Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

My Inquiry Into the Discipline of Kinesiology

Mariel Melchor
The University of Texas at El Paso

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

Abstract
Through various methods of research, I discovered many aspects of the community and
culture found in the discourse of my chosen disciplineKinesiology. The interviews,
surveys and space observations that I conducted helped shape my vision of where it is
that I belong in this community. I was able to learn about what professors expect of
students, what students undergo during their studies, what programs are available at
UTEP to allow me to pursue a career in physical therapy, what courses to take, and the
types of environments I will be working in. Furthermore, this research allowed me to
decide whether or not this career is the right one for me; I learned that the Doctor of
Physical Therapy program that UTEP offers is extremely competitive and difficult to get
accepted into. Therefore, this has allowed me to look forward to considering other
universities to attend once I earn my Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology. Due to my
research, I have concluded that, so far, the community of Kinesiology will be welcoming
to me.

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

The objectives for my research paper is to conduct an inquiry into the discipline
of kinesiology, specifically with a minor in biology, oriented toward a career in physical
therapy, and its discourse within the College of Health Sciences. As an undergraduate
student, I need to be well aware of what I will be facing once I earn my desired degree
therefore, I gathered data through several forms of research. The purpose of the data I
gathered will help give me a sense of what to expect as a student in the discourse
community of kinesiology, and what I will need in order to prepare for graduate school to
later attain a job within the scope of physical therapy practices. I have inquired to learn
about the true value of my discipline, how to attain powerful positions within it, and how
it is exercised in a discourse community. My primary reason for conducting this research
is that I want to become a Physical Therapist, but in order to do this I must first enroll in
a DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program and fulfill all of the necessary prerequisites.
Through my research, I will demonstrate that I have discovered what it takes to survive
and excell in this culture.
As for my methods of primary and secondary research, I found the most effective
to be a set of interviews, surveys, document analyses, and site observations of the spaces
in which I will work in. I decided to interview two current kinesiology professors at The
University of Texas at El Paso. I conducted both interviews through e-mails, since neither
of them were available for in-person interviewshowever, I did find both interviews to
be extremely helpful. For the surveys, I formulated a set of ten multiple-choice questions
to be answered by eight current undergraduate Kinesiology students. Unfortunately, I was
not able to acquire more participants, nor those who were graduate students enrolled in
the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at UTEP. In addition to my research, I

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

analyzed several documents, such as a kinesiology with a minor in biology degree plan, a
syllabi of a motor skills course that is required for my chosen discipline, and
pamphlets/brochures provided in the UTEP College of Health Sciences advising offices
and at one of the UTEP career fairs. In order to learn about the power of space found
within the environments which surround Kinesiology majors and physical therapists, I
visited the College of Health Sciences and School of Nursing at UTEP, I was present
during a kinesiology classroom lecture, and I visited the Las Palmas LifeCare Center.
Through gaining this primary information, I now feel more aware of what type of student
I will need to be within the discipline of kinesiology and physical therapy.
Through the course of my research, I learned many of the customs and habits
treasured by kinesiology majors. Most kinesiology majors are pursuing a career in
Physical Therapy. As per the results of my research, most kinesiology majors will apply
to a DPT program, and they have previously done some volunteer work and internships.
Biology, zoology, and anatomy are amongst the most difficult courses at UTEP for
kinesiology majors. They also find that the best place to study is the UTEP Library, and
that the best study technique is to highlight important information in textbooks as you
read. UTEP also has its own kinesiology website (www.kinesiology.utep.edu) that
provides students with different tabs and links that contain information about its program,
faculty, and graduate programs that you can pursue, along with a broad figure of what the
requirements are and what to expect. A mission statement is also found on the website,
which is used to create a rhetorical sense in students, thus encouraging them to enroll in
one of their programs.

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

There are several values and traditions that are endorsed within the discipline of
kinesiology. Valuing your education is of major importance when it comes to pursuing
any type of career, but especially in kinesiology, when you have to enroll in a graduate
program. As Dr. Boyle told me while interviewing him, It [studying and maintaining a
high GPA] has to be a priority. If you approach school like it is an annoying obligation
that you have to do, then you will mentally struggle to push through when studying
becomes hard. If you think of the situation as a great opportunity to better your life (with
this I can become a doctor, etc.) then you will not find the challenge as difficult. You
have to literally convince yourself that every single grade you make is a step closer to a
career you love. Another important value students in the community of kinesiology must
possess is that of working in teams and being good leadersthis I also learned from Dr.
Boyle. Traditionally, students who are following the degree plan for Kinesiology with
exercise science concentration and biology minor will have to take specific courses
related to these fields. The core curriculum for this degree consists of several basic
courses, such as English, communications, a university course, pre-calculus, chemistry,
history, political science, a visual performing art, and psychologywhich will equal to a
total of about 44 credit hours. From there, many other courses are also required, which
involve actual kinesiology, anatomy, zoology, and other biology courses, all adding to a
total of 120 credit hours. Furthermore, many kinesiology majors will attain internship
positions within the field they plan to work in. If they are not able to find internship
positions, being able to do some type of volunteer work will also be of great help,
especially when applying to a graduate program.

