PE Course Descriptions

 


The required Physical Education program offers a variety of activities in the areas of strength training, dance, cardio fitness, martial arts, individual and dual sports, team sports, and outdoor education. It is our goal that the experiences provided by these activities will contribute to the development of an active, healthy lifestyle.

The courses offered by the Physical Education Department are listed in the Directory of Classes and in the link below. CC/SEAS students may register on-line during their scheduled appointment times.

View our Course Instructor, Time & Location info (must be logged onto Lionmail to view). 

Course specific descriptions are below. 

All orientations will take place where the course will meet (for instance, basketball meets in the Blue Gym). Please allow yourself extra time to find the space, especially if you are new to the Dodge Fitness Center. See specific meeting dates and course locations here.

Find out more information about each course via Courseworks: see directions on how to access without being registered. Visit the Quizzes and Syllabus page in Courseworks to find out more about course expectations.

All classes are in person.

Please see specific course descriptions for more details.

Fitness

This course focuses on improving cardiovascular fitness through walking, jogging, and ultimately running outside. Students will be encouraged to build walking and/or running endurance in order to improve cardiovascular health and physical well-being. Upon completion, students will understand and appreciate the lifelong benefits derived from these activities. 

This course meets weekly in person for the first 6 weeks of the semester. Short asynchronous lectures and information posted weekly. Students will submit asynchronous physical activity (between 120-150 minutes) weekly. In order to do this, students must have the ability to track walking outdoors, including route, distance, date, time, and duration. 

Through this course, students will improve their running competency as demonstrated by improved times, distances, or perceived confidence. 

Running promotes cardiovascular fitness, functional health, stress management, and other positive health outcomes. Students will learn to build running endurance in order to improve cardiovascular health and physical well-being. The course will address components of good running form, progressive training, complementary strength training exercises, and basic nutrition. Warm ups and cool downs will be emphasized in order to create a balanced workout. Suggested safety tips will also be addressed in order to encourage safe physical activity outdoors in a variety of environments. Upon completion, students will understand and appreciate the lifelong benefits derived from these activities.

This course runs for 10 weeks during the semester. Class will meet in person weekly. Students will also complete asynchronous assignments, such as weekly physical activity (between 90-120 minutes) and occasional asynchronous lectures/assignments.

Students must have the ability to track running outdoors, including route, distance, date, time, and duration.

Through this course, students will improve their running competency as demonstrated by improved times, distances, or perceived confidence. 

Running promotes cardiovascular fitness, functional health, stress management, and other positive health outcomes. Students will learn to build running endurance in order to improve cardiovascular health and physical well-being. The course will address components of good running form, progressive training, complementary strength training exercises, and basic nutrition. Warm ups and cool downs will be emphasized in order to create a balanced workout. Suggested safety tips will also be addressed in order to encourage safe physical activity outdoors in a variety of environments. Upon completion, students will understand and appreciate the lifelong benefits derived from these activities.

This course runs for 10 weeks during the semester. Class will meet in person weekly. Students will also complete asynchronous assignments, such as weekly physical activity (between 90-120 minutes) and occasional asynchronous lectures/assignments.

Students must have the ability to track running outdoors, including route, distance, date, time, and duration.

In this class, students will learn the basic components of Pilates exercises, core exercises, functional movements. This course approaches the Pilates method and basic Pilates Principles of Concentration, Center, Control, Fluidity, Precision and Breath actively with exercises that promote global body awareness.   

Class will meet in person in Aerobics Room 3 of the Dodge Fitness Center, during scheduled hours. 

This course focuses on improving physical fitness with an emphasis on functional movement patterns that reflect activities of daily living. Students will learn about different metabolic pathways, along with various components of fitness such as cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. Students will engage in exercise workouts that encompass different areas of physical conditioning such as: strength, power, speed, flexibility, balance, agility, coordination and endurance. Upon completion, students will understand and appreciate the lifelong benefits derived from these workouts.   

Class will meet twice weekly in person, in the Functional Fitness Studio of the Dodge Fitness Center (3rd Floor).

This course emphasizes cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness through running, biking, stepping, rowing, and body weight training, while using a heart rate monitor to track and evaluate performance. Each student will evaluate their own CR fitness level and based on this, the student will participate in an individualized program to improve or maintain that level. Throughout the class, discussions will focus on the benefits of cardiovascular health, physical activity recommendations, and positive health outcomes associated with life long participation in physical activity. Students will be encouraged to build endurance in order to improve cardiovascular health and physical well-being. Upon completion, students will understand and appreciate the lifelong benefits derived from heart rate training.  

By using heart rate monitors, students will be provided with real time data about the intensity of their workouts. Students will also gain a greater understanding of current fitness trends, which include heart rate monitors and activity trackers.

This course will have weekly in person meetings at the Dodge Fitness Center to cover course topics and workout assignments. Outside of these meetings, students will be required to submit weekly physical activity sessions; this will include three to four separate independent workouts as prescribed.

Students must have a heart rate monitor. Example options include Polar, Garmin, or some Fitbit products and Apple watches. Successful completion of participation in the course is predicated on owning or having regular access to such a device.

This class, offered in conjunction with Alice! Health Promotion, introduces broad concepts related to well-being, such as food-body relationships, stress management, communication skills, and physical activity practices. The class will include in person meetings twice weekly, along with weekly asynchronous exercise and assignments. It is an immersive 12 week course. Though the content was developed for transitioning to college in the first year, it is open to students of any year.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Yoga fundamentals taught at a slower pace focusing on increasing flexibility through postures, breathing and relaxation/ meditation techniques.  A good introduction or reinforcement of yoga practice.

