Health and Physical Education

This course studies the biology and chemistry of nutrients with special emphasis on their role in human physiology. Normal nutrition throughout the life cycle, nutrition in sports, weight management, and diseases resulting from improper nutrition will also be studied. Lecture only.

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse. All incoming first-year students are required to take a 3- or 4-credit hour FYS course in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number.  Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix but with a common course number. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking, and writing skills. 

This course will introduce the beginner to the fundamentals ZUMBA technique through various exercises. ZUMBA is a Latin-Inspired , dance-fitness class that incorporates Latin and International music and dance movements, creating a dynamic, exciting, exhilarating, and effective fitness system. ZUMBA integrates some of the basic principles of aerobic, interval, and resistance training to maximize caloric output, cardiovascular benefits, and total body toning.

This course focuses on a study of first aid, CPR, and use of the AED, including thorough knowledge and skill development to meet the needs of most situations when emergency first aid care is needed and medical assistance is not available or is delayed.  Upon completion of the course students may receive an American Red Cross certification.

In this personal training course students will be given the opportunity to develop their knowledge and application of exercise training as it relates to improving the health, fitness, and well being of various populations in one on one, or group fitness settings. The course includes classroom lessons which includes the study of energy systems, resistance training, conditioning, speed training for athletes, aerobic conditioning for various populations, fitness evaluations, designing training programs, legal responsibilities of a personal trainer, and the business of personal training. In addition students will receive practical experience designing, implementing, and assessing sports performance and general fitness programs for classmates.

This course is designed to give students a basic knowledge of fitness, nutritional health and general wellness principles. Topics to be discussed and examined will include but are not limited to nutrition, stress management, behavior modification, disease prevention, sexually transmitted diseases, food and the consumer, cardiovascular and cancer- risk reduction, exercise and aging and lifetime physical fitness and wellness. To aid in the discussion of physical fitness, students will also participate in a variety of daily lifetime physical activities such as aerobic, Zumba and pilates activity, core activities, relaxation, yoga, and body weight training.

Offered Fall and Spring Terms.

Although men and women have many similar health problems, women also face issues that are unique to them. Throughout history, women have been subjected to many misconceptions relating to their health and their ability to be a functioning part of society. Additionally, they have experienced discrimination in their daily lives and in the area of healthcare. Not only are women living longer now, but they are experiencing more healthcare problems due to increased lifespan. In this course topics will be introduced to provide students with knowledge related to the wide spectrum of women’s health issues and how they might deal with them. Possible topics include; history of women’s healthcare, the economics of women’s healthcare, preventing cardiovascular disease and cancer, nutrition and exercise, chronic diseases for women, sexual and reproductive health, HIV/sexually transmitted infections, violence against women, mental health issues of female aging and the impact of the workplace on women’s health. Meets the Wellness, Humanities, and Women Studies GEP requirements.

For years women have had to fight for gender equality, especially in the male dominated area of sports. This course will closely examine the obstacles women have had to overcome in their quest for equality in sports throughout history. The course will be comprised of lectures, readings and discussions from assigned articles, video presentations in class, and student presentations on issues related to the struggle for women to compete in sports.

With the passage of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the number of varsity female athletes has increased from 295,000 in 1971 to currently 3.3 million and the number of collegiate female athletes has increased from 30.000 in 1971 to almost 216,000 in 2022.  Due to the rise in participation by females in athletics, many issues have arisen. It is the intent of this course to address what Title IX is and what some of the issues female athletes have faced since 1972 and are currently facing.  These issues include but are not limited to equal pay, equal media time, sexual abuse, the effects of the NIL, transgender participation, the struggle of female pro sports and the lack of female leadership roles.  The course will be comprised of lectures, readings, , video presentations, and discussions related to the topics presented in class. 

The student will be engaged in an internship in a business, governmental agency, or organization that will give the student an opportunity to develop disciplinary skills and explore a variety of career options in health and wellness-related fields. This internship will be a minimum of 120 hours over the course of a semester. Pass/fail grading. Major Credit. Capstone