Faculty

• Dr Dennis Caine (Chair)
• Dr. Ronald Brinkert
• Cara Demaine
• Dr. Amy Johnson
• Dr. Martin Short
• Dr. Sandra Short
• Dr. Tom Steen Steen
• Robert Stiles
• Dietta Watson
• Dr. Jim. Whitehead

Mission

The mission of the Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science is to offer challenging undergraduate and graduate programs. These programs aim to demonstrate excellence in three main areas:

• The education of students, who upon graduation are noted for their knowledge, professional skill, and future marketability.
• Scholarly and creative activity which contributes notably to the field of knowledge in PXW.
• Contribution of the department's particular expertise and talents as a service to the university community, the state, and the profession.

Graduates have the opportunity to pursue careers in physical education teaching, health and fitness education and management, and athletic coaching, or to continue their education in graduate studies.

Basic Instruction Courses

The Department of PXW also provides basic instruction for all students of the University in a wide variety of sport, aquatics, dance, and fitness classes. Activity courses in physical education may count toward the hours required for graduation. These credit hours may be earned by enrolling in PXW 101, 102 or 103. In some cases, equipment is provided by the department; however, there are fees assessed for certain specified activities.

Physical Education Courses

Semesters the course is typically offered will be signified after the course description by F=Fall, S=Spring, SS=Summer

