KINESIOLOGY 072-1

Foundations of Kinesiology
Fall 2015
Christine Milner
Contact information: milner@westmont.edu; 565-6289
Class Time: T 1:15-3:05 PM
Office Hours: Tuesday, Thursday 9-11:30 or by appointment
Course Description
Welcome to Foundations of Kinesiology! By selecting this course, you are most likely interested in some aspect
of human movement. Our department has decided that such a course is a fitting introduction to the relatively
new discipline of kinesiology. You will find this course to include a creative blend of foundational scholarly
material, intriguing issues, and a beginning look at the vast array of pre-professional opportunies available to
students who complete a degree in kinesiology. By the end of this course, you should be able to make an
informed and confident decision about whether or not this is the appropriate major and the best academic fit for
you.
In addition to those general goals, this course meets a General Education requirement and contributes to your
progress toward achieving one of the Kinesiology Departments Program Learning Outcomes, as well as
Westmonts Institutional Learning Outcomes. Some of Westmonts Institutional Learning Outcomes have also
been thoughtfully and purposefully woven throughout this course and identified below when appropriate.
Course learning outcomes
1. Students will be able to identify the biophysical, behavioral and sociocultural spheres of the
discipline of kinesiology.
Method of assessment: exam
2. Students will be able to summarize the world historical developments in movement, with special
emphasis on both ancient and modern history related to movement. (Institutional Learning Outcome:
Global Awareness and Diversity)
Method of assessment: daily assignments
3. Students will formulate a thesis and generate a research paper that supports a topic of their choice,
using APA style. (Institutional Learning Outcome: Competence in Written Communication)
Method of assessment: research paper
Kinesiology Program Learning Outcome
Upon completion of the Kinesiology Program, students will be able to read and interpret research and/or
apply the scientific method (PLO #1). This course introduces students to that skill.
General Education:
Students develop their communication skills at Westmont by taking at least three courses that emphasize
writing fluently or speaking clearly and effectively. Such writing-intensive or speech-intensive courses
encourage students to develop their abilities to articulate information, ideas, and convictions both in written
and oral discourse. Students are expected to be able to communicate effectively to a wide range of
audiences, within the academy, the church, and the public (College Catalog). Foundations of Kinesiology
meets the GE requirement for a writing-intensive course. As a result, students should expect that writing
competencies would be an evaluative component of all aspects of this course, with special attention to
clarity, style and content. You can expect feedback on your writing, including opportunities for revisions
when appropriate.

Course materials
1. Because of the variety of topics covered in this course, we will not use a traditional textbook. Selected
reading assignments will be used to supplement course content. These can be accessed on-line or posted
on my weebly website, which can be accessed at http://christinemilner.weebly.com/. Click on
Foundations to gain access to course materials. This site is password protected. The last page of this
syllabus lists the articles required for this course with either links to the article or instructions to access
them on the weebly website.
2. Many of the research assignments for this course require use of databases through the library webpage.
Below are helpful instructions for accessing scholarly articles in areas related to the discipline of
kinesiology. The library staff is ready to assist you with research. Contact them for additional help.
Molly Riley is our specific liason. Her email is mriley@westmont.edu.
1. Go to the library Web site http://library.westmont.edu
Click on Research guide and choose Kinesiology. This will take you to databases in the
areas relevant to topics in Kinesiology. Browse through the different tabs at the top of the
page, including Foundations.
2. The Writers Corner is an excellent resource for the writing intensive assignments in this
course. Go to http://www.westmont.edu/_academics/departments/english/writers-corner.html
for information, including appointment and drop-in times.
Course Activities and Assignments
1. Readings, written reflections, quizzes, or other assignments in preparation for topic of discussion.
Quizzes and daily activities done in class cannot be made up. Excused missed quizzes due to athletic
events or extended serious illness verified by the health center, however, will not count against the
student. Quizzes missed for other reasons will be recorded as a 0. A word to the wise There will
likely be some accountability measure for each reading assignment. Be prepared! Note: While all
writing assignments are due as assigned, not all writing assignments will be graded.
2. Web based assignments. Students will complete various homework assignments that can be accessed
by going to Professor Milners website set up for this course. It can be accessed at
http://christinemilner.weebly.com/. Carefully read the instructions. Some articles require summary,
others require reflection and some require both. Article assignments submitted late will always carry a
penalty.
3. Research paper (8-10 pages) on a historical development, important leader, or area of research
selected from list provided or a topic approved by the instructor. The order of steps for completing this
paper will be as follows:
A. Topic
B. Bibliography (min. 10 sources)
C. Mini-draft
D. Completed research paper
E. Oral presentation (approx. 5-6 min.) of your findings.
If paper is turned in and if it is not done properly, it will be returned for re-writing. Plagiarism will
not be tolerated. Student must cite any reference source whether paraphrased, leaned on heavily or
quoted. Failure to do so will result in a grade of "F" on that assignment. Both the written paper and
oral presentation must be completed in order to pass this class. Go to this link for more information
on Westmonts plagiarism policy:
http://www.westmont.edu/_offices/provost/Plagiarism/PlagiarismStudentInformation.html
Additional Course Note
Our new curriculum change will require students to take either KNS 190 (internships) or Research KNS
198 for 1-4 units. This course will introduce you to some potential internship sites. KNS 190 will
provide the opportunity to pursue an internship in your potential chosen field. Therefore, students who
are interested in taking KNS 190 to fulfill this requirement should plan on taking this course during the
junior or senior year as a follow-up to this brief exposure to career opportunities related to kinesiology.
In addition, some off-campus programs have an internship element that can satisfy this requirement. The

