Physical Education: Course Descriptions

Study Hall
PED 0101 / 0 credit / Every semester
Designed to enhance the academic performance of student athletes at Purchase College. Academic support services, from individual tutoring to assistance with research projects, are provided by the Learning Center in collaboration with the study hall coordinator. Required for freshman athletes unless it conflicts with their academic program schedules.

Lifeguard Training
PED 1000 / 2 credits / Fall
Develops aquatic skills and basic knowledge of safety and accident prevention in the aquatic environment. Skills include preventive lifeguarding, emergency action planning, aquatic facility management, and preparation of records and reports. Qualified students receive Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certification.

Yoga
PED 1010 / 2 credits / Every semester
An introduction to the basic disciplines of hatha yoga, focusing on body awareness, appropriate body warmups, beginning yoga postures and breathing (pranayama), and relaxation skills. Upon successful completion, students understand and are able to demonstrate the basic components of yoga practice (sadhana), including safe, stable body alignment and at least 21 classical yoga postures.

Yoga Tools for Relaxation and Peace
PED 1017 / 2 credits / Every semester
In this gentle yoga course, students learn methods of caring for their physical, mental, and emotional bodies: Pranayama, breath control, classical posture and alignment, subtle mudras that transform energy to higher levels for equilibrium and healing, and a variety of relaxation experiences. Yoga Nidra (the “sleep of the yogis”) leads to deep relaxation and heightened consciousness. Recommended for all students, including those who may have physical challenges as well as the most serious athletes.

Fencing
PED 1020 / 2 credits / Every semester
Designed for the novice who has never fenced, this course explores the various techniques of combat with a foil. Instruction includes: the use of the foil as a weapon, with emphasis on various forms of offensive and defensive strategies; the history of fencing; bouting rules and procedures; conditioning; and fencing in bouts.

Swimming
PED 1040 / 2 credits / Every semester
Emphasizes both swimming and aquatic survival skills. The course includes: personal safety in the aquatic environment; basic swimming strokes; use of safety and rescue equipment; survival swimming skills; rescue breathing and basic care for an airway obstruction; entries into the water; and aquatic fitness for life.

Rockclimbing
PED 1070 / 1 credit / Every semester
Students learn climbing, belaying, and rapelling techniques. Other skills include face climbing, layback, body jams, chimneying, and mantling. Top rope climbing is included for safety. All equipment is provided.

Advanced Rockclimbing
PED 1075 / 1 credit / Spring
This course provides students who are already familiar with basic climbing skills with the knowledge and experience required for self-sufficiency when top-rope climbing in an outdoor environment. Topics include climbing techniques, advanced rope work, climbing anchors, and rescue/self-rescue.
Prerequisite: PED 1070 or permission of instructor (with demonstration of basic climbing, knot tying, and belaying skills). Students should be able to properly fit a harness, tie-in using a rewoven figure-8 knot, competently belay a climber, and demonstrate proper use of belay and climbing commands.

Outdoor Skills (Weekends)
PED 1105 / 2 credits / Every semester
Students choose two overnight weekends in outdoor activity areas like downhill skiing, canoeing, camping, caving, rockclimbing, and backpacking. Includes instruction in the various skill areas, plus wilderness first aid, camping equipment and camp setup, and survival skills.

Racquetball
PED 1110 / 1 credit / Spring
An introduction to the sport of racquetball. Skills include: use of the racquet; grips, serve, and basic shots; singles and doubles strategy; shot selection; court technique.

Scuba
PED 1120 / 1 credit / Every semester
Covers the various aspects of both skin and scuba diving and prepares students for PADI certification, including getting ready for the deep dive requirement. Upon completion of the course, students can make arrangements for the deep dive and PADI certification with the instructor.
Prerequisite: Ability to swim 200 yards without stopping and tread water for 10 minutes; must be medically fit for scuba diving.

Water Safety Instructor
PED 1200 / 2 credits / Spring
American Red Cross fundamentals of instructor training and water safety instructor skills. Students must pay a $175 fee to the Red Cross for additional books and administrative fees and attend one six-week session of the Community Learn to Swim program.
Prerequisite: Ability to swim at an American Red Cross Level 5 or better

Tennis
PED 1240 / 1 credit / Every semester
Basic skills and fundamentals of tennis, including grips, forehand, backhand, the serve, basic shots, singles and doubles play, court techniques, and game strategy. Match play is emphasized.

