Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Back to Syllabus Search | Browse by Department
Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

KIN 3020-01 Fall 2025

KIN 3020-01

Course: KIN 3020-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31341

Course Description

This course is designed to develop strong foundational knowledge of structural and functional aspects of human movement. An emphasis is placed on musculoskeletal anatomy (muscle origin & insertion), function (muscle action), and application of these principles to human movement. (Fall, Spring, Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Corequisite(s): KIN 3025; or instructor permission Prerequisite(s): (BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1025) or (BIOL 2320 and [BIOL 2325 or BIOL 2323]) - Prerequisite Minimum Grade: C-

Required Texts

Biel, A. (2019). Trail Guide to the Body (6th ed.): Books of Discovery. ISBN: 978-0-9987850-6-6.

Optional Text

The publisher of your textbook (Books of Discovery) offers an app that can be purchased from the app store or google play store ($19.99). This is optional, but many students find it helpful for studying the origin/insertion/action of the assigned muscles. For more details please visit https://booksofdiscovery.com/product/anatomymapp

Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Describe anatomical position and directional terms, as well as planes of motion and corresponding axes of rotation. 
2. Differentiate anatomical structures involved in body movement (bone, joint, muscle, ligament, etc.) and discuss their classification systems.
3. Compare and contrast anatomical levers applicable to human movement, as well as identify specific examples of each.
4. Discuss mechanoreceptors related to human movement (GTO, muscle spindle, etc.).
5. Differentiate muscle roles (agonist, antagonist, stabilizer, neutralizer, etc.) and demonstrate types of muscle actions (concentric, eccentric, etc.).
6. Identify major bones of the body and bony landmarks that serve as sites of muscle attachment.
7. Identify major joints of the body while demonstrating their corresponding anatomical movements.
8. Differentiate the origin, insertion and action of the major muscles of the upper and lower extremities, as well as the spine & trunk.
9. Discuss muscle principles involved in movement (length-tension, force-velocity, force vs. power, etc.).
10. Analyze exercises/body movements commonly used for the development of muscular characteristics.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identifies and promotes career readiness competencies. These are skills and abilities considered to be essential for successful entry into the workforce and for career success. Teamwork is one of the 8 NACE competencies, and is an applicable outcome to this course, as the movement analysis is a group assignment. As such, upon completion of the course, students will also be able to:
1. Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities (https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined#competenciesNACE competencies).

Course Requirements

Participation/Engagement
To receive full participation/engagement points you must be on time and attend classes during which associated active learning activities take place. The active learning activities will often have an associated "worksheet", or other form of evidence, that must be turned in via upload by the due date announced in class and provided on Canvas (usually prior to the start of the following class period). Individual participation/engagement worksheets/forms of evidence may consist of various formats (e.g., VR worksheets, bony landmark responses, grab bag scores, etc.) and they will be graded using a pass/fail approach. Those fully completed with a good faith effort will receive a "complete", whereas those that are not fully completed or demonstrating poor effort will be awarded "incomplete" grades. The "overall participation/engagement" Canvas assignment will be used to reflect the total number of points earned from individual participation/engagement active learning activities over the course of the semester. This is done be taking the percentage of "complete" individual participation/engagement assignments and multiplying it by the total number of points possible. These assignments may be preannounced or unannounced, thus it is important that you attend each class throughout the semester.   

Workbook Assignments
Workbook activities will be assigned throughout the semester and are intended to reinforce content covered in assigned readings and lectures (including flipped lecture videos and in person); thus assigned textbook readings and lecture materials for each module are useful resources to complete these assignments. However, your ability to answer the questions without the simultaneous use of these resources may indicate your overall understanding of the material. These assignments are intended to serve as low stakes testing (e.g., worth 2.75-3.5 pts/wkst), thus each worksheet may be completed as many times as you would like prior to the end of the semester; with the highest score earned being included in your overall grade. Workbook assignments include a due date to provide insight in terms of the timing by which you should have mastered content, but are accessible beyond the due date to allow you to use them for further practice/improve scores as needed. Instructions are provided within each assignment and activities may consist of various formats (hot spot, matching, categorizing, etc.). You will be required to complete these using Canvas and you must submit each assignment no later than the associated available date provided on Canvas to earn credit. 

  • Please NOTE: workbook assignments are intended to help in developing your understanding of the course content, thus they cover content tested by quizzes/exams but are NOT formatted exactly like most quizzes/exams. In particular, questions on workbook assignments often include pictures/diagrams due to the developing nature of your understanding of the content, while there are no pictures/diagrams on quizzes or exams prior to the comprehensive final exam. A pre-quiz is provided in each section to provide you with a better example of more common quiz/exam question formatting. The comprehensive final exam will include some questions formatted exactly like the workbook, with other questions similar to previous quizzes/exams.

Quizzes
Six content quizzes will be given throughout the semester and are intended to encourage you to regularly study the material throughout the semester. They are also designed to measure your attainment and retention of the information. These may consist of various testing formats (e.g., true/false, multiple choice, matching).

  • Quizzes will be completed during class time via Canvas and a time limit for each quiz will exist. All quizzes MUST be taken during the class period and time period outlined by the instructor and in Canvas (see tentative schedule below & Canvas for specific due dates). As these quizzes are an opportunity to demonstrate what you have learned throughout the module/semester you should not talk, use headphones, a textbook/notes, other electronic devices/screens, etc. during the quiz. Because of the limited time available, you must be familiar with the content in order to finish in the allotted time.  
    • The lowest quiz score of the semester will be dropped and will not count toward the final grade.
    • You may re-take quizzes as many times as you would like prior to the due date of the next quiz, with the highest score counting toward your grade. For example, if you would like to retake quiz 1, you must do so prior to the date in which quiz 2 will be taken. You must re-take them in person in the PEB conference room at a date and time agreed upon with the instructor. In addition, you cannot re-take a quiz for which you were not present in class and/or for which you were not excused prior to the quiz being taken in class.  