Westmont in San Francisco program, for example, offers a full array of internship possibilities for
students in kinesiology. Research KNS 198 can be fulfilled on our Bath Mayterm program in England.
Basis of Evaluation:
1. Research paper and oral presentation - 25%
2. Quizzes, article essays and other daily assignments - 45%
3. Exams-30%
Attendance
In accordance with college policy, students will be allowed 1 absence without penalty. Further absences
will adversely affect the final grade. If you are ill and cannot attend class, let me know by e-mail prior to
the class. Remember, though, that quizzes or other class assignments are not waived for minor illnesses
or other situations that cause you to miss class. Any student with excessive absences, either excused or
unexcused, will be asked to drop the class. Use your one free absence wisely!
A final note: Although I can be reached by e-mail, text or phone, I much prefer corresponding with
students by e-mail. If you are not accustomed to checking your Westmont e-mail, please remind yourself
to do so regularly during the course of this semester.
Cell phone use
Please be respectful of your peers and your professor by turning off cell phones while attending class.
Computer use
Outlines of power point presentations will not be provided daily, but outlines will be posted on my
website as part of the exam study guide. Use of your computer for anything other than note taking in
class will demonstrate a disrespectful attitude towards me, your professor, as well as other students in
the course.
Academic Accommodations
Students who have been diagnosed with a disability are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of
Disability Services as early as possible to discuss appropriate accommodations for this course. Formal
accommodations will only be granted for students whose disabilities have been verified by the Office of
Disability Services. These accommodations may be necessary to ensure your equal access to this course.
Please contact Sheri Noble, Director of Disability Services. (310A Voskuyl Library, 565-6186,
snoble@westmont.edu) or visit the website for more information:
http://www.westmont.edu/_offices/disability

Date

COURSE SCHEDULE KNS 72-1 Foundations of Kinesiology Fall 2015

Day Topic
Assignment (due on date assigned)

Sept. 1

Introduction

Overview of Kinesiology

Overview

Overview

Global health article-TBA (provide a 1-2pp. outline)

29

Jess Evert: guest speaker on

global health (2-3 PM)
Ancient Movement History;
Olympic movement

Oct. 6

History of Movement in America

Whorton article 2 pp. summary)

13

Fall Holiday

20

Finish history
Term paper guidelines/Library
resources

27

Exam/Site visit (PT)

Nov. 3

Site visit (OT)

Bibliography due (min. 10 scholarly sources)

10

Draft paper workshop/

Oral Presentation guidelines

Mini draft on paper due

17

Site visit (Fitness)

Paper due

24

Oral presentations

Dec. 1

Oral presentations

Wrapup

Mission statement; Newman article

TH

12-2 PM

Final (Take-home)

15
22
24

Dec. 17

Burkett article (print out and highlight); Omli article (1 p.

summary)
Database article (1 p.summary); Thomas article (print out
and highlight key points in article)
Hartman-Stein article-first 7 pp. only until
Recommendations for Exercise section (1 p. summary);
Anderson article p. 59-61 (read only)
Politics and the Olympics article (1 p. summary);
Crowther Article (read only)

Topic due; Kolata article (synthesis with Whorton article)

Articles for class (in order of assignments) Note: if the links do not work, copy and paste the URL into your
browser
Burtkett, B., McNamee, M., Potthast, W. (2011). Shifting boundaries in sports technology and disabilitiy: Equal
rights or unfair advantage in the case of Oscar Pistorius? Disability and Society, 26(5), 643-654.Secured through
interlibrary loan. Access through weebly site at http://christinemilner.weebly.com/
Omli, J., & Wiese-Bjornstal, D. (2011). Kids speak: Preferred parental behavior at youth sport events. Research
Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 82(4), 702-711. Westmont database. Access using this link:
http://ezproxy.westmont.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/912383846?accountid=14990
Thomas, P. (2006, June 1). Morality on a slippery slope. Los Angeles Times, pp. A1. Secured through
interlibrary loan. Access through weebly site at http://christinemilner.weebly.com/
Hartman-Stein, P. E., & Potkanowicz, E. S. (2003). Behavioral determinants of healthy aging: Good news for
the baby boomer generation. Online Journal Of Issues In Nursing, 8(2), 127-146. Note: Read until section on
Recommendations for Exercise! http://ezproxy.westmont.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=afh&AN=16508389&site=ehost-live
Anderson, D. (2012). The death of play. Kinesiology Review, 1, 59-65. Secured through interlibrary loan.
Access through weebly site at http://christinemilner.weebly.com/
Global health article: TBA (accessed through weebly site)
Crowther, N. (1999). Sports, nationalism and peace in ancient Greece. Peace Review, 11(4), 585.
http://ezproxy.westmont.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=afh&AN=2791836&site=ehost-live
Whorton, J. (1982). Athletes heart: The medical debate over athleticism, 1870-1920. Journal of Sport History,
9(1), 30-52. http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/JSH/JSH1982/JSH0901/jsh0901c.pdf
Kolata, G. (2008, July 7). Uncommonly big hearts may not hurt athletes. New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/07/health/07hearts.html

Newman, Elizabeth. (2004). Called through relationships. The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University.
Access through weebly site at http://christinemilner.weebly.com/