Course Description
An introduction to adapted physical activity (sport, physical education, exercise for individuals with disabilities) across the lifespan. Topics include disability sport content, historical perspectives, identity, and lived experiences in physical activity contexts. Students will work with an adapted sports program to enhance their understanding of disability characteristics and appropriate instruction.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to prepare an academic conference-style presentation of their final project. Presenters must prepare a slide deck of information relevant to their topic, deliver the presentation with a professional demeanor, and answer questions form the audience (i.e., classmates and faculty). Presentations should take between 10-12 minutes, followed by 2-3 minutes for questions.
Athena Title
Adap Spt Phys Act
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The student will be able to: 1. Identify and discuss rules, gameplay, and classification systems for a variety of adapted sports. 2. Plan and deliver quality disability sports sessions to young athletes with disabilities in a recreational context. 3. Discuss conceptualizations of disability, including the social and medical models of disability discourse. 4. Discuss various conceptualizations of inclusion in adapted physical activity contexts. 5. Discuss factors related to physical activity engagement for individuals with disabilities. 6. Discuss disability perspectives on adapted sport. 7. Reflect on current research in adapted physical education/activity and identify strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement. 8. Develop a scholarly product related to adapted physical education/activity such as: • A detailed coaching plan including sample coaching session plans. • A methods proposal for a future study in adapted physical activity. • A research-to-practice paper.
Topical Outline
Intro and Policies; Historical Perspectives Paralympic Games Sport Topic: Visually Impaired Sport 1 Sport Topic: Visually Impaired Sport 2 Models of Disability Classification in Adapted Sport Wheelchair Sport (1) Wheelchair Sport (2) Factors Related to PA Special Olympics Sport Topic: Misc. Sports and Games Disability Perspectives on Adapted Sport Coaching Topics in Adapted Sport
Syllabus