Personal Defense
PED 1310 / 2 credits / Every semester
Basics of personal defense for men and women are taught: conditioning, attitude, and techniques for everyone. Realize “It could happen to you,” and learn what to do against grabs, chokes, shoves, locks, hugs, punches, and more. Women, enforce your NO! Material taken from American Kenpo, Judo, and Hapkido.

Intermediate Personal Defense
PED 1315 / 1 credit / Every semester
With a partner, students learn and practice intermediate-level defenses against unarmed and armed assailants brandishing a stick. Techniques are derived from Tae kwon do and Hapkido systems. Students should have prior knowledge of personal defense that includes the ability to break a fall.
Prerequisite: PED 1310 or 1335, or the attainment of an intermediate rank in any martial art, or current membership in the Purchase College Tae Kwon Do Club

Tae Kwon Do
PED 1335 / 2 credits / Every semester
An introduction to the art and science of the Korean martial art Tae kwon do. This traditional six-part class consists of warm-ups, basic techniques (strikes, kicks, blocks), poomse (a precise pattern of techniques), one-step prearranged sparring, no-contact free spar, and cool downs. The history and philosophy of Tae kwon do, physiology, biomechanics, and anatomy are also addressed. Students must purchase and wear a dobak (uniform).

Golf
PED 1370 / 1 credit / Every semester
Designed to teach students the rules and skills of the sport of golf. Topics include: the history of the sport; safety, grips, swing, and stance; use of irons and woods; and putting. Students are given the opportunity to apply their skills and play on local golf courses.

Nutrition for Enhanced Performance
PED 1440 / 2 credits / Every semester
A practical, introductory course on the elements of good nutrition and how they affect performance in sports, dance, and everyday life. Practical applications and self-assessments help students apply nutrition concepts to their daily lives. Important nutrition issues are emphasized (e.g., food choices, healthy body weight and weight management, alternative diets, fluid intake, and strategies to enhance human performance through sound nutrition practices).

Fitness Through Dance: Jazz
PED 1455 / 1 credit / Every semester
Emphasizes the development of body strength, flexibility, poise, and cardiovascular fitness through jazz-based dance. Students assess their fitness levels at both the beginning and end of the course to note their progress.

Kayaking Skills
PED 1460 / 1 credit / Alternate years (Spring)
Offers basic skills and fundamentals in kayaking, including basic strokes, maneuvering strokes, kayaking rolls, rescue techniques, bracing skills, handling a kayak, and selecting equipment. Practical experience is acquired through skill drills, timed obstacle courses, and kayak water polo.

Circus Skills
PED 1470 / 2 credits / Every semester
Students are introduced to a range of circus skills (e.g., juggling, unicycling, trapeze, sky pole, rolla bolla, stilt walking, gym wheel), which may vary depending on physical ability and experience of the class. At the end of the course, students select one or two skills to perform as a required final project.

CPR/AED and RTE
PED 1480 / 2 credits / Fall
Training in the skills needed to respond appropriately to breathing and cardiac emergencies for all age levels, including the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) to care for a victim of cardiac arrest. The first aid component provides the knowledge and skills necessary in an emergency to help sustain life and minimize the consequences of injury and sudden illness. Students who successfully complete the three course components will receive Red Cross Certification in CPR/AED and RTE (Responding to Emergencies).

Creating Happiness
PED 1490 / 2 credits / Spring
The dimensions of a fulfilling and prosperous life are explored in this course, which includes a strong experiential component. Topics include happiness, self-esteem, empathy, friendship, love, creativity, mindfulness, spirituality, and humor. Students learn through lectures, class participation, self-reflection, and on-campus program involvement.

Target Archery
PED 1510 / 1 credit / Fall
Students are introduced to the basic skills of archery, including selection of equipment, stringing, stance, grip, drawing the arrow, aiming, shooting, and error analysis, and are exposed to target and tournament archery.

Fitness and Weight Training
PED 1520 / 2 credits / Every semester
The effects of weight training on the human body. The course combines both lecture and physical activity and includes fitness evaluations, weight training safety, basic weight training programs, weight training for women, aerobic training, and proper lifting techniques. Reading is required to gain the knowledge needed to develop individual training programs.

