course descriptions
Lower Division
2 First Aid and CPR (.25)
The study and practice of first aid and cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) methods and techniques. The course provides certification in American Red Cross Standard First Aid and CPR.
4–8 Activity Courses (.25)
The Department of Kinesiology offers a broad range of exercise and sport classes. Course content is directed toward developing in students: 1) a knowledge base relative to personal health that will encourage regular and safe exercise over the lifespan, and 2) the requisite motor skills to enable enjoyable participation in various sport modes.
4 Aquatics
Instruction and participation in activities such as lifesaving, swimming, and waterpolo.
5 Dance
Instruction and participation in various dance forms: ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and ballet folklorico.
6 Individual/Dual Activities
Instruction and participation in activities such as archery, badminton, golf, gymnastics, martial arts, personal defense, racquetball, and tennis.
7 Team Activities
Instruction and participation in activities such as basketball, softball, indoor soccer, outdoor soccer, and volleyball.
8 Fitness Activities
Instruction and participation in activities such as aerobics, body conditioning, fitness walking, circuit training, and weight training.
10 Introduction to Kinesiology
A course designed to introduce students to the philosophical positions and sociological paradigms that concern the human body in motion. Particular attention is devoted to the corporeal actions known as play, game, sport, athletics, and exercise. Students are familiarized with the field’s subdisciplines and career opportunities.
11 Concepts of Movement
A course designed to provide an understanding of motor skill analysis presentation. Specific topics include: growth and motor development, motor learning concepts, biomechanical analysis, theories of learning, and designing movement experiences and tasks.
12 Health Education
A survey course that examines the major components of personal health. Topics include: tobacco use, alcohol abuse, STDs, unintentional injuries, and the consequences of sedentary lifestyles. The concept of “wellness” over the lifespan is a major focus. (Satisfies California State Teaching Credential requirement.)
14 Outdoor Education
Students analyze the present uses of the out-of-doors by local, state, and federal government agencies; educational institutions; and the for-profit private sector. Class participants develop the skills necessary to live comfortably and move efficiently in the wilderness. A particular emphasis of the course is environment conservation. Students will be exposed to the principles of risk and safety management and wilderness first aid.
15 Measurement and Evaluation in Kinesiology
A study of measurement techniques utilized in the field’s subdisciplines. The theory and statistical techniques of test interpretation are also studied. Investigation into the field’s research literature is a major component of the course.
16 Concepts of Physical Fitness
This course will present the fundamental principles of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, nutrition, and weight control. The prevention of chronic disease and the health benefits of physical activity are a major focus of the class. Students will address the barriers to regular physical activity and examine behavior modification as it pertains to adherence to exercise across the lifespan.
Upper Division
102 Structural Biomechanics
The study of human movement from the point of view of the physical sciences. Fundamentals of human motion are examined from the anatomical, physiological, and biomechanical perspectives with an emphasis on motor skill application. Prerequisites: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), Biology 15, 16.
103 Physical Education in the Elementary School
A study of the theoretical basis for designing movement experiences for children of elementary school age. Special emphasis on recent trends in movement dealing with the elementary school child. Satisfies Montessori Program requirements.
105 Facility Planning and Management
A study of the organization and supervision of recreation facilities and leisure practices and trends. Specific attention is paid to programming in educational institutions and municipalities. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor).
107 Nutrition for Sport and Physical Activity
This course integrates the scientific foundations of nutrition and exercise. Special topics include: optimizing physical fitness and performance through diet, the use of ergogenic aids, weight loss and gain techniques, eating disorders, and sport-specific nutrition planning.
108 Legal and Administrative Issues
A course designed to consider administrative policies related to the directing and organizing of physical education, intramural, and athletic programs. Topics include management procedures, laws and legal concerns, and the promoting and justifying of the programs. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor).
109 Care and Prevention of Athletic Injuries
A course of study that examines the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of athletic injuries. This class is particularly useful for students interested in careers in athletic training and physical therapy. The athletic training needs of the school-based physical educator are also focused upon. Prerequisites: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), Biology 15, 16.
110 Exercise Physiology
A study of physiological parameters and mechanisms that determine the adaptations of the physiological systems of humans in response to exercise; i.e., exercise metabolism, work, and fatigue; development of strength and flexibility; cardiorespiratory effects of exercise and training; sport activity in extreme environmental conditions — high altitudes, heat, cold; measurement of factors determining sport fitness. Prerequisites: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), Biology 15, 16, 25, 26, upper division standing.
