The mission of the Dance Department is to link critical thinking, analysis, craft, history and creativity with the distinct movement skills derived from studio practice and stage performance. Students are required to work toward proficiency in the particular movement language of Western and/or Eastern dance forms: classical ballet, modern/contemporary dance, jazz dance, and Bharata Naytam (temple dance of India). Students learn to recognize and distinguish the many diverse sources of dance, such as culture (both ancient and pop), mythology, society and nature. Students select a specific area of study within the major: general dance, performance/choreography, or dance history/criticism. The major leads to a bachelor of science degree.