Exams
Four exams will be given throughout the semester and are designed to measure your attainment and retention of content covered during this course. These may consist of various testing formats (e.g., true/false, multiple choice, short answer).

  • The exams must be taken at the testing center during the availability period; which will be published on Canvas. It is your responsibility to be familiar with the SUU testing center hours of operation and policies (https://www.suu.edu/academicsuccess/testing-center/), but in general the center opens at 8:30 a.m. and the last check-in time is 7 p.m. M-F.  Exams that are late will NOT be accepted. Please plan accordingly! (This includes unforeseen last minute difficulties). Exams will NOT be available after the assigned due date (see policy below). Each exam will have a time limit, thus due to the limited time available, you must be familiar with the content in order to finish in the allotted time.  
    • The lowest exam score of the semester will be dropped and will not count toward the final grade.

Movement Analysis
You will be assigned to a group during the semester (I wait a few weeks to make the assignments, in case students drop the course) and each group will be assigned a common exercise/body movement at that time (Note: your group name corresponds to your assigned exercise/body movement). Throughout the semester you will need to complete various components associated with this assignment as a group or individually by following the instructions posted on Canvas.  The following components are associated with this assignment:

  • Movement Analysis Initial Group Meeting 
    • This meeting requires the group to hold a meeting (in person or using Zoom, Google Meet, etc.) in which all members are present and complete the initial meeting worksheet as a group. Each group must initially meet by the assigned due date (See Canvas calendar and course summary)
  • Movement Analysis 
    • Your group must subsequently analyze the assigned movement and create a presentation to be uploaded to Canvas for the instructor to view near the end of the semester. The presentation must use an electronic format that can be recorded and posted to Canvas (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.). In addition, the presentation must utilize a form of “presenter media” (PowerPoint, etc.).
  • Movement Analysis Self-Audit. 
    • You will use a checklist created by the instructor to check your group project submission for common mistakes. This audit must be completed by the group prior to submitting the materials for review (optional submission) and final submission. The goal of the audit is to ask you to reflect on your answers and ability to apply the course concepts in your group project. The results of the audit should provide guidance for any changes needed prior to submission to give the group the best chance of doing well on the project. The audit will also include a NACE self-assessment.

Assessment/Evaluation/Grading
Participation/Engagement 8.6% (56 points)
Workbook Assignments 16.1% (105 points)
Quizzes *Lowest score of 6 quizzes will be dropped; 3.8% (90 points)
Exams *Lowest of 4 exams will be dropped; 46.1% (300 points)
Movement Analysis 15.4% (100 points)
Total: 100% (651 points)

The following grading standards will be used in this class:

Grade Range
A | ≥94
A- | 90-93%
B+ | 88-89%
B | 84-87%
B- | 80-83%
C+ | 78-79%
C | 74-77%
C- | 70-73%
D+ | 68-69%
D | 64-67%
D- | 60-63%
F | ≤59%

Course Outline

Module 1: Basic functional kinesiology terms and concepts will be covered. These include: anatomical structures and their classification, as well as anatomical positions, planes of motion and corresponding axes of rotation. General muscle principles will also be introduced. Bony anatomy, joint movements and applicable musculature to the spine & thorax will be discussed. 
Module 2: Bony anatomy, joint movements and applicable musculature to the lower extremity will be covered. 
Module 3: Bony anatomy, joint movements and applicable musculature to the upper extremity will be covered. 
Module 4: Movement analysis and muscle principles in movement will be covered. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All assignments, quizzes and exams must be completed by the scheduled date and time (see tentative schedule & Canvas Calendar for specific due dates & time), unless PRIOR consent is given by the instructor. If you miss class you will not receive any credit for in-class activities (VR, etc.) and you will not be allowed to makeup activities/assignments missed (VR, quizzes, exams, etc.).Exceptions to this policy will only be made if the student misses:

  1. for school-related activities that are made known to the instructor PRIOR to the due date.
  2. for extreme medical or family emergencies (proper evidence may be requested; e.g., physician note, funeral program) within a week of occurrence.

I do not offer individual make-up or extra credit assignments, outside of those explicitly discussed in the syllabus. In general, I do not offer extra-credit, but if an opportunity arises it will be offered to all students.

Attendance Policy

This is a three-credit course, which generally equates to a minimum of 6 hours of student work each week outside of class (see required syllabus statements). The general course structure will consist of three face-to-face meeting days per week. It will also utilize a modified "flipped lecture" approach in which content will be provided via online lecture videos, allowing us to use valuable class time more effectively for learning/application activities (VR, etc.). This approach also allows you to review lectures as needed.

To ensure you understand and are able to apply the materials covered in this course, attendance and active participation are expected (with participation/engagement points tied to attendance). This also includes watching the flipped lecture videos and becoming familiar with their content prior to classes in which it will be further discussed/applied. If you miss a class, you are responsible to get all missed material, announcements, assignments, and class discussion notes from other students. After you have reviewed the materials from other students, I am happy to clarify specific points that remain unclear during office hours. However, I will not provide private lectures (e.g., go over every single point).  You are also expected to come to class on time.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.