Course Policies:
1. Attendance & Participation:   
 - A large percentage of your grade is based on attendance and participation.  To gain points for attendance, you must sign a roll sheet at the beginning of each class period.  If this is not signed, you will be marked absent for that day.  In other words, don’t forget to sign-in!   

- You are expected to be in class from 8:00 - 9:15.  Unless excused by the instructor, 1 point will be subtracted from your total score for every 5 minutes you are late or leave early.   Therefore, do not schedule appointments, classes, etc. during class time. 

- Simply showing up to class doesn’t guarantee you will get full credit.  Your participation will also be evaluated each day; points will be deducted for not participating fully in class activities.

- Everyone has unique physical / mental situations that make them special.  While participating, I strongly recommend that you are aware of those things that make you special and exercise within your physical limitations and at a level that is comfortable to you.  However, exercising at a level that is well below your abilities is unacceptable.      
 
- Each class is designed so you can finish a complete workout in 75 minutes.  However, this requires focus and efficiency.  Therefore, come to class prepared to move the entire class period.  

2.  Civility:  
Although the Fitness Center may not look like a typical classroom, the same civility principles found in other courses apply to this class.  Your success in this course is dependent upon your ability to do the following:
Be Respectful. Respect your instructor as an expert in his or her subject area and as the person responsible for facilitating a productive course for everyone. Respect each of your classmate’s right to a valuable class experience, free of offensive language, intolerance, or harassment of any kind. Respect these facilities and our time together by eliminating all distractions, especially cell phones, iPods, and other gadgets, and by refraining from disruptions of any kind, including sleeping in class or talking when no formal class discussion is taking place. Finally, respect yourself by participating fully in each class session and making the most of this learning opportunity.

Be Responsible. As a student in this college course, you are entirely responsible for your own success. You are responsible for reading and following the syllabus. It’s expected that you arrive to each class session on-time, with assigned work completed, ready to participate fully. If you miss class, you are responsible for the consequences. You are also responsible for obtaining notes, assignments, and syllabus adjustments. Finally, you are responsible for being an active participant in this class rather than a passive observer.

Rise to the Challenge. College-level courses are demanding. They require deeper thinking, more effective writing, and greater personal involvement than many students realize. In order to succeed at this level, you must be willing to accept the challenges presented by the course material, your instructors, and a rigorous schedule. One of the rewards of this challenge can be the discovery that you are capable of much more than you imagined. Therefore, expect great things from yourself, work hard to achieve them, and seek help when you need it. The other members of this community of learners are here to support you, but it’s up to you to rise to the challenge.

3.  Assignments and Quizzes:
- The “Schedule of Classes and Assignments” lists dates quizzes will be given.  If an emergency situation arises and you are unable to take the quiz, it is your responsibility to discuss the absence with Wendy the day before, the day of, or the day after the absence.  Failure to do so will result in a “0”.  If an absence is excused, all make-up quizzes will be in an alternate form and will be given on December 19th. 

- The “Schedule of Classes and Assignments” lists dates assignments are due.  For each day an assignment is late, your grade will drop one letter. 

4.  Plagiarism:
The concept of plagiarism can be confusing, and there is a difference between deliberate and accidental plagiarism. However, both will be treated the same in this course.
- Plagiarism defined: "Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off some as one's own, original work, or attempts thereof." (from Virginia Tech Honor System Constitution, February 1998).

- If plagiarized work is suspected and proven, the student will receive a 0 for the assignment and is subject to sanctions outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

- The following web site offers an excellent definition of both deliberate and accidental plagiarism: <http://www.millikin.edu/wcenter/plagiarism1.html>
- Writing tutors are available in the Academic Support Center to help you with citing sources.

5.  Completion of Forms: 
- A health history form must be completed.  This form, which will be kept confidential, allows you to share any medical concerns so that measures can be taken to ensure you exercise within your abilities.   

- A liability form must also be completed.  Although safety precautions will be followed, participating in any physical activity involves a risk.  This form confirms that you are accepting responsibility for any injury that may occur while participating in this class.                   

Additional (Very Strong) Recommendations:
1. Strength train 3 days / week: For this course, you will be strength training two days each week.  This meets the minimum requirements to maintain your health.  However, you will experience the most physical changes if you do strength training exercises at least one other day each week, preferably Friday.  

2.  Exercise aerobically: To maintain health, it is recommended that you accumulate 30 minutes or more of aerobic exercise most days of the week.  It will also help build stamina for this class.   