• PXW 101. Physical Education. 1 credit. Instruction in aquatics, dance, fitness, individual sports, team sports, and outdoor pursuits at the introductory level. F,S,SS
• PXW 102. Physical Education. 1 credit. Prerequisite: PXW 101 in the same activity or consent of the instructor. Instruction in aquatics, dance, fitness, individual sports, team sports, and outdoor pursuits at the intermediate level. F,S
• PXW 103. Physical Education. 1 credit. Prerequisite: PXW 102 in the same activity or consent of the instructor. Instruction in aquatics, dance, fitness, individual sports, team sports, and outdoor pursuits at the advanced level. On Demand
• PXW 109. Introduction to Coaching. 1 credit. An introduction and overview of relevant philosophy, sport psychology, sport pedagogy, sport physiology, sport medicine and sport management issues confronting coaches. Coaching is presented with emphasis on effective instructional techniques and coaching principles based upon scientific knowledge. F,S
• PXW 110. Sports Officiating. 1 credit. Knowledge of the rules and techniques for officiating various sports. Offered by sport; credit is repeatable by sport. On Demand.
• PXW 205. Physical Education for the Elementary Grades. 3 credits. A study of contemporary programs in elementary physical education. Emphasis on appropriate movement experiences for children. F
• PXW 206. PXW Workshop. 1 credit. Each workshop will emphasize an area related to PXW. Course may be repeated as long as content varies. On Demand.
• PXW 207, 207L. Prevention and Care of Injuries. 3 credits. An overview of the scope of athletic training with emphasis on injury management and preventative measures. F,S
• PXW 223. Movement Performance and Analysis. 1 credit, repeatable to 12. Prerequisite: PXW 101 or performance equivalence in appropriate activity. Development of performance, performance analysis and knowledge as they apply to aquatics, dance, fitness, individual sports, team sports, and outdoor pursuits. Professional preparation courses for PXW majors. F,S
• PXW 276. Motor Learning. 3 credits. Co-requisite: PXW 276L. Consideration of various factors which may affect learning and performance in human movement activities. S
• PXW 309. Water Safety Instruction. 2 credits. Prerequisite: Current Senior Lifesaving Certificate. Scientific movement principles, theories and techniques as they apply to the teaching and conduct of aquatic activities. Laboratory teaching assignments. S
• PXW 310. First Aid and CPR. 2 credits. Recommended Advanced First Aid and CPR practices for the care of persons who have been injured or suddenly become ill. F,S
• PXW 323. Introduction to Teaching in Physical Education and Sport Settings. 3 credits. Prerequisite: PXW 107 & 223. Corequisite: PXW 323L. Strategy for classroom management, planning, instruction, and assessment of teacher and student behavior. Special emphasis on systematic development of a variety of teaching skills through practice and feedback in individual and small group situations. F
• PXW 323L. Introduction to Teaching in Physical Education and Sport Settings Laboratory. 1 credit. Prerequisites: PXW 107 & 223. Corequisite: PXW 323. Supervised experiences in laboratory and field settings for the purpose of developing teaching skills for physical education and sport settings. F
• PXW 325. Youth and Children in Sport. 3 credits. Analysis of research findings in sport studies, sport psychology and sport sociology with applications to coaching children and youth in sport. F
• PXW 326. Fundamentals of Physical Conditioning. 3 credits. A study of the basic knowledge, principles, and methods of physical conditioning for health and fitness benefits, and for athletic performance improvement. F,S
• PXW 327. Fitness for Life. 3 credits. A classroom course focusing on advanced concepts of lifetime fitness and wellness from a consumer perspective. Emphasis is on the development of personal programs for fitness and wellness. F,S
• PXW 332. Biomechanics. 4 credits. Prerequisite: Anat 204, 204L. The study of human movement with special emphasis on those movements related to sport and physical activity. F
• PXW 341. Organization and Administration of Athletics. 2 credits. Principles and practices for management of the interscholastic athletic program. S
• PXW 355. Applied Motor Development. 3 credits. Changes in motor performance which occur with age, physical and mental development as they relate to these changes. F
• PXW 375. Fundamentals of Group Exercise Instruction. 3 credits. Prerequisite: PXW 326. The fundamental knowledge and practical skills needed to lead a group exercise class. S
• PXW 376. Professional Skills in Personal Training. 3 credits. Prerequisite: PXW 326. The fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to provide personal training for individuals and/or small groups. F
• PXW 385. Practicum. 2 credits. Prerequisites: PXW 222 and 321. Independent and group study of professional placement and leadership in recreation and leisure settings. Practical experiences in recreation settings within the community. Includes lectures, site visits, and fieldwork hours. F,S
• PXW 397. Cooperative Education in PXW. 1-4 credits, repeatable to 16. Prerequisite: PXW 107 or 201. A practical work experience with an employer closely associated with the student's academic area. Arranged by mutual agreement among student, department, and employer. S/U gradig only. F,S,SS
• PXW 400. Methods and Materials for Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PXW 406 and admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: PXW 400L. Instructional skills and curriculum analysis for secondary school physical education. F
• PXW 400L. Methods and Materials for Teaching Physical Education in the Secondary School-Laboratory. 1 credit. Prerequisites: PXW 406L and admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: PXW 400. Supervised experiences in the secondary school for the purpose of developing teaching skills for physical education and sport settings. F
• PXW 401. Sport Sociology. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Soc 110. The critical exploration of the function of sports in American culture, in an interdisciplinary fashion, with a focus on the contemporary scene. F
• PXW 402. Exercise Physiology. 4 credits. Prerequisite: Phy 301. The acute and chronic effect of the type, intensity and duration of exercise on physiological function. F
• PXW 403. School Health Education. 2 credits. Provides prospective health educators with a cursory look at health curriculum construction and investigation of different methods, devices and classroom techniques. S
• PXW 404. Adapted Activities Program. 2 credits. Etiology of specific handicaps and adaptations of various activities which the individual may participate in at various grade levels. Theory and practical work will be emphasized. S
• PXW 406. Strategies for Teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School. 3 credits. Prerequisites: 205, 323, and admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: PXW 406L. The development of skills and knowledge related to teaching physical education to young children. F
• PXW 406L. Strategies for Teaching Physical Education in the Elementary School-Laboratory. 1 credit. Prerequisites: PXW 323L, 205, and admission to Teacher Education. Corequisite: PXW 406. Supervised experiences in the elementary school for the purpose of developing teaching skills for physical education and sport settings. F
• PXW 423. Coaching Methods. 2 credits. Prerequisite: PXW 223 in same sport. Repeatable with different sports to a maximum of 10 credits. Methods employed in coaching specific sports. F,S
• PXW 426. Exercise Testing and Prescription. 3 credits. Prerequisites: PXW 326 and 402. Theory and practice of administering exercise and fitness tests, and using the results in exercise prescription and programming. F
• PXW 440. Sport Psychology. 3 credits. Prerequisite: Psyc 111. Examination of psychological constructs influencing the competitive sport process and physical activity. S
• PXW 455. Special Topics in PXW. 1-4 credits repeatable to 9. Specialized topics related to physical education, health and recreation. On Demand.
• PXW 480. Field Experience in PXW. 1-8 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and upper division status. Placement of student in a practical setting under university faculty supervision. F,S
• PXW 485. Internship. 4-12 credits. Prerequisite: Physical Education majors only. Development of professional skills by working directly with established fitness/wellness, health and human service organizations under the supervision of professionals and faculty. S-U grading only. F,S,SS
• PXW 486. Practicum in Coaching. 2 credits. Prerequisites: PXW 423 in the assigned sport in which the student will coach. Supervised experiences in a school setting for the purpose of developing skills and techniques for coaching. F,S
• PXW 487. Senior Teaching Seminar. 1 credit. Corequisite: T&L 487. A critical analysis of problems, professional obligations and careers in teaching physical education. F,S
• PXW 495. Directed Studies in Physical Education. 1-4 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. An in-depth study in a subject area selected by the student under tutorial supervision. F,S