Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Functional Kinesiology (Face-to-Face)

KIN 3020-02

Course: KIN 3020-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Kinesiology & Outdoor Rec
CRN: 30929

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. 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
  • Overview: Regular in-class active learning (VR, landmarks, grab bags) will occur regularly throughout the semester and may be preannounced or unannounced.
  • Criteria: Activities are graded on a Pass/Fail (Complete / Incomplete) basis:
    • Complete: Earned by arriving on time, remaining for the entire session, engaging fully in activities, and submitting complete work on Canvas with a good-faith effort.
    • Incomplete: Awarded for late arrival, early departure, passive engagement, incomplete submissions, or late uploads.
  • Point Calculation: Your overall participation score is calculated at the end of the semester by taking your percentage of "Complete" assignments and multiplying it by total available participation points.
  • Grace Policy: Your lowest single participation score is automatically dropped (includes unexcused absences).
Workbook Assignments
  • Overview: You will complete low-stakes activities on Canvas (~3.5 pts each) using interactive formats (hot spot, matching, categorizing, etc.)
  • Self-Assessment & Calibration: While resources are permitted, attempting questions without notes etc. serves as a realistic "calibration" tool to gauge your mastery of the material. 
  • Due Dates & Retakes: Canvas due dates guide ideal pacing, but workbook assignments remain open for unlimited retakes until the end of the semester, with your highest score recorded. Using retakes throughout the term provides you with the opportunity for vital retrieval practice to strengthen long-term retention.
  • Format Distinction: Workbook questions frequently use diagrams and images to help build your initial understanding. Quizzes and exams do not contain visual diagrams (diagrams reappear only on the comprehensive final exam); thus, you should use the provided section "pre-quizzes" to familiarize yourself with actual exam question formats.
Quizzes
  • Overview: You will complete six timed, closed-resource (no notes, devices, headphones, or collaboration) Canvas quizzes administered during regular class time. These may consist of various testing formats (e.g., true/false, multiple choice, matching).
  • Retake Policy:
    • You may retake a quiz and unlimited number of times prior to the due date of the next quiz, with at least a day between retakes.
    • Retakes must be completed in person at the PEB conference room and scheduled with the instructor ahead of time.
    • Note: You cannot retake a quiz if you had an unexcused absence on the original test day. The highest earned score is recorded.
  • Grace Policy: Your single lowest quiz score of the semester is automatically dropped (includes unexcused absences).
Exams
  • Overview: You will complete four exams throughout the semester at the Testing Center during the published availability window. These may consist of various testing formats (e.g., true/false, multiple choice, short answer).
  • Policies: Exams close strictly on their assigned due dates; late submissions will not be accepted (including last-minute unforeseen circumstances, so please plan accordingly) . You are responsible for scheduling around Testing Center hours (https://www.suu.edu/academicsuccess/testing-center/
    Links to an external site.;typically 8:30 a.m. start, 7:00 p.m. last check-in, M–F).
  • Grace Policy: Your single lowest exam score of the semester is automatically dropped (includes unexcused absences).
Movement Analysis
  • Overview: You will be assigned to a group during the semester (assignments are made a few weeks into the semester to accommodate course add/drops), and each group will be assigned a common exercise/body movement to analyze at that time.
  • Key Milestones:
    • Initial Group Meeting: Meet synchronously (in person or via Zoom/Google Meet) to complete and submit the initial meeting worksheet by the Canvas due date. Please see the "Movement Analysis Initial Group Meeting" instructions posted to Canvas for details. 
    • Presentation: Record and submit on Canvas a group presentation using slides (e.g., PPT) and a video recording (e.g., Zoom). Please see the "Movement Analysis" instructions posted on Canvas for details.
    • Project Audit: Complete an individual review  checklist to spot common errors, participate in a group evaluation discussion before final submission, and complete the NACE teamwork competency self-assessment. This audit must be completed by the group prior to submitting the materials for review (optional submission) and final submission.
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

Assignments/Quizzes/Exams Late Work Policy
  • Deadlines & Late Submissions: All coursework must be completed by the scheduled date and time posted on Canvas. Late submissions receive a score of zero unless prior approval is granted by the instructor.
  • Exceptions & Excused Absences: Makeup work or deadline extensions are only permitted for: 
    • Approved school-related activities communicated to the instructor prior to the due date.
    • Extreme medical or family emergencies communicated in a timely manner (generally prior to the due date). Supporting documentation (e.g., physician note, funeral program) may be requested.
Make-Up Work/Extra Credit
  • Policy: Individual makeup work or extra credit assignments are not offered outside of the specific policies outlined in this syllabus. If an unplanned  extra credit opportunity arises, it will be made available to the entire class.

Attendance Policy

  • Time Commitment: This is a three-credit course; expect to spend a minimum of 6 hours per week on independent study and preparation outside of class (see required syllabus statements).
  • Classroom Format: This course utilizes a modified "flipped lecture" approach. Online lecture videos must be viewed prior to class so that in-person time can be dedicated to active learning activities and application. The course meets three times per week and attendance is expected.
  • Managing Absences: If you miss class, you are responsible for obtaining notes, materials, and announcements from classmates. The instructor is happy to clarify specific questions during office hours after you have reviewed peer materials, but private re-lectures will not be provided.

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.