Aerobic Fitness and Weight Management
PED 1525 / 2 credits / Every semester
Tone up, slim down, and improve your cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness with aerobic routines and healthy eating habits. Students work toward individualized fitness and weight goals under the guidance of the instructor and learn to identify and change unhealthy eating habits. Techniques for managing weight and stress associated with eating problems are also covered. A textbook and lectures supplement the aerobic exercise program.

Athletic Training/Sports First Aid
PED 1535 / 2 credits / Every semester
This course helps students develop a basic knowledge of first aid, responding to emergencies, athletic injuries, taping, and rehabilitation. All students receive the American Red Cross Professional Rescuer/AED certification. In addition to weekly lectures, each student engages in outside-of-class athletic coverage at Purchase College.

Stress Management
PED 1580 / 1 credit / Fall
Focuses on the mind-body relationship and identifies stress factors and their influences on health and wellness. Students are also introduced to a variety of modalities used to reduce and manage stress (e.g., biofeedback, guided imagery, the influence of music, relaxation techniques, massage and acupressure, Chi therapy, breathing and meditation, nature walks, low-impact exercise, multisensory therapies).

Aerobic Exercise
PED 1620 / 1 credit / Every semester
The development of body strength, flexibility, poise, and cardiovascular fitness are emphasized through a varied combination of exercise routines. Total health is emphasized through discussions on nutrition, back care, posture, stress management, and goal setting.

Personal Health and Wellness
PED 1640 / 2 credits / Every semester
An introduction to health and wellness concepts for the college student's lifestyle. All of the dimensions of wellness are embodied in a behavioral change project designed for each student. Topics include: physical health, sexual health, stress management, drug and alcohol use, healthy relationships, and healthy eating strategies.

Middle Eastern Belly Dancing
PED 1650 / 1 credit / Every semester
Students learn the fundamentals of belly dancing (e.g., hip circles, undulations, shimmies) and progress to layering of movements. Familiarity with Arabic rhythms, cultural knowledge as it pertains to this dance form, finger cymbals, veil work, and choreography are covered. The natural movements of belly dancing, which improve flexibility, endurance, and coordination, are appropriate for all fitness levels.

Original Pilates Mat Workout
PED 1700 / 1 credit / Every semester
In this half-semester course, students learn about the history and development of the Pilates body conditioning method, as well as basic Pilates mat exercise workout routines. Topics include: the six major principles of the Pilates body conditioning method; the five characteristics of the mind; the "Powerhouse" and core stabilization development and its importance in physical conditioning. Students apply these concepts in their workouts.

Introduction to Springboard Diving
PED 2030 / 1 credit / Spring
The basics of safe and efficient springboard diving. The course begins with the dive off the poolside, followed by the proper approach and hurdle performed on the diving board, proper body alignment, and the keys to splashless entries. Students learn basic dives, and some progress to somersaulting and twisting dives. Also covered: how to judge diving and the advanced training and analytical tools used in the sport.

Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.)
PED 2035 Go to GND 2035 in Women’s Studies Courses for description.

Circus Clowning/Acrobatics
PED 2150 / 1 credit / Every semester
Students are exposed to clowning skills, physical comedy, a brief history of clowning, development of their own unique clown character, basic clown routines, makeup, and acrobatics. For their final class project, students are required to present their clown character, along with skills they developed in class, in a short performance routine.

Varsity Sports Participation
PED 2880 / 1 credit / Every semester
Students earn this physical education credit by participating on a varsity athletic team.
Requirements: Academic and medical eligibility, and participation in practices and athletic contests for the duration of the athletic season.

College Health Promotion
PED 3025 / 2 credits / Every semester
This course includes weekly instruction and a service learning component, in which students work as peer educators each week for the Office of Health and Peer Education. Students become involved in all campus-wide health promotion initiatives, including those relating to relationship violence, sexual health, alcohol and drugs, and wellness. Students assist with running the Peer Education Center, research of health promotion materials, events promotion, awareness programming, and resource tabling.
Corequisite: PED 1640 or permission of instructor

Updated Jan. 29, 2008