Report summary
The Academy of Dance has been operating since 2008. Between 2013 and 2016, the
institution was dormant, but in the academic year 2016/17, the first generation of
students enrolled under the auspices of the Alma Mater in the study programme
Contemporary Dance was re-launched, and in the same year, the Ballet programme
started to offer certain courses to students enrolled in the Ballet programme. Currently,
the Alma Mater offers a Bachelor's degree programme in Dance, Choreography, which is
divided into 6 courses (Contemporary Dance, Social Dance, Competitive ST/LA Dance,
Jazz, Ballet and Urban Dance). It also offers a Master's degree programme in Dance Arts
Studies, which is divided into 3 courses (Theory of Dance Arts, Contemporary
Choreographic Practices and Dance Pedagogy); a Master's degree programme in Dance
Studies, which is divided into 3 courses (Theory of Dance Arts, Contemporary
Choreographic Practices and Dance Pedagogy); and a Master's degree programme in
Dance Studies, which is divided into 3 courses (Theory of Dance Arts, Contemporary
Choreographic Practices and Dance Pedagogy).
On the basis of a review of the documentation received and the interviews carried out,
the panel of experts concluded that the study programmes Dance, Choreography and
Dance Arts Studies comply with the applicable criteria. The curricula and the units of
study ensure that the fundamental objectives of the study programmes are met. The
relationship between compulsory and elective subjects and artistic-practical and
theoretical subjects is reasonable, as it follows the aim of training for independent
integration between different areas of work and for taking on different roles, which today
overlap closely in the dance arts. At Level 1, it is particularly important for graduates to
be familiar with the components of the artistic and cultural system and be able to work
within the different art forms of dance. At Level 2, it is significant to raise professional
competence and quality in the broader field of contemporary dance arts and all related
professions. In terms of content consistency and coherence, the study programme is
appropriately designed and reflects the cultural, artistic and pedagogical needs for
professionally qualified personnel in the field of dance. The relevance of the learning
outcomes set out in the curricula of the courses to the objectives and competences of the
study programme and to its content is reflected in the fact that the student is equipped
to transfer the acquired knowledge and competences in the narrower scientific and
professional field of the arts and the related humanities after the study.
The subject and curricula of both study programmes show that teaching takes the form
of lectures, seminars, dance exercises and practical training through artistic projects.
Graduates are predominantly self-employed and work professionally in their field of
expertise. Representatives of the so-called "external environment" in the field of dance
art are also actively involved in both study programmes.
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The Academy of Dance has provided a list of higher education teachers — course leaders
— who are foreseen to participate in the 1st and 2nd cycle study programmes. Each unit
holder is elected to the appropriate habilitation title, with the corresponding field of
election, according to the subject. An important part of the quality of the study
programme is represented by the professional colleagues - guest lecturers who are
recognised artists in their field. We advise the Academy of Dance to develop and
strengthen research work in the Master's programme. In the following period, in the
process of expansion, it would be advisable to recruit more teaching staff with relevant
competences and to encourage artistic collaborators to apply for the habilitation degree.
The faculty has provided relevant evidence showing that it currently possesses adequate
material conditions related to the implementation of the study programme, in accordance
with the criteria. As enrolment increases, the need for more work, rehearsal and
performance space will also need to be addressed, and the Academy of Dance is at
present working on this. The higher education institution has adequately equipped
premises with modern IT equipment to carry out the teaching process.
The expert team that evaluated the Dance, Choreography at Level 1 and Dance Arts
Studies at Level 2 programmes concluded that the programmes meet the criteria for
reaccreditation. We suggest that the Academy of Dance integrates the given
opportunities for improvement in a meaningful way into both study programmes.