About the course

The Ph.D. in Critical Dance Studies (formerly the Ph.D. in Dance History and Theory) at UC Riverside supports the pursuit of innovative research in the field of cultural, political, and historical studies of dance. Inaugurated in 1993, the program is widely recognized as the preeminent site for intellectual inquiry into dance, corporeality, movement, choreography, and performance.

　　UC Riverside’s Department of Dance features an outstanding faculty of nationally and internationally recognized scholars and artists. The Ph.D. program’s explicit focus on dance studies and large concentration of Critical Dance Studies faculty distinguish it from doctoral programs in performance studies, theater studies, and cultural studies. At the same time, the program is committed to interdisciplinary models of dance scholarship that draw on a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches. Our Critical Dance Studies Ph.D. program is equally distinct for the relationship it maintains with the students and faculty in the M.F.A. program in Experimental Choreography, inaugurated in 2001.

　　In their scholarship, Critical Dance Studies faculty engage with critical race theory, feminist studies, gender and sexuality studies, political economy, and performance studies. They employ methods including embodied research, choreographic analysis, oral history, dance ethnography, critical theory, and archival studies. Faculty research continually expands the field of Dance Studies while also contributing to fields such as American Studies, African American Studies, Latin American Studies, Hip Hop Studies, Indigenous and Decolonial Studies, as well as South Asian and South Asian Diaspora Studies.

　　Our Ph.D. students pursue an equally extraordinary diversity of research agendas. Some recent projects have critically analyzed Contemporary Dance at the U.S.-Mexican Borderland, Jewish-ness, Dance, and Humor, Raqs Sharqi in Cairo, Amateur Ballroom Dance in Mormon and Same Sex Communities, White Christian Dance in the U.S., Ongoing Indigenous Dance Practices, Black Concert Dance in Montréal, Bharata Natyam in Sri Lanka, Concert Dance and/as Autobiography, Black Concert Dance and Masculinities, Second Lines in New Orleans, Female Lion Dancers in Chinatowns, Histories of Dance, Food, and Audience Engagement, Dance, War, and Repetition, Modern Dance and Yoga Histories, Tango and Neoliberalism, and Ballet and State Power in Ukraine.

　　Graduates have gone on to secure full-time academic positions nationally and internationally at schools such as UCLA, Florida State University, University of Florida, Davidson College, Colorado College, Bowdoin College, University of Minnesota, University of Illinois, University of Nebraska, Rutgers University, University of Washington, California State University Long Beach, Elon University, University of Kansas, York University (Canada), Middlesex University (UK), University of Surrey (UK), University of Malaya (Malaysia), University of Malta (Malta), and Taipei National University of the Arts (Taiwan). Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 6 Semester(s)Fees: US$79,632

Intake	Location
Winter (January), 2021	Riverside
Winter (January), 2023	Riverside
Spring (March), 2023	Riverside
Fall (September), 2024	Riverside
Fall (September), 2025	Riverside

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for University of California

To provide the demonstration of analytical and interpretive skills required by the application process, applicants may submit a statement of background about experience in dance history and theory, or a previously prepared research paper, or the equivalent. Prerequisites include:

　　A working knowledge of movement,

　　An acquaintance with some system of movement observation and analysis, and

　　Preparation in general historical and cultural studies. GRE scores are required and must be submitted by January as part of the application process

　　The minimum acceptable scores are: 550 for the revised TOEFL paper-delivered test and 80 for the TOEFL iBT. Ielts - The minimum acceptable overall score is 7 with no score less than 6 on any individual component.

　　Graduate programs require three (3) letters of recommendation.

　　Applicants must submit these essays directly into their online application. Please note that each essay should not duplicate the other. We also do not accept a personal resume or curriculum vitae as a response to either essay.

　　

English language requirements

　　7.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 80.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at University of California. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　251st / 1250

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