Learning Goals

At Luther College, students who engage in dance classes become more aware of themselves and the other bodies around them (they learn how to navigate space, time, weight, and flow). Dance students find that communication consists of motion, words, and sensations (they increase their literacy and articulacy of body and mind).  As dance students collaborate with others, they learn more about their bodies through movement (they develop kinesthetic intelligence through somatic practices). Students in dance classes learn how to access their imagination to develop new ideas and metaphorical understanding (they become more innovative and creative). Dance students often continue to learn and experiment outside of classroom hours (they are self-disciplined and inspired to develop their own research in dance artistry and movement in life & art).

Student Perspectives

Some recent graduates and current students have spoken about dance and their experiences during their journey at Luther. 

Abigail Suhr ('18)

"Because of the dance classes at Luther, I have become more aware of the lines of muscle that wrap around my body, the bony landmarks that connect them, and how to use my body planes to bring it all together. My connectedness to self has helped me take care of my body and prevent injuries since I listen to my body as well as my mind."

Nicole Niehaus ('16)

"I see that I can actually live through my body, other than how I intended.  If we all seep, down deeply into ourselves, we may find a whole universe of different ways of looking at the world, at ourselves, our thoughts, feelings, actions, the weather, our peers… everything could be different.  Listening and going in to the body really challenges everything you think you already know.  Dance and movement analysis makes me break down my wall, and I see the world in a way I have never seen before."

Sara Maronde ('15)

"Not only do dance courses at Luther provide a pathway for experiential learning, but they allow me to engage in critical thinking at every moment.  Movement is a process of change.  By actively seeking a discipline that uses change as its fundamental basis for learning I am prepared to transfer my experience at Luther to face a global community with a fluid and adaptive mind frame."