About the Program
The PhD in Indian Classical Dance at Aria University is the institution's inaugural doctoral degree program. It is a research-centered program focused on advancing original scholarly inquiry into the traditions of Bharatanatyam and Kuchipudi dance. The program is designed to explore the role of Indian classical dance across religious, sociocultural, political, and aesthetic dimensions of past and contemporary society.
The program seeks mature, self-motivated, research-oriented students who wish to conduct original research in the theoretical and practical dimensions of Indian classical dance. It provides a unique opportunity for working adults to pursue doctoral study in a fully online format without the need to relocate.
The curriculum is grounded in the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, which integrates teaching presence, cognitive presence, and social presence. Aria University applies andragogical principles throughout the program, recognizing that doctoral learners are self-directed, internally motivated, and capable of co-creating knowledge through active scholarly participation. The program develops competencies in three interrelated areas:
Academic Competence
Students develop advanced knowledge of the field, including mastery of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of Indian classical dance, critical evaluation skills, and the capacity to make original contributions to the discipline.
Professional Competence
Students acquire the skills, abilities, and dispositions required to apply dance scholarship to areas such as education, research, cultural wellness, human development, and professional practice in the arts.
Transformational Competence
In keeping with Aria University's philosophy, the program blends academic and experiential learning. Students are encouraged to integrate the teachings of canonical texts and scholarly mentors into their intellectual and artistic lives, cultivating a balanced development of values, attitudes, and research practices.
Program Concentrations
The PhD in Indian Classical Dance is offered in two concentrations. Students select one concentration upon admission. Both concentrations share a common core of foundational and research courses and culminate in an original doctoral dissertation.
Concentration in Kuchipudi Dance
Kuchipudi is both a classical dance form and a geographic locale in Andhra Pradesh, South India. Rooted in the Bhagavatamela tradition and shaped by the teachings of Siddhendra Yogi, Kuchipudi evolved from village theatrical performance into a codified classical genre. The form encompasses Yakshaganas, Kalapams, and Nrityanatakams, and reflects layered negotiations of caste, gender, patronage, and performative legitimacy.
This concentration prepares scholars to examine Kuchipudi through textual, choreographic, folkloristic, and sociohistorical lenses.
- Dance 707: Textual Studies in Indian Dance
- Dance 708: Choreography: Interrogating the Body and Mind
- Dance 709: Folkloristics and Oral Traditions
- Dance 710: A Critical Study of the Devadasi System
Students complete 3 of the 4 concentration electives above (9 units).
Concentration in Bharatanatyam Dance
Bharatanatyam, recognized as the first Indian classical dance form in 1945, traces its lineage from the Sadir tradition of the devadasi practice to the Margam format codified by the Tanjore Quartet. Shaped by the Bhakti movement, temple ritual, and the Guru-Shishya Parampara, Bharatanatyam embodies a diversity of Banis and has evolved into a globally recognized tradition of performance and scholarship.
This concentration prepares scholars to engage Bharatanatyam through musicological, choreographic, sociopolitical, and textual frameworks.
- Dance 711: Dance Music through the Ages
- Dance 712: Choreography: Space, Time, Body, and Mind
- Dance 713: Sociopolitical Perspectives on Bharatanatyam
- Dance 714: Sources of Literature: Interpretation and Application
Students complete 3 of the 4 concentration electives above (9 units).
Curriculum and Degree Requirements
The PhD in Indian Classical Dance requires a total of 60 semester units beyond the Master of Arts degree. The curriculum is organized into three components: required core or foundational courses, concentration-specific elective courses, and required research courses culminating in a doctoral dissertation.
The program follows a cohort enrollment model. Cohorts are admitted twice per year, in the Fall and Spring semesters. The academic calendar is based on 15-week semesters. Each 3-unit course requires a minimum of 3 hours of in-class participation and 6 hours of out-of-class study per week. The program is typically completed in 3 years (6 semesters).
| Course | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core / Foundational Courses — 15 Units | ||
| Dance 701 | History of Indian Dance | 3 |
| Dance 702 | Temple Architecture, Agama Shastra, and Dance | 3 |
| Dance 703 | Introduction to Research Skills | 3 |
| Dance 704 | Indian Aesthetics | 3 |
| Dance 705 | Understanding Decolonization in Performing Arts | 3 |
| Dance 706 | Professional Ethics and Performing Arts | 3 |
| Elective Concentration Courses — 9 Units (3 of 4 courses required) | ||
| Kuchipudi Concentration: Dance 707, 708, 709, 710 | Bharatanatyam Concentration: Dance 711, 712, 713, 714 | ||
| Required Research Courses — 36 Units | ||
| Dance 715 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Dance 716 | Mixed-Methods and Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Dance 717 | Doctoral Research and Process: Dissertation Proposal | 3 |
| Dance 718 | Research Group: Part I | 4 |
| Dance 719 | Research Group: Part II | 4 |
| Dance 720 | Dissertation I | 4 |
| Dance 721 | Dissertation II | 4 |
| Dance 722 | Dissertation III | 4 |
| Dance 723 | Dissertation IV | 4 |
| Total Units | 60 | |
Sample Program Timeline
The following schedule illustrates a typical three-year plan of study.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the PhD in Indian Classical Dance, graduates will demonstrate the following program learning outcomes (PLOs):
Demonstrate comprehensive and critical knowledge of the history of Indian dance, the design and architecture of performance spaces, associated music, and canonical texts. Apply this knowledge to interrogate sociopolitical and cultural factors that shape the paradigms of the field.
