The Barnard College Department of Dance offers an exceptional dance program that is solidly based on the integration of dance as an art form within a liberal arts curriculum. Its core consists of courses designed to link the development of a dancer's artistic skills with techniques of analysis, problem solving, and critical thinking. The faculty, composed of artists and scholars, encourages a dual approach to the art of dance, promoting the development of artistry and personal style through the performance of historical and contemporary dance texts.   The Department strives to give students at all levels of expertise the opportunity to study. It is the department's belief that future artists and dance scholars pursuing their studies within an undergraduate liberal arts program must understand the language, composition, history, and criticism of the art form. Student work meets high creative and scholarly standards, with mentoring by outstanding professionals available in every course offered. A full complement of technique courses is offered in classical ballet and modern dance, as well as other styles, including African dance, Flamenco, Jazz and Tap. The technique courses offered give variety and depth to a department seriously committed to technical competency.   Located in New York City, the Barnard College Department of Dance is able to provide a rich tapestry of dance study. The city is a major center for international performances and is home to a major dance research facility at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts; this environment gives students access to internationally recognized dancers, choreographers, writers, and scholars. With a full-time faculty of scholars, creative artists, and performing artists, as well as part-time dance specialists, a full-time technical director, and a full-time music director, the department sees all of these areas of expertise as essential, mutually supportive, and interactive elements of a dance education within the liberal arts environment.   Read the article from Dance Teacher magazine about department chair, Mary Cochran.   Back to top