swimming skills for beginners to advanced beginners. Skills to be covered include: front crawl with rotary breathing, elementary backstroke, backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke, comfort in the deep end of the pool, and treading water.
• PDP AQ 102: Beginning Swim II - Progressive Swim
  Prerequisites: Ability to swim 20 continuous yards of any stroke, ability to float, tread water, and submerge. This is a course for students who have attended PDP AQ 101, Beginning Swim I or who meet the prerequisite requirements of the course. Instruction will focus on basic swimming skills for beginners to advanced beginners. Skills to be covered include: front crawl with rotary breathing, elementary backstroke, backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke, comfort in the deep water, and treading water.
• PDP AQ 201: Intermediate Swim - Stroke Improvement
  Prerequisites: Ability to swim 50 continuous yards of any stroke, 25 continuous yards of the backstroke, and 25 continuous yards of the breaststroke. This course is designed for students who have a solid understanding of front crawl, are familiar with the backstroke, and are comfortable in deep water with emphasis on body form, stroke efficiency, and conditioning of all strokes. Skills to be covered will include: refinement of front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke, and an introduction to butterfly.
• PDP AQ 220: Scuba
  Prereq: Ability to swim 300 yards (with mask, snorkel, and fins) and float for 10 minutes. Students must also complete a medical questionnaire prior to the first day of class. A MD sign off may be required before participation depending on the student's answers to the medical questionnaire. This course is designed to provide students ages 15 years and older all the pool and classroom training needed to become a certified SCUBA Schools International (SSI) Referral Diver. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to seek out any SSI SCUBA Center to upgrade to Open Water Diver or any other SCUBA certification of their choice. No equipment is necessary, and students will leave this course with their own Personal Dive Equipment package (mask, fins, snorkel, booties, and mesh bag).
• PDP AQ 320: Lifeguard Training
  Prereq: Must be at least 15 years old and pass the swim test given by the instructor at the first class. This American Red Cross certification class will prepare students to become certified lifeguards. Students must attend all sessions and pass the prerequisite swim test on the first day of class. Successful completion of all skills, tests, and requirements will result in a two year certification in Lifeguard Training/First Aid/CPR/AED. Students may still receive a passing grade in the course, even if they do not achieve the lifeguard certification.
• PDP AQ 330: Water Safety Instructor
  Prereq: Must be at least 16 years old and pass the swim test given by the instructor at the first class. This certification class will prepare students to become American Red Cross certified swim instructors. Students who pass a written exam and practical skills test receive certification in American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. Lab fee: $115. 1 cr. Spring sem. only.
• PDP DA 100: Pilates-Based Conditioning
  Students will explore the fundamental Pilates techniques. Through simple, targeted exercises, students will increase their flexibility, strength, and core stability yielding improved posture, increased endurance and lowered risk of injury. Beginners and those with previous Pilates experience will find a safe, supportive environment. Exercises can be adapted for all abilities. Come ready to focus, explore and discover!
• PDP DA 111: Ballroom, Beginning
  An introduction to the American Style Ballroom & Rhythm form of partner dancing. For both students with little or no instruction and students who may have taken previous Ballroom & Rhythm classes. Two to three dances are introduced per semester on a rotating basis. American Smooth includes: Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Viennese Waltz. American Rhythm includes: Cha-cha, Rumba, Swing, Mambo, and Bolero. Students will gain confidence in leading and following a partner.
• PDP DA 112: Ballroom, Tango
  An introduction to the American Style Tango. For both students with little or no instruction and students who may have taken previous Tango classes. Students will gain confidence in leading and following a partner.
• PDP DA 113: Ballroom, Swing
  An introduction to the American Style East Coast Swing and elements of Lindy and Foxtrot. For both students with little or no instruction and students who may have taken previous Swing classes. Students will build confidence in their ability to dance, create and enjoy a wide range of Swing music. Students will gain confidence in leading and following a partner.
• PDP DA 114: Salsa and Merengue Ballroom
  An introduction to the Salsa and Merengue. For both students with little or no instruction and students who may have taken previous Swing classes. Students will gain confidence in leading and following a partner.
• PDP DA 115: Ballroom, Latin
  An introduction to the Latin Style of Ballroom dancing. Appropriate for students who have had little or no instruction in this style of dance. In- depth enough for students who may have taken previous Latin Style Ballroom classes for the purpose of building confidence and gaining additional dance experience with a partner. Typically two dances per semester are introduced on a rotating basis: Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cha Cha, Rhumba and/or Argentine Tango. Enjoy learning the skills of both leader and follower.
• PDP DA 129: Ballet, Beginning
  A class for first-time students of ballet or for students returning after several years without practice. Students begin with exercises at the ballet barre designed to teach basic ballet technique and to build strength, flexibility, control, and alignment. With each class, the barre technique is reinforced in the center through movement and traveling phrases. Accompanied by live music.
• PDP DA 130: Ballet, Advanced Beginning
  For students who have some ballet training or who are returning to ballet. Students will learn combinations at the barre and in the center that focus on developing alignment, strength, endurance, flexibility, control, coordination, and musicality. The class will focus on the athleticism of ballet along with development of fluidity by use of port de bras and a sense of musicality. Live music.
• PDP DA 138: Improvisation
  Dancers and non-dancers alike are welcome. The skills developed in this class are applicable to any creative process as well as to everyday life. In this class we engage in exercises and improvisational structures to heighten our awareness, broaden our individual movement vocabulary and develop our skills in instant composition. The class also introduces basic partnering skills and often involves optional performance opportunities. This is a dynamic class that fosters both the ability to work in ensemble as well as strengthening the individual's personal aesthetics and movement style.
• PDP DA 140: Modern Dance, Beginning
  This class is for those who've never taken a dance class before, those who have never studied modern before, or those returning to dance after a hiatus. The course is an overview of four modern dance techniques: Limon, Horton, Graham and Release. The basic concepts, theories, and vocabulary of each technique are explored to improve agility, physical awareness, coordination and expressiveness in a fun and supportive environment. Class includes energizing warm-up and choreography.
• PDP DA 150: Cardio-Jazz Funk
  A funky combination of low-impact aerobics, hip-hop, and jazz dance. Designed to improve muscle tone and cardiovascular strength while learning the fundamentals of jazz dance and the latest dance club moves. No prior dance experience is necessary.
• PDP DA 160: Hip-Hop Dance
  Prereq: PDP DA 150 or previous dance training. Students will engage in full bodied physical movement, while developing confidence and subtle intricacies for a variety of hip hop styles. Class includes a warm-up/work out, progressions across the floor, and choreography. This class will challenge dancers to fully express themselves.
• PDP DA 162: Afro-Fusion
  This course will build upon foundations of traditional and contemporary elements of African and Western dance styles including West African, Caribbean, hip hop, house and jazz dance. Students will engage in full bodied physical movement, while developing confidence and subtle intricacies for a variety of styles. Students will learn progressions across the floor and choreography that challenges them to fully express themselves. Some previous dance/movement training is helpful but not essential.
• PDP DA 170: Tap Dance, Beginning
  This class provides a solid foundation in tap technique and musicality, along with elements of classic repertoire, tap history, and music theory. Students will develop strong, fundamental skills relevant to both jazz tap and musical theater tap styles, and ultimately be able to perform basic steps and patterns with clarity, timing, style, joy, and confidence. Tap shoes required.

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