Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Special Topics & Issues (Online)

KIN 6020-70I

Course: KIN 6020-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31389

Course Description

Special topics and issues in sport conditioning and performance. May be repeated once for credit. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): KIN 6080 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Can be taken concurrent with KIN 6080 Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6 Registration Restriction(s): Sports Conditioning and Performance majors only

Required Texts

There is no required text. Required readings, instructions, and other important documents will be available through Canvas. 

Learning Outcomes

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the conclusion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

Primary Objective

1.      Demonstrate the ability to prepare and present professional-level, scholarly, evidence-based presentations and lead a discussion on an approved topic related to exercise assessment, training, programming, and risks and benefits in special populations.  


Secondary Objectives (as a presenter and a participant):

2.      Demonstrate an understanding of the historical framework/background information and prevalence of each condition/special population discussed throughout the semester.

3.      Describe physiological, social, emotional, and neurological aspects relevant to each special population discussed. 

4.      Describe relevant short-term and long-term prognosis, quality of life, and unique health concerns for each special population discussed, including common medications and side effects.

5.      Describe the potential short and long-term benefits of a properly prescribed exercise program.

6.      Describe the potential short and long-term risks and consequences of improperly prescribed exercise and exercise in general.

7.      Create and describe a case study of an individual within your “special population” and demonstrate how you would assess the individual’s current fitness level, health and ability to exercise, and based on those findings provide exercise recommendations that align with their current abilities and goals while considering all special needs. 

Course Requirements

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 

This will primarily be a project and discussion-based class. You will have several assignments that will culminate into two 20-minute online presentations. You will also lead a discussion related to your topic and one of your presentations. You will also view your peers’ presentations and participate in the discussions that they lead. 

To meet the course learning outcomes students will complete the following assignments/project requirements:        

1. Choose a “special population” from a list that I provide (or another "special population” with my approval).

2. Find and read scholarly and non-scholarly resources pertaining to your special population and the presentation requirements (see below).

The scope of each presentation is as follows:

               a. Presentation 1: You will detail information about the special population and their unique medical condition(s) and needs. Specifically: the historical framework/background information and prevalence of the condition/special population; relevant physiological, social, emotional, and neurological aspects of the condition; and the relevant short-term and long-term prognosis, quality of life, and unique health concerns including common medications and side effects.

               b. Presentation 2: In this presentation you will describe the potential short and long-term benefits of a properly prescribed exercise program; the potential short and long-term risks and consequences of improperly prescribed exercise and exercise in general and (drumroll please), create and describe a case study of an individual within your “special population” and demonstrate how you would assess the individual’s current fitness level, health and ability to exercise, and based on those findings provide exercise recommendations that align with their with their current abilities and goals while considering all special medical needs.

3. Complete ONE synthesis matrix to summarize all your information and summarize how you will organize your information for your presentations. 

4. Write two presentation proposals (using a template that I provide) that include your presentation objectives for the audience and a detailed outline of each presentation.

5. Create thought-provoking discussion questions that, for a peer/viewer to answer in a meaningful manner, require viewing the presentation, thoroughly reading the supplementary materials that you assign, AND finding and citing additional resources. Assign articles for your peers to read either before or after they watch your presentation.

6. Scaffold the PowerPoint slides and rehearse the presentation (recorded and submitted for peer and instructor feedback). 

7. Clean up the presentation, make sure you are meeting the main objectives you outlined in your proposal. Make sure you are following the presentation rubric. Make it shiny and polished. Submit it and revel in your glory. 

8. Summarize your presentations in the form of an abstract

9. Post your abstract and discussion questions along with your presentation videos. Lead your peers in a discussion on your topic using your presentation, your chosen assigned supplementary materials, and your discussion questions. You will also be required to reply to your peers’ responses with accurate answers and additional resources.

Details for each requirement will be posted on the Canvas website.

Course Outline

 What’s Due | Points
| Week 1 | Intro Discussion and Special Population Selection | 10
| Week 2 | Reference Assignment | 10
| Week 3 | Synthesis Assignement Part B1 (Basic Matrix 20 Points) & Part D (References 5 Points) | 25
 | Week 4 | Synthesis Assignment Part A (Intro and Background 10 Points) and Part B2 (Themed Matrix 25 Points) | 35
| Week 5 | Part C of Synthesis Assignment  | 30
 | Week 6 | Rough Draft of Presentation 1 (Audio & Video Required) & rubric-based self-evaluation w/comments for improvements | 30
 | Week 7 | Final Draft of Presentation 1  | 75
 | Week 8 | Rough Draft of Presentation 2 (Audio & Video Required) & rubric-based self-evaluation w/comments for improvements | 30
 | Week 9 | Final Draft of Presentation 2 | 75
 | Week 10 | Abstract (Single combined summary encompassing both presentations) & Discussion Questions  | 25
 | Week 11 | Evaluations & Discussion for Group 1 Presentations | TBD
 | Week 12 | Evaluations & Discussion for Group 2 Presentations | TBD
 |   | Thanksgiving no class (get a head start on presentations if desired) 
 | Week 13 | Evaluations & Discussion for Group 3 Presentations | TBD
 | Week 14 | Evaluations & Discussion for Group 4 Presentations | TBD
 

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


Late Policy:
Due to the dynamic nature of this course and our inter-dependence on each other to complete discussions, submit presentations and discussion questions on time, etc.. late work will NOT be accepted. If you anticipate a time conflict, contact me as soon as possible (PRIOR to the due date) and I will do my best to make accommodations for you. If an emergency or similar unforeseen event occurs, please contact me as soon as it’s feasible (e.g., same day or within 24 hours) and we’ll talk about making up course material and assignments you might have missed. 


If you are traveling to or participating in, a university event, please let me know ahead of time so we can make arrangements regarding the course material and assignments. If you keep the lines of communication open, we’ll be able to better handle any situations that may arise. Thanks for your help with this.

Attendance Policy

Not Applicable - online asynchronous course

Course Fees

Not Applicable

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.