Class will meet twice weekly, in person, in Aerobics Room 4 of the Dodge Fitness Center.

Hatha yoga taught with the Iyengar teaching method. Focus on alignment and precision in the yoga poses with the use of props.  

Class will meet twice weekly, in person, in Aerobics Room 4 of the Dodge Fitness Center.

A vigorous yoga style based on a series of poses performed in a challenging flow connecting movement and breath.

Class will meet twice weekly, in person, in Aerobics Room 4 of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This course is an introduction to both Hatha Yoga and Meditation. The course links various asanas (poses) together sequentially to create strength, balance, and flexibility in mind and body. Students will learn basic yoga asana with attention to the breath and form. The kinesthetics of each pose will also be taught, along with how to modify poses correctly for optimum personal performance. Students will practice various forms of meditation during each class, with the amount of time committed to this practice increasing throughout the semester.

Class will meet twice weekly, in person, in Aerobics Room 4 of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This course aims to develop mindfulness by practicing movements and activities that increase body awareness. It will help students gain greater understanding of their body’s location in space, movement patterns, strength, and needs, such as nutrition and sleep. A holistic approach will provide students an opportunity to reflect on their body’s abilities and its needs.

Class will meet twice weekly, in person, in Aerobics Room 4 of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This course explores mindfulness and walking in nature. It will include both trips to various local trails, such as in: Central Park, Inwood Park, and Black Rock Forest. Students will also attend Zoom discussions and complete some asynchronous reflections. See the syllabi for both sections for specific class meeting dates and times:

Section 064

Section 065

*Must be logged in to LionMail to have access to these documents

Outdoor Education

This course focuses on improving cardiovascular fitness through outdoor cycling. Students will be encouraged to build endurance in order to improve cardiovascular health and physical well-being. Upon completion, students will understand and appreciate the lifelong benefits derived from cycling outdoors. 

Students will review key components of cycling safety, proper set up, basic maintenance, progressive training programs, and cross training exercises to support performance. Warm ups and cool downs will be emphasized in order to create a balanced workout. Suggested safety tips will also be addressed in order to encourage safe physical activity outdoors in a variety of environments.

Access to, and knowledge of how to ride, a bike is required in order to participate in this class. Note that Citibikes and Spin Bikes do not meet this requirement. Students must also have the ability to track distance, duration, dates, and times of independent rides.

See syllabus via Courseworks - class meets 5 times in person, including group rides and workshops. Asynchronous assignments are due weekly, and will include 3-4 cycling sessions on different days of the week.

Students will explore local hikes, ranging from 3-8 miles with varying elevation change. Trips include hikes to Black Rock Forest, Bear Mountain, Sam's Point, among others. Such trips include walking on trails for long durations, so students are encouraged to exercise / walk outside of class.

Students must attend an online orientation (on Zoom), along with 3 hikes. Registration for hiking dates with the class is required, and these will occur on Saturdays and Sundays throughout October and November (8am-5pm). Students must attend at least 2 hikes with the class; they will have the option to complete a 3rd hike either with the class or independently; if independently, they must submit an itinerary and reflection on the hike.

This is a fee based course.

This course is run through Hudson River Community Sailing at the Chelsea location. Students will learn the basics of sailing, including skill application and the elementary physics associated with it.

Students must attend 4 of 5 dates, and are responsible for transportation to and from the location. In the event of inclement weather, class will take place via Zoom. 

This is a fee based course.

This course teaches entry level skills in kayaking. It takes place in the Uris Pool of the Dodge Fitness Center. Students must pass a swim test in order to be permitted to take the course.

Team and Individual Sports

This class is designed for students to develop skills in a variety of sports and activities, including: soccer, badminton, ultimate, pickleball, basketball, corn hole, spike ball, and other games. 

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Blue Gym of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students to develop skills in Badminton, and will include skill work and game play.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Blue Gym of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students to develop skills in Basketball, and will include skill work and game play.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Blue Gym of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students to develop skills in indoor Soccer, and will include skill work and game play.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Blue Gym of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students to continue developing golfing abilities. It will include indoor practice using a putting green and simulator, along with a trip to a course at the end of the term.

 

This class is designed for students to continue developing skills in soccer. It will include skill work and game play.

Course will meet once weekly in person at the Baker Athletics Complex. Students are responsible for travel to and from this facility.

This class is designed for students to develop skills in Volleyball, and will include skill work and game play.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Blue Gym of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students with minimal or no experience swimming. It includes skill work and water safety.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Uris of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students to develop swimming skills and conditioning. It assumes base level knowledge of swimming, including a variety of strokes.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Uris Pool of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This class is designed for students to develop skills in fencing. It will include skill work, competition, and mental toughness conversations.

Course will meet twice weekly in person, in the Fencing Room of the Dodge Fitness Center.

This course teaches basic skills in tennis, and will include both skill work and play. Class meets at Riverside Park (tennis courts at 125 and Riverside) for the duration of the class.

Students must bring their own rackets. In case of inclement weather, class may be brought indoors for squash, badminton, or pickle ball. 

Martial Arts

This course teaches the principles and techniques of Karate for self-defense, improvement of overall fitness and to give a greater understanding of the art and themselves. The basic techniques consist of blocks, punches, strikes, kicks and combinations of these techniques in correct stance or body position. 

Class meets twice weekly in Aerobics Room 3 or 4 of the Dodge Fitness Center.