KINESIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE

KINS 100: INTRODUCTION TO KINESIOLOGY

Instructor Information

  • Instructor: Shaun Edmonds
  • Email etiquette:
    • Start with "Dear (Shaun / Dr. Edmonds),"
    • State your situation and request succinctly.
    • End with "Best," followed by your full name and course.
    • Allow 24-48 hours for a response and 72 hours on weekends.

What is Kinesiology?

  • Kinesiology is the study of human movement, encompassing various interdisciplinary topics, including biomechanics, exercise physiology, motor control, sport psychology, and the broader socio-cultural implications related to physical activity.
  • The field aims to integrate knowledge from various domains to address issues related to physical health, performance, wellness, and injury prevention.

Kinesiology: From Cell to Society

  • Explores the biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors affecting human movement and physical activity across individual and societal levels.
  • Examines energy balance and body composition:
    • Calories Burned and Calories Eaten influence body composition:
    • Weight Gain occurs when more energy is consumed than expended.
    • Balanced Weight is achieved when energy intake equals energy expenditure.
    • Weight Loss happens with more energy burned than consumed.

Shift Obesity System Influence Diagram

  • Key Factors Affecting Body Weight:
    • Individual Psychology:
    • Individual activity levels, social acceptance of body weight, stress, psychological ambivalence.
    • Social Psychology:
    • Social norms, cultural valuation of body images, media influence.
    • Activity Environment:
    • Access to food and physical activity opportunities, urban planning.
    • Food Consumption and Production:
    • Demand for health, marketing, food variety and quality, convenience, and economic factors affecting food access.
    • Physiological Factors:
    • Genetics, metabolism, energy partitioning, primary appetite control, non-volitional activities (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis - NEAT).

Course Philosophy

  • Survey-style Course:
    • Designed to introduce students to vocabulary, perspectives, and research areas in Kinesiology.
    • Students are encouraged to review the syllabus and communicate any challenges.
  • Expectations: Higher academic engagement than high school, with support available for struggling students.

Course Goals

  1. Explore the diversity of pathways in Kinesiology and articulate connections.
  2. Develop vocabulary for better understanding of Kinesiology.
  3. Differentiate between science-based resources and popular press.
  4. Produce well-constructed documents following specific guidelines.

Course Overview

  • Assessment Components:
    • Career Outcome Presentation (5%)
    • Weekly Assignments (15%, approximately 8 tasks)
    • Laboratory (30%, 6 labs)
    • Exams (30%, 3 total)
    • Final Collaborative Project (20%)
  • Key Requirements for Labs:
    • Active participation and submission of reports on time is critical (≥60% needed to pass the course).

Course Schedule Outline

  • Week 1: Introduction to Kinesiology
  • Week 2: Body Composition / Wellness
  • Week 3: Cardiovascular and Energy Systems
  • Week 4: Nutrition (with lab activities)
  • Week 5-10: Various topics including Anatomy, Biomechanics, Motor Learning, Psychology.
  • Final Project duration (Week 13-15), culminating in a presentation.

Written Communication Guidelines

  • Emails must come from official college accounts and should refer to the syllabus for basic questions.
  • Communications should follow proper etiquette and expect delayed responses during weekends.

Policies on Assignments and Attendance

  • Assignments submitted late without prior arrangement will receive a 0; first late assignment provides a 24-hour grace period.
  • Attendance Policy:
    • Up to 5 absences allowed without penalty.
    • 6 absences lead to a 10% grade reduction; 11 leads to administrative withdrawal.

Group Work and Expectations

  • Group projects encourage collaboration but may highlight challenges in team dynamics.
  • Students are encouraged to approach group work cooperatively and communicate effectively.

Final Notes on Learning and Success

  • The course emphasizes improvement and engagement, linking past knowledge and experience to course content.
  • Utilize Bloom's Taxonomy for cognitive development:
    • Lower-Order Thinking Skills: Remembering, Understanding
    • Higher-Order Thinking Skills: Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating, Creating.

Technology and Course Materials

  • Only Microsoft products will be used for assignments (no Google Suite).
  • All written assignments must be printed, stapled, and submitted as required.

Instructor Details

  • Background:
    • A.S. in Exercise Physiology, B.A. in English Literature, M.A. in Human Sexuality Studies, and PhD in Kinesiology.
    • Experience as a personal trainer, assistant coach, and an editor for NSCA journal.
  • Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 PM, by appointment.

Questions?

  • Open dialogue encouraged for clarifications and discussion of topics throughout the course.