Undergraduate Programs
The word kinesiology comes from the Greek word kinesis, which means “to move.” Kinesiology is the study of the art and science of human movement. At 鶹AV, the discipline of kinesiology is dedicated to the study of human movement and physical activity as it relates to sport, dance, and exercise.
The Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Northridge offers five options in Kinesiology. Listed below are the links to each of the options.
This option is designed to prepare the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to analyze movement and to conduct and administer physical fitness programs. The option is particularly valuable for the student interested in employment in fitness assessment labs or fitness centers.
Located in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, a region that is densely populated with dance studios and professional opportunities, 鶹AV is an ideal setting for students who want to continue their dance studies. Attracting students from disparate geographical regions and from different cultural backgrounds, 鶹AV offers several dance programs, all designed to meet the needs of undergraduate and graduate students.
Currently, the Department of Kinesiology offers not only a major in Kinesiology with a specialty in dance (Dance Option) but also a Dance Minor available for students obtaining a BA or BS with a major in another discipline.
鶹AV dance is a dynamic, rapidly growing area of study – one that draws students with an interest in performance and/or pedagogy. Within the Department of Kinesiology, and in collaboration with the Music and Theatre Departments, three concerts are produced each academic year, while multiple studio performances are offered at the completion of each semester.
Outreach programs are currently being developed, including collaborations with professional dance groups in the Los Angeles community. The Department of Kinesiology and College of Health and Human Development believe 鶹AV dance students will be active participants in all aspects of the dance activities offered at 鶹AV.
This option is designed to prepare the student with the necessary knowledge and skills to analyze movement and to conduct and administer physical fitness programs. This option is ideal forthose intending to pursue graduate study in a varietyof allied health fields (e.g. Physical Therapy, MedicalSchool, etc.).
The option requires courses in:
- Basic physics and chemistry
- Motor Learning, Control, and Development
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Physiology
Along with elective courses to provide specialized training in an area of interest.
Purpose
Physical Education Teacher Education prepares professionals capable of delivering diverse programs that promote self-directed, responsible, physically active lifestyles in school aged children and youth in urban settings across the state and region.
Goals
Students will:
- Demonstrate anunderstanding of the urbanchild and the nature of urban contexts in relation to positive lifestyle choices through human movement.
- Demonstrate knowledge and appropriate application ofpedagogical contentknowledgeof human movement across diverse settings and age groups through human movement.
- Demonstrate knowledge of diverse physical educationprograms and curricular planningto ensure student learning in a supportive learning environment.
- Effectivelyapply pedagogicalskills and kinesiological principles in diverse activity settings.
- Demonstrate the ability to write and speak effectively inmultiple contextswith diverse populations.
- Integrate technologywithin movement settings to enhance communication, assessment and learning.
- Create a learningenvironment characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time.
- Demonstratecommitment to continuous professionalgrowth.
Objectives
Students earning a BS in the Physical Education Option will have demonstrated the following through course work and application:
- Abilityto serve as a change agent for the promotion of positive lifestyle choices for learners in urban settings.
- Anunderstandingof physical education content knowledge, disciplinary concepts and tools of inquiry related to the development of a physically educated and physically active person.
- An understanding of how individuals learn and develop, and canprovideopportunities that support their physical, cognitive, social and emotional development in human movement settings.
- An understanding of how individuals differ in theirapproaches to learninghuman movement and create appropriate instruction adapted to diverse learners.
- An understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior in order to create a learning environment thatencourages positive socialinteracting, active engagement in physical activity, learning and self-motivation through human movement.
- An ability tocreate a learningenvironment characterized by acceptable student behavior, efficient use of time, and disciplined acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding in a human movement setting.
- Theeffectiveuse of verbal, nonverbal and mediacommunicationand technological techniques to foster inquiry, collaboration and engagement in physical activity.
- Planning and implementation of a variety of developmentallyappropriate instructionalstrategies to develop physically educated and active individuals.
- An understanding and use of formal and informalassessment strategiesto foster physical cognitive, social and emotional development of learners in physical activity.
- Areflective practitionerwho evaluates the effects of his/her actions on others in developing human movement.
- Thefostering of relationshipswith colleagues, parents/guardians and community agencies to encourage a lifetime of physical activity.
This option is designed for students who have an interest in sport but do not want to become physical education teachers or clinicians in exercise science related occupations. The Sport Studies option focuses on the critical examination of sport in the contexts ofhistorical and contemporary society, emphasizing skills in cultural analysis and critical thinking pertaining to the administration, leadership, psychological, historical, philosophical, and sociological aspects ofsport. The BS in Sport Studies will prepare students for careers in sport leadership as well as for graduate work in sport studies, sport management, or other related fields.