111 History of Health, Sport & Exercise
A survey of the physical culture of selected past civilizations, including Sumer, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Mesoamerica. The course examines the rise of “modern” mass sport in Britain and North America, the
modern Olympic Games, American intercollegiate athletics, and the roles of U.S. women and minorities in sport. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), upper division standing.
112 Sport and Exercise Psychology
This course is an introduction to the foundations of psychology in the sport and physical activity domain. Students examine current theories, empirical research, and practices related to sport and exercise psychology. Topics include: motivation, group dynamics, leadership, performance enhancement, exercise adherence, and moral/social development. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor).
114 Sociology of Sport and Physical Activity
An examination of a variety of contemporary social issues as they relate to sport and physical activity from a multitude of different sociological perspectives. Particular attention is paid to how sport functions as a socializing agency and interacts with other primary social institutions to both perpetuate societal value sets and create social change. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), upper division standing.
116 Analysis of Teaching Concepts
An in-depth analysis of selected concepts in the teaching-learning process
in physical education. Professional literature is discussed, evaluated, and related to actual learning environments. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 11 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor).
117 Human Motor Performance
A neurophysical approach to understanding the sensory and perceptual mechanisms that allow for efficient physical activity. An examination of various factors that affect human development, motor performance, and
motor learning (motor development, timing, practice, transfer, etc). Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor).
118 Issues in Community Health
Investigates the history, concepts, and institutions that constitute the field
of community health. A particular focus is the urban situation
in the United States. The demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological conditions of our cities are examined. Issues around interpersonal violence, the high cost of health care, and unhealthy behaviors will be examined. Students are expected to experience and report on the operations of an on or off-campus community health institution.
119 Therapeutic Exercise and Physical Therapy
Modalities
The study of concepts and current methods of rehabilitation in sports medicine. Concepts include: flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, plyometrics, closed-kinetic chain exercise, and functional progression in rehabilitation. Further topics include: uses of cryotherapy, hydrotherapy, thermal agents, electrical agents, mechanical agents. A problem-solving
approach to their uses is central to the course. The class visits local physical therapy clinics. Prerequisites: Biology 15, 16; Kinesiology 10,
(or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), 109.
120 Advanced Athletic Training
A class in advanced recognition and evaluation of athletic injuries. This course covers general evaluation techniques applicable to all injuries and studies the most common injuries to each body area. Other topics include: neurological signs and symptoms, emergency procedures,
and guidelines for referral to a physician. Prerequisites: Biology 15, 16; Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor), 109.
121 Sport and Recreation Management
Analyzes the concepts and methods of administering sport and recreation service organizations. Course components include: general management, legislative authorization and controls, financial management and accountability, human resource management, risk management, effective programming, and facility design and operations. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10 (or for non-majors, permission of the instructor).
123 Theory and Analysis of Team Sports
Designed to give students an understanding of skill techniques, skill analysis, and the development of appropriate practice progressions in basketball, flag football, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and volleyball. Field experience/observations are required throughout the course. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 11.
124 Theory and Analysis of Lifetime Sports
Designed to give students an understanding of skill techniques, skill analysis, and the development of appropriate practice progressions in tennis, badminton, golf, aquatics, and outdoor education activities. Field experience/observations are required through-out the course.
Prerequisite: Kinesiology 11.
125 Theory and Analysis of Fitness and Movement
This course teaches students to utilize scientific principles in designing programs that develop flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and cardiovascular endurance. The course also develops an understanding of requisite skill techniques, skill analysis, and the development of appropriate
practice progressions for fundamental movement skills, rhythmic activities, tumbling/educational gymnastics, and personal defense. Field experience/observations are required throughout the course. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 11.
195 Internship
Work practice in the field of physical education, sport management, recreation, or sports medicine. The internship experience is planned in close consultation with and supervised by a Department of Kinesiology faculty member. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10.
197 Special Study
An independent study or research course for students whose needs are not met by the Department of Kinesiology’s regular class offerings. Permission of instructor and department chair are required. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10.
199 Special Study—Honors
An independent study or research course for upper division majors with a B average or better. Permission of instructor and department chair are required. Prerequisite: Kinesiology 10.
January Term
Kinesiology faculty have taught a broad range of elective courses for January Term, including The Yosemite Experience, Women in Sport and Culture, and Outdoor Education. Select activity courses are offered every January.
