Physical Activities
The purpose of the physical activities program is to provide each Erskine College student with a variety of opportunities for involvement in vigorous physical activity. The goals of this program are to increase physical fitness, reduce stress and anxiety, promote healthy social interactions among students, enhance motor skills, build physical confidence, and promote a lifelong interest in physical activity and healthful living.
The personal wellness component of the general education requirement consists of one physical activity (1 s.h.) and a choice of one course from the following: PE 201, 216, 317, 417; PY 208, 306; SO 202, 330. Two additional physical activity courses may be taken as electives for credit. Students who are not physically or emotionally able to participate in the regular physical activities program must present a medical excuse to the Registrar prior to the beginning of the semester and a modified program will be developed.
A physical activity credit may be earned through participation in a varsity sport, cheerleading, or the dance team. Only one credit may be earned in this manner, regardless of the number of sports played or the number of years of participation.
Physical Activity 122 is a special, one-hour course required of all majors in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education. This course features a variety of developmental games and activities and is designed to prepare prospective teachers to teach elementary physical education.
Physical Education
Physical Education majors must take a minimum of 37 hours in physical education, and those seeking teacher certification must complete additional requirements including field experiences at both the elementary and secondary levels, student teaching, and a sequence of required education courses. Candidates for certification must meet all requirements as described in the Teacher Education Handbook.
Majors in physical education will be expected to obtain an acceptable level of general knowledge and understanding, within the biological sciences, relative to the structure and functioning of the human body and principles of human movement. They will also be expected to develop those specific skills and competencies needed for effective teaching in physical education. These skills and competencies will include perceptual motor learning and general skill acquisition, as well as teaching methods in lifetime and team sports, rhythms and dance, aquatics, and outdoor recreational activities. Further, majors will be expected to demonstrate those competencies needed for the efficient organization and administration of physical education, intramural and athletic programs.
Finally, physical education majors at Erskine College will be expected to become physical education enthusiasts. Majors are expected to become positive role models and excellent motivators as well as inspirational leaders, dynamic teachers, and builders of self-esteem in children.
The following are the departmental requirements for a major in Physical Education: Thirty-seven hours of course work in physical education, including: 201, 206, 208, 214, 218, 226, 303, 402, 403, and 420, and six additional hours to be selected from: 205, 207, 308, 310, 317, and 417. In addition, Biology 210 (4 s.h.) is required and is a prerequisite for both PE 402 and PE 403.
Majors who wish to be certified to teach physical education must meet all of the requirements as stated above, plus: PE 412 - Field Experience in Elementary Teaching, ED 202 – Foundations & Teacher’s Shadow, and PE 424 (student teaching). One of the two field experiences (PE 412 and ED 203) must be at the elementary level and the other at the secondary level. Further, ED 210, ED 301, SE 212, ED 300, and ED 302 are required, and the student must complete a course in either art or music. ED 418, SE 213, and ED 419 are also required (these are one-semester hour field experiences that accompany ED 301, SE 212, and ED 302 respectively). Refer to pages 80 and 81 for additional requirements for program admission and eligibility for student teaching.
Applications for student teaching should be filed with the head of the Department of Education by March 1 of the junior year. Student teaching must be done during the year as specified by the head of the department and all credit must be granted during one semester. A GPR of 2.5 at the end of the junior year is required.
A minor in Physical Education consists of 12 hours, including 218, 303, 402 or 403, and 420.
Sports Management
Majors in Sports Management-Fitness Concentration will be expected to attain a clear understanding of the basic concepts of the exercise sciences, health, nutrition, and the care and prevention of injuries, as well as the basic concepts of sound fiscal management and business promotion. These majors will be prepared to successfully pursue entrepreneurial interests within the broad healthful-living field.
Students majoring in Sports Management-Fitness Concentration will be required to take 48 semester hours within the major. The required courses include: PE 201, 218, 226, 317, 402, 403, 417, 418, 429, and BG 210, plus BA 221, 222, 233, 251, 252, and two from BA 231, 321, 323, 324, 334, 341, 343, 345, 425, and 456.