Kinesiology

Co-Chair Sean Clark, Co-Chair Valerie Gin, Scott Barnett, Peter Iltis, Jessica Ventura. Part-Time: Donna Clark, Peter Harmeling, Thomas Faulds.

MISSION: The Department of Kinesiology fosters a community of learners in which students and faculty engage in the study of physical activity and its impact on health, society, and quality of life. The curriculum embraces a multidimensional approach to the study of human movement, exercise, and sport and emphasizes an understanding of the scientific foundations as well as the psychological and social dimensions of physical activity. Through a Christian worldview students consider scientific advancements, societal changes and ethical implications in topic areas such as recreation and leisure values, physical stewardship, performance enhancement and quality-of-life issues. Graduating students are well prepared for graduate programs as well as careers in the fields of recreation, sport and health and fitness.

Kinesiology Major

The curriculum in the Kinesiology major emphasizes the mechanical, neurological and physiological bases of human movement and is coupled with experiences to enhance critical-thinking skills essential to scientific inquiry. The course of study includes examination of both normal and healthy function as well as clinical conditions and disease states. The department emphasizes collaborative research with students as well as volunteer and internship experiences in a variety of professional settings. Kinesiology graduates are well prepared for post-baccalaureate study in kinesiology, clinical exercise physiology, medicine, physical and occupational therapy, nursing and physician’s assistant programs.

Honors in Kinesiology

In exceptional cases majors may earn departmental honors in kinesiology by conducting research and writing an honors thesis during their senior year. In collaboration with a faculty advisor, candidates will enroll in KIN 492 in their junior or senior year to develop a thesis proposal and conduct pilot work on a selected topic. The proposal will be defended by the end of the fall semester of the student’s senior year. The defense will be presented before the Department of Kinesiology faculty and must include evidence of readiness to conduct a full study based on initial pilot work. Upon successful defense, candidates will enroll in an additional 4 credits of KIN 492 and will conduct formal research and write a thesis. For honors the thesis must be of high quality and must be orally defended before department faculty. The minimum GPA for honors candidates is 3.5 in the major and 3.0 overall. See department faculty for details.

Recreation, Sport and Wellness Major

The Recreation, Sport and Wellness major serves to provide the academic foundation for study, understanding, commitment and action dealing with leisure, fitness, wellness, recreation, sport and outdoor education activities. The theoretical curriculum focuses on understanding the meaning and role of leisure, play, sport and outdoor education as influenced by psychological, sociological, economic, theological, philosophical and cultural factors. The professional curriculum provides concepts, education strategies and appropriate experiential preparation for leadership and programming in leisure, recreation and outdoor education. The department seeks to prepare students for fields such as community recreation, YMCA, camps, adventure-based programs, youth recreational programs, sports programs, resort and commercial recreation, recreation for special populations, and recreation management.

Recreation, Sport and Wellness Wilderness Immersion and Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) Semester

The Recreation, Sport and Wellness W.I.L.D. Semester exposes students to the historical, cultural, spiritual, moral and environmental dimensions of the wilderness and encourages critical thought about issues important to outdoor educators. Through a living and learning community, experiential opportunities, extensive outdoor travel and fieldwork, students will obtain valuable outdoor skills, leadership experience and crucial outdoor certifications. The Wilderness Immersion and Leadership Development Semester will fulfill requirements for a Christian ministries concentration in outdoor education or it will fulfill 16 of the 20-credit minor in outdoor education which can be completed with the addition of an internship placement. Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder required for completion of concentration for majors. Contact Rich Obenschain, director of the La Vida Center for Outdoor Education and Leadership, or David Starbuck, director of the W.I.L.D. Semester.

Programs

Major

Minor

Courses

Kinesiology

Outdoor Education

Physical Education

Recreation, Sport and Wellness