3. Bring a water bottle to class:  Drinking water throughout an exercise program is essential.  Bring a water bottle to class and drink plenty before you get thirsty to prevent dehydration. 

Grading:   
You may choose to be graded on a pass/fail basis or on the A-F scale. You must inform Wendy of your preference by Wednesday, September 12.  If you don’t identify your preference by this time, you will automatically be graded on a pass/fail basis.  Once you select an option, you cannot change your decision.  The requirements for each option are listed below.  

A-F Requirements: Your grade will be based on the points you earn for each of the following assignments / activities:
            - Attendance & Participation (55 points possible):  
            - Training Log (10 points possible)  
            - Research Paper (15 points possible):
            - Quizzes (2 @ 5 points each = 10 points possible)
            -   Exercise Plan for the Future:      
                   Part 1 (5 points possible)  
                   Part 2 (5 points possible)

Then, your grade will be determined using the following scale: 
90-100 points = A                  60-69 points = D  
80 - 89 points = B                  59 points or less = F
70-79 points = C

Pass / Fail Requirements: To pass the class, you must earn 70 or more points from the activities listed below.  To fail, you must earn 69 or fewer points.  

Explanation of Assignments:
1.Attendance and Participation (55 points possible):  Use the scale below to determine the attendance and participation points earned:
 

55 points = no more than 2 classes missed      45 points = no more than 3 classes missed                      35 points = no more than 4 classes missed       25 points = no more than 5 classes missed        15 points = no more than 6 classes missed    5 points = no more than 7 classes missed ·        Note: Simply showing up to class doesn’t guarantee you will get full credit for that day.  Your participation will also be evaluated each day; points will be deducted for arriving to class late, leaving class early, and not participating fully in class activities.

2. Training Log (10 points possible) The training log is a way for you to track your strength training progress by recording your daily exercises.

3. Quizzes (10 points possible):  Two quizzes will be given throughout the semester.  Contents will reflect class discussions, handouts, and activities pertaining to the topics listed on the “Schedule of Classes and Assignments”.

4.  Exercise Plan for the Future (10 points possible):  For this project, you will evaluate your exercise progress and individual fitness needs.  Then, you will create fitness goals and a program to follow.  Part 1 is due October 3 and Part 2 is due December 10. 

5.  Research Paper (15 points possible – only for those graded using the A-F scale) This 3 -5 page paper will focus on a topic related to this class. Specific guidelines are available for you. 

   Tentative Schedule of Classes and Assignments
 

Date	Topic / Activity
August: Mon. 27	Introduction to the course /  Importance of strength training
Wed. 29	Evaluation and self-assessment
September: Mon. 3	No Class - Labor Day
Wed. 5	Evaluation and self-assessment
Mon.10	Exercises /  Fundamentals of Weight Training
Wed.12	Elements of Fitness / Creating a general exercise program    * Choose grade option
Mon. 17	Muscles
Wed. 19	Flexibility
Mon. 24	Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Wed. 26	Explanation of "Exercise Plan for the Future" assignment
October: Mon. 1	Training
Wed. 3	Exercise Plan for the Future: Part 1 due
Mon. 8	Training
Wed. 10	Nutrition
Mon. 15	Quiz #1
Wed. 17	Performance Enhancing Drugs
Mon. 22	New exercises: Pectoralis Major & Trapezius
Wed. 24	New exercises: Triceps & Biceps
Mon. 29	Motivation and Mental Conditioning
Wed. 31	New Exercises:  abdominals
November: Mon. 5	Advanced Training
Wed. 7	New exercises:  Gluteus Medius, hip abductors, hip adductors
Mon. 12	No Class
Wed. 14	Injuries and Exercise
Mon. 19	New exercise: Hamstrings, Quadriceps & Gluteus Maximus
Wed. 21	Quiz #2
Mon. 26	New exercises: Latissimus Dorsi  & Deltoids Research Papers Due (those graded on the A-F scale only)
Wed. 28	New exercises: Gastrocnemius, Soleus & Anterior Tibialis Training
December: Mon. 3	Training
Wed. 5	Training
Mon. 10	Evaluation and self-assessment    Exercise Plan for the Future (Part 2) due   Training Log Due
Wed. 12	Evaluation and self-assessment
Mon. 17	Training – optional
Wed. 19	Make-up Quizzes