Course Materials

Course Outline

This document must be provided to the student no later than the end of the second-class session. It should assist the student in determining if the class is what the student needs or wants. In addition an outline for each course is given to the coordinator. Content items that must be included are:

Class Information: Title, PAC number

Orientation: Instructor name, office location, phone number, office ‘hour’ times, fax number, e-mail address, and mailbox location.

Course Objectives: Statements of what the student will learn as a result of taking this course; most effectively written by using this opening statement, “Upon successful completion of this course and assignments the student should (will) be able to:” When writing objectives words open to many interpretations should be avoided; e.g. to know, understand, appreciate, enjoy, believe. Better choices for words are to demonstrate, write, solve, compare, identify.

Course Content: This may be an actual outline similar to the official outline on file, or it may be a listing of the topics intended to be covered.

Course Materials and Costs: Items that may be required are texts, study guides, clothing, equipment, pencil etc. If the student will be required to attend a function that has a fee, that must be stated.

Course Policies: This includes specific instructor policies, particularly ones for safety such as no gum.

Grading Policy: The percentage of emphasis for each of the course requirements and the overall grading scale is included. If the grading policy must be changed during the term students must be provided a revised Course Outline. If the +/- system is not used, this must be included.

Course Outline Required Statements:

• Students who add this class before the third class meeting will not have absences up to that add date count against their final grade.
• Statement of Risk, Responsibility, and Fees: Risk is associated with many of life’s activities including the OSU Physical Activity Course (PAC) Program. The College of Health and Human Performance and the Department of Exercise and Sports Science will minimize these risks by providing safe activity areas, adequate equipment, and capable instruction. It is highly recommended that you give very serious consideration to providing yourself with a student health/accident insurance policy. These are available through the University, private carriers, or, in many cases, through a family policy. If uninsured, relatively minor accidents and/or health problems can lead to great expense.

  If you have a condition that might affect or be affected by your participation on this activity class, you are encouraged to so inform your instructor either verbally or in writing. Any student that needs special accommodation in order to successfully complete the class should meet with the instructor.

  Should you become ill or injured during the class time, please inform the instructor or have a fellow student do so. If you must leave class it is recommended that another student accompany you.

  (A paragraph identifying specific injuries associated with the particular activity and safety precautions to avoid such injuries is recommended for inclusion. Classes with no activity, such as relaxation, need not include the Statement of Risk.)

  All Physical Activity Classes have an additional fee that is billed to your account. Refunds of the PAC fee follow the University guidelines for refunds. [Additonal fees, such as for SCUBA, are also refunded according to the Univerisity Guidelines; however, there may be situations where the student will receive an additional refund. This will be credited by the PAC secretary. Students should monitor their account to make sure this happens.]

Course Syllabus: This handout provides information on what will be covered each day. It also defines examination dates and due dates for class requirements. In addition it specifies outside reading assignments, specifies meeting places if necessary, and the date that grades will be turned in. A complete syllabus is not required, but some of the information should be included on the course often confused and used interchangeably. Most instructors provide only one handout with all information and call it either name.

Textbooks: Most PAC courses do not require the use of a textbook, but this is an option available to any instructor. Instructors should remember that PAC students are paying an additional fee, unlike most other University courses. Book information must be given to the NES Chair’s secretary approximately 8 weeks in advance. Information could be made available through the Reserve Book Room at Valley Library. Internet links can easily be provided on Blackboard.

Required Outside Readings or Handouts: Xerox copying of extensive materials is not acceptable. Handouts can be formatted to be transmitted through Blackboard, or Internet links can be provided on Blackboard. If there is extensive materials, they can compiled and sold through the OSU bookstore. The instructor must provide at least four weeks lead time in order to get copy permission on any copyrighted documents. Any royalty costs will be charged to the student, and sometimes this makes the document very expensive. Again, the cost to the student should be considered. Course Outlines and Syllabi are to be posted on Blackboard no later than the end of the first week of the term, hopefully by the first class period. In-Class Examinations can still be reproduced for the students; however, instructors should explore the option of providing testing via Blackboard.

Recommended Readings: Information that would be helpful to the student but is not required can be provided in a variety of ways. The best method is to post materials or links on Blackboard. Information can be copied through the bookstore as the required material is done; it can be put on reserve in the library; it can be checked out from LH 123 or from the instructor, or it can be passed from student to student.

Handout and Test Preparation: Tests can still be provided to the student, and a limited number of handouts may be provided. Instructors, if at all possible, are to provide a clean copy, ready for Xerox, to the PAC secretary at least three days in advance. If there is absolutely no way to put handouts on Blackboard, they can be copied for students. Anything that requires more than 25 copies will need to be sent to OSU printing which requires some turn around time. All copying must be on two sides, using recycled paper, and using paper that is recyclable. Test security is a consideration. Tests should be enclosed in a large envelope and handed to the PAC secretary or put in her box. Leaving such documents on a desk, unprotected, is inviting theft.

A form available through the Copyright Center at Printing and Mailing Services, 124 Industrial Building, must me included in material to be copied and sold.

Sample Course Outline

9/6/2004