Physical Education
Associate Professors Court, Purgavie, Coffey (chair), Graef, Mulholland, Murphy, Reilly, and Hohlt; Instructor Fereshetian
The charge of a liberal arts education includes opportunities for intellectual, physical, and spiritual development. The offerings of the Department of Physical Education are coeducational and introductory unless otherwise labeled. They are designed to instruct students in various lifetime physical recreative activities that will provide a foundation for a healthy, physically active lifestyle. Activities offered may emphasize one or more of the different components of physical fitness: cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, coordination, agility, learning skills of a sport/activity, weight loss and increase of lean body mass, and maintenance of good fitness.
Students are encouraged to select an activity that will offer a new exposure, develop skills in an activity with which they are already familiar, or supplement a current fitness program. Physical education courses emphasize physical activity and fitness components and are based on active participation, which allows the student to accrue the physical, social, and healthful benefits of the activity. Regular physical activity is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle—it prevents disease and enhances health and the quality of life.
More information on the physical education and athletics programs is available on the Web sites (www.bates.edu/PE.xml; www.bates.edu/sports.xml).
Performance
Performance courses provide all students with an opportunity to build a foundation for a lifetime of enriched living. The department offers a diverse program of seasonal physical recreative activities in a setting of instructional physical education. Specialized courses in outdoor activities utilizing Maine's natural resources as well as many traditional activities courses are available to all students.
Required Physical Education
The program consists of two activities courses, each ten weeks in length and scheduled for two periods per week. Successful completion of this program, a requirement for graduation, is recommended to all students during their first year in residence. All students are encouraged to participate in this program beyond the two-activity requirement on an elective basis.
Physical education courses include: African Dance, Aikido, Alpine Skiing, Archery, Badminton/Pickleball, Ballet (Beginning and Intermediate), Ballroom Dance, Bowling, Conditioning (Beginning and Advanced), Cross-Country Skiing, Figure Skating, Golf, Hockey Skating, Indoor Climbing, Individual Fitness Program, Jazz Dance, Juggling, Karate, Kayaking, Kickboxing, Modern Dance (Beginning and Advanced), Racquetball (Beginning and Intermediate), Self-Defense for Women, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Squash, Strength Training (Beginning and Intermediate), Swimming, Tennis (Beginning and Intermediate), Wallyball, and Yoga.
Theory and Study
The courses cited below are designed for students planning careers in education and for those wishing to study the role of physical recreative activities in modern society. Students considering professional careers in physical education, coaching, recreation, and related areas should confer early in their college careers with the chair of the department.
Cross-listed Courses
Note that unless otherwise specified, when a department/program references a course or unit in the department/program, it includes courses and units cross-listed with the department/program.
CoursesPE 210. Orthopedic Aspects of Sports Medicine.
Intensive study of human anatomy as it relates to athletic injuries. Classes provide a basic understanding of medical terminology, prevention, post-injury care, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries. This course provides a useful introduction to anatomy for those contemplating medical careers. Students who achieve a final grade of 80 percent or better may enter a mentoring program to become a sports medicine assistant. This opportunity expands the student's academic knowledge and exposes her or him to the practical applications, such as taping and first aid care, within the allied health field of athletic training. This program of thirty non-paid hours is conducted under the supervision of a certified athletic trainer. There is no academic grade given for this portion of the course; however, individuals who become sports medicine assistants may work in the sports medicine clinics under the work-study program. A current certification in first aid and CPR is mandatory in order to work as a sports medicine assistant. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 30. Normally offered every year. Staff.
PE 250. Ethics and Human Rights in Sports.
Sports play a major role in most cultures. Issues pertaining to sports and culture—and the ethical choices made surrounding these issues—can have a significant impact in the lives of people everywhere. This course examines some of the philosophical, political, economic, sociological, religious, and legal issues associated with sports. Topics include corporate ethics and sports, gender issues, racism and sports, ethical decision making, and specific sports-related human rights issues. Designed for first- and second-year students. Not open to students who have received credit for First-Year Seminar 150. Open to first-year students. Enrollment limited to 15. Normally offered every year. G. Purgavie.
PE 360. Independent Study.
Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair are required. Students may register for no more than one independent study per semester. Normally offered every semester. Staff.
PE s20. Methodology of Coaching.
This unit explores various methodologies of successful coaching. Students complete the ACEP (American Coaching Education Program) Coaching Principles Course, which leads to a level of certification widely accepted in secondary schools. Topics include the development of a coaching philosophy; sports psychology; sports pedagogy; and team management. In addition to the classroom component, the course involves a service-learning component, in which each student coaches in an assigned elementary school or another community program related to youth development and mentoring. Enrollment limited to 25. Offered with varying frequency. G. Purgavie.
PE s50. Independent Study.
Students, in consultation with a faculty advisor, individually design and plan a course of study or research not offered in the curriculum. Course work includes a reflective component, evaluation, and completion of an agreed-upon product. Sponsorship by a faculty member in the program/department, a course prospectus, and permission of the chair are required. Students may register for no more than one independent study during a Short Term. Normally offered every year. Staff.