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 DA 161: Hip Hop Dance
  Prereq: PDP DA 150 or previous dance/aerobic dance training. Learn hip-hop and street funk dance choreography and get a fitness workout in this fun and challenging class.
• 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.
• PDP DA 180: Jazz, beginning
  A class for first time students of jazz or for students returning after several years without practice. Each semester, the pace of the class is determined by the level of the individuals in the class. Technique class in jazz dance emphasizing mastery of fundamental jazz principles, understanding proper alignment, development of lyrical jazz styles, and learning combinations to traditional jazz and contemporary music. Classes include a warm-up, skills moving across the floor, and work on basic contemporary-jazz choreography.
• PDP DA 229: Ballet, Low Intermediate
  For those either returning to class after a hiatus, or for the student who has taken a Beginner Ballet class, either at BU or in another dance program or studio. The class requires a familiarity with basic ballet concepts such as the positions of the feet, port de bras, ballet terminology, and ballet steps. The class follows the traditional classical ballet class model, beginning with barre exercises designed to increase strength and flexibility, and progressing to center work, including, but not limited to, adagio, pirouettes and other turns, petit and grand allegro, and beats. Particular attention will be placed on aligning the body safely within each student's individual anatomical ability. Live music.
• PDP DA 230: Ballet, Intermediate
  For students at the intermediate level who have studied ballet and have completed PDP DA 229 or the equivalent at a different program or studio. Barre and center work will focus on musicality, dynamic alignment, and expression. Classical ballet combinations will guide students to become more fluid and confident in the ballet technique while developing strength, endurance, flexibility, control, coordination, and breath. Live music.
• PDP DA 240: Modern/Contemporary Dance, Low Intermediate
  Section A1: meets with PDP DA 280, Jazz, Low Intermediate. This low intermediate, multi-genre class meets twice a week. Fast-paced technique class for both genres incorporating Ballet, Yoga, and Pilates with floor work and strength training designed specifically for dancers;. Prerequisites: PDP DA 140, 180, or the equivalent dance training. Section B1: meets with PDP DA 340, Modern/Contemporary, High Intermediate. This multi-level modern/contemporary class meets once a week. The course is an overview of concepts and vocabulary of modern and contemporary technique. Historical, anatomical, and compositional information is interspersed to enhance students' skills in self-expression, injury prevention and putting dance in a cultural context. Prerequisites: intermediate level dance training.
• PDP DA 270: Tap Dance, Intermediate
  For students who have completed PDP DA 170 or the equivalent. This class builds on beginning material not just by learning more complicated steps, but by working with more challenging rhythms and musically sophisticated phrases, as well as improvisational skills. Students will develop strong feet and musical ears relevant to both jazz tap and musical theater tap styles, and ultimately be able to perform choreography and improvise with clarity, timing, style, joy, and confidence. Tap shoes required.
• PDP DA 280: Jazz, Low Intermediate
  Low Intermediate. This low intermediate, multi-genre class meets twice a week. Fast-paced technique class incorporating Ballet, Yoga, and Pilates. Focus is on deepening the understanding of the fundamental vocabulary and exploring concepts to master phrase work and choreography. The class includes units on different traditional and contemporary jazz styles, including Capoeira.
• PDP DA 286: Dance Directed Study
  For dance minors; directed study by arrangement with Micki Taylor-Pinney
• PDP DA 329: Ballet, High Intermediate
  As our highest-level ballet class, students are expected to be fluid in the ballet vocabulary and to have extensive ballet background, either PDP 230 or the equivalent from other programs or studios. Students will continue to refine their classical ballet technique and performance skills with barre and center work focusing on musicality, dynamic alignment, and expression. Combinations within the classical form will develop strength, endurance, flexibility, control, coordination, spatial awareness and breath. Students who are advanced may, with permission, take the class en pointe. Live music.
• PDP DA 330: Pointe, Intermediate Ballet
  For intermediate and high intermediate level students. Introduction or reintroduction to basics of pointe work through Ballet barre and center work with variations taught in last half hour. Students can increase time on pointe based on ability. Meets with PDP DA 329, Ballet, High Intermediate.
• PDP DA 340: Modern/Contemporary Dance, High Intermediate
  Section A1: meets with PDP DA 380, Jazz, High Intermediate. The focus of this high intermediate, multi-genre will be on learning different styles of contemporary choreography, developing the students' performance skills. Prereq: PDP DA 240 or previous experience. Section B1: meets with PDP DA 240, Modern/Contemporary, Low Intermediate. This multi-level modern/contemporary class for low and high intermediate students meets once a week. The course is an overview of concepts and vocabulary of modern and contemporary technique. Historical, anatomical, and compositional information is interspersed to enhance students' skills in self-expression, injury prevention and putting dance in a cultural context. Group and tailored individual corrections will be given to engage and encourage students' curiosity. Prerequisites: intermediate level dance training
• PDP DA 380: Jazz, High Intermediate
  Meets with PDP DA 340, Modern/Contemporary, High Intermediate. This multi- genre class is for those with intermediate dance training be it in jazz, modern/contemporary, or ballet. The focus of this class is on learning different styles of choreography, developing the students' full range of artistry, exploring musicality, performance skills, and concepts of stage presence. Prereq: PDP DA 280 or previous experience
• PDP DA 400: Repertory and Performance
  Prereq: Previous dance training and the instructor's consent. Students are part of the choreographic process as pieces are created or reworked under the supervision of the dance faculty. Weekly rehearsals and timed showings are required. Dances are performed in a Dance Theatre Group concert.
• PDP ER 101: CPR and Basic First Aid
  Students will learn how to perform the lifesaving skills used in respiratory and cardiac emergencies as well as basic treatments for a variety of injuries and illnesses. Topics include bandaging, splinting, wound care, and CPR/AED use for infants, children and adults. Topics will be covered in lecture and reinforced through practical skills. Those who successfully complete and pass the course will be certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED for two years. Class fee includes the required textbook.
• PDP ER 210: Wilderness First Aid
  This is an intermediate first aid course designed for anyone who spends time where medical care is an hour or more away. Students learn how to recognize and treat illnesses and injuries encountered in remote locations. Those who successfully complete the course and pass a written and practical exam become certified in Wilderness First Aid through ECSI for two years. Class fee includes the required textbook.
• PDP ER 250: Healthcare Provider CPR
  In this course, students learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults, children, and infants using a resuscitation mask, bag-valve mask, and automatic external defibrillator as well as more advanced techniques for special rescue situations. Those who successfully complete the course and pass a written and practical exam become certified in Healthcare Provider CPR for a period of two years. Class fee includes the required textbook.
• PDP ER 350: CPR and First Aid Instructor
  Prereq.: Healthcare Provider CPR and First Aid Certification. This class certifies individuals to teach Adult, Child, and Infant CPR with AED, Healthcare Provider CPR as well as Basic First Aid. Class fee includes the required textbooks and materials.
• PDP ER 401: Online Emergency Medical Technician
  This course consists of lectures given online by an instructor teaching in real time. Labs are held on select weekend days in person at Boston University. Ambulance and hospital observations are arranged with local companies and hospitals. Students must have a computer with a functional webcam, speakers and microphone and reliable access to the internet. This course prepares students to take the written and practical EMT exams issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services and the National Registry of EMTs. Successful completion of the class with 100% attendance and passing both the class written and practical exams will make the student eligible for certification as an EMT. Class fee includes the required textbooks, materials, and lab and certification fee for CPR training.

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