Develop a nuanced understanding of different elements of culture as expressed through performative, ritualistic, musical, folk, textual, ethnic, and gender perspectives in Indian classical dance traditions.
Acquire proficiency in interpreting and applying theoretical principles to the practice and teaching of the dance discipline under study, encompassing both choreographic inquiry and research-based scholarship.
Demonstrate enhanced communication skills through participation in scholarly debates, discussions, collaborative research groups, and projects that engage a wide range of perspectives across allied disciplines.
Master advanced research methodologies at the doctoral level and demonstrate achievement of these skills through the production of an original, well-researched doctoral dissertation that makes a substantive contribution to the field of Indian classical dance.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the PhD in Indian Classical Dance is selective. A doctoral applicant committee reviews all submitted materials, screens applicants, and conducts interviews before making admission recommendations. The program targets adult learners who are committed to advancing original scholarship in Indian classical dance. Promising candidates who may have a deficiency in one area but demonstrate exceptional strength in other areas may be conditionally admitted after completing prerequisites specified by the faculty.
Program Delivery Format
The PhD in Indian Classical Dance is delivered entirely via distance education. Aria University has offered online academic programs since Spring 2017 and applies a mature andragogical model designed for adult doctoral learners. The program is available to qualified students worldwide and does not require a student visa.
Asynchronous Learning
- Delivered through the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
- Structured course modules prepared by course faculty
- Flexible access to readings, lectures, and assignments within course timelines
- Discussion boards, written assignments, and quizzes assessed through Canvas
Synchronous Learning
- Live virtual class sessions via BigBlueButton, integrated within Canvas LMS
- Real-time interaction between faculty and students across geographic locations
- Chat, whiteboard, document-sharing, and breakout room functionality
- Session recordings archived for reference by enrolled students
Faculty
The PhD program is staffed by a distinguished cohort of part-time scholar-practitioners based primarily in India. Each faculty member brings a rigorous blend of academic expertise and deep performance-based mastery in their respective classical tradition. A total of 15 faculty members are involved in teaching, curriculum development, and assessment in the doctoral program.
All faculty who teach, supervise dissertations, and engage in curriculum development hold terminal degrees (PhD or equivalent) in their fields and have substantial experience in higher education and professional artistic practice.
| Faculty Member | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| Dr. Karuna Vijayendra | Dance 701: History of Indian Dance | Dance 713: Sociopolitical Perspectives on Bharatanatyam |
| Dr. Jayachandran | Dance 702: Temple Architecture, Agama Shastra, and Dance |
| Dr. Preethi Ramaswamy | Dance 703: Introduction to Research Skills |
| Dr. Anupama Kylash | Dance 704: Indian Aesthetics | Dance 715: Qualitative Research Methods | Dance 718: Research Group Part I |
| Dr. Yashoda Thakore | Dance 705: Understanding Decolonization in Performing Arts | Dance 710: A Critical Study of the Devadasi System | Dance 719: Research Group Part II |
| Dr. S. Divyasena | Dance 706: Professional Ethics and Performing Arts | Dance 711: Dance Music through the Ages | Dance 712: Choreography: Space, Time, Body, and Mind |
| Dr. Yamini Kurati | Dance 707: Textual Studies in Indian Dance |
| Dr. Urmimala Sarkar | Dance 708: Choreography: Interrogating the Body and Mind |
| Dr. Harshitha Kamath | Dance 709: Folkloristics and Oral Traditions |
| Dr. Sujatha Mohan | Dance 714: Sources of Literature: Interpretation and Application |
| Dr. Deepa Mahadevan | Dance 716: Mixed-Methods and Quantitative Research Methods |
| Dissertation Chair (TBA) | Dance 720, 721, 722, 723: Dissertation I through IV |
Six faculty members are currently designated for dissertation supervision of the first cohort. Five faculty members are engaged in curriculum development and program assessment. Aria University is committed to expanding full-time faculty appointments as enrollment grows and program needs develop.
How to Apply
Aria University welcomes applications from qualified scholars and practitioners seeking to advance their expertise in Indian classical dance at the doctoral level. Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semester cohorts.
Begin Your Application
Submit your application materials to the Office of Admissions. Our enrollment team will guide you through each step of the process.
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