Bachelor of Music in Dance

The qualification provides qualifiers with graduate-level skills, applied competencies and knowledge in various fields of dance to equip them for employment in the South African cultural arena as performers, educators and researchers.The qualification will also significantly heighten the understanding of learners of the traditions of dance and enable them to use these as a tool to further the upliftment and integration of all sectors of South African cultural society.The qualification will build discerning audiences able to evaluate dance as a medium of entertainment and communication critically.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirement

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor studies.

1. Understand and critically appreciate the contribution of major artistic and cultural activities and performances to community and national life and participate in such performances and activities.
2. Use information technology, including the internet, to find and access information efficiently and independently.
3. Acknowledge the limitations of his or her own expertise and elicit the more appropriate expertise of others.
4. Appreciate the importance of life-long learning and the importance of self-initiative in pursuing it. Understand and internalise as a personal value the importance of conducting diverse cultural and professional activities within the scope of national, provincial, municipal and international law.

The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes

• Dance performers must meet generally accepted and recognised international standards of technical execution and artistry.
• Dance teachers must demonstrate the ability to impart the theory of movement to a pupil, as well as to instil a level of musicality, style and technique into the learner.
• Choreographers must be able to translate theory, subject matter and imagery into movement by satisfactorily adapting style and available technical expertise to meet their scenario.
• Dance scholars must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of all the components of dance (history, background, music, technique) and be able to use available technology to relate such knowledge.

Integrated Assessment

The BMus in Dance qualification structure is dependent on a system of continuous assessment of specific outcomes throughout the four years of study.

In all years of study, learners are assessed on their ability to

• Organise facts and ideas in a logical and coherent fashion.
• Perform publicly and/or in examination situations.
• Complete assignments in subjects that require narrative, notational and related conceptual skills.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need to cite references accurately.
• Demonstrate the ability to represent and consider view and perspectives alternative to his or her own.
• Demonstrate computer literacy, critically literacy, critical reasoning and numeracy.

The Dance qualification consists of practical and theoretical components.

The two components are assessed in the following ways

• The practical assessment is done through regular technical tests, public performance and performance in examination conditions.
• The theoretical assessment takes the form of research projects, essays and seminars, as well as regular written examinations.
• In the final year, there is an emphasis on the application of knowledge and skills, and more integrative, formative tasks, which vary according to the learner's choice of specialisation, e.g. performers are required to prove their competence through public performance, while teachers undergo an apprenticeship in schools as well as having to demonstrate their competence as teachers.
• Every learner for the BMus in Dance is also required to complete a capstone project related to his or her subject of specialisation, but encapsulating the body of knowledge acquired during the four years of study. This project is assessed by way of essay or public performance, and public seminar and oral examination, and is the factor determining the awarding of the qualification.