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

Kinesiology has great power over the College of Health Sciences at The
University of Texas at El Paso. It is one of the newest, most decent, innovative, and
cleanest buildings on the UTEP campus. It also has its very own restaurant, called
Sandellas for the convenience of students who are studying all the time. This building
also endorses the UTEP School of Nursing, and therefore, many of the classrooms
include their own simulation labs where students can practice on dummies. Throughout
the building, one can find that almost every instructor within this field has his or her own
office spacesomething unique, as compared to other departments. Not only does
kinesiology dominate other fields of study at UTEP, but the scholarship for this discipline
has definitely ascended in the level of difficulty during the past years leading up to now.
A Masters Degree wont suffice anymore; a Physical Therapist must now earn a
Doctoral Degree in order to function in its chosen community. Therefore, there continues
to be an increasing amount of job opportunities to students who pursue careers that
branch off of a kinesiology degree. Kinesiology and its different areas of study have
definitely acquired great power over other careers that students choose to pursue, which,
once again, emphasizes the power of kinesiology. The value of a degree in kinesiology is
a great one that will endure for years to come, and that is reinforced by Dr. Boyle as he
stated, After starting graduate school I knew that I wanted a career in higher education
(i.e. become a professor). I would say there are a good number of job opportunities
available for working at a University, however, specialties or specific areas you are
interested in researching play the biggest factor on if you are hired or not. When you look
at it from that perspective, then there are actually very limited opportunities to become a
Kinesiology professor. This is thinking from the comparison on if you were comparing

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

this situation to lets say a nursing student or PT student just graduating. In this situation
there will most likely be a large number of opportunities available all across the country.
As for knowledge, it is imperative for students in any discipline to acquire the
necessary knowledge in their chosen careers. While conducting my research, I analyzed
the syllabus for a motor skills course that is necessary for my chosen discipline and it was
greatly helpful in providing me with an idea of what the workload will be like for my
major classes, especially those concerning kinesiology. This also gave me some insight
into what professors will expect of me when taking the courses for my major. A short
biography was also included in the syllabus, and this is done in order to give students
some comfort and a personal feel of what their professor will be like. Now, something I
must foresee is analyzing a syllabus from a graduate course in order to give me more to
think about for my future decisions when it comes to my academic studies because I
already know that there will be a substantial difference in the type of work involved. I
also analyzed two pamphlets that listed all of the ways in which a Peer Career Advisor or
College Liaison can help studentsthis included help with resume reviews, curriculum
vitae (CV) reviews, interview coaching sessions, internship/job searching, and career
advising. It also listed all of the existing professional organizations for both Physical
Therapy and Kinesiology, followed by the contact information (location, phone number,
and e-mail address) for the Peer Career Advisor (PCA) or college liaison for graduate and
doctoral information. Brochures and pamphlets are good sources of information when it
comes to learning about additional services that the College of Health Sciences offers in
order to help undergraduate and graduate students with their studies. These also provide
the necessary requirements and steps to apply for the DPT program or will provide

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

helpful websites to do so, as well as some contact information (phone numbers for
academic advisors, e-mail addresses, etc.). Essentially, I believe that the kind of rhetoric
work being done within these documents is to lure, convince, and engage students to
taking the initiative of enrolling in the courses necessary to form a part of this community
and to prepare them for what is next so that they can decide whether or not they belong in
this culture.
The site observations I conducted gave me a great look into what the environment
for kinesiology majors is like. The College of Health Sciences and School of Nursing
building is a very spacious but extremely quiet environment. Some students occupied the
lounging area, where most of them were either studying or having a meal; some were
quietly socializing. A Sandellas restaurant is also located to your right as soon as you
enter the building. As you enter the building through its main entrance, you find
yourselves automatically on the second floor; some classrooms are also located on this
floor, and some of them can be seen as soon as you enter. The seats are very inviting, due
to the comfortness that can be seen, and the tables were, too, since they included
electrical outlets on them for convenience to students who may need to charge their
phones or laptops. The colors on the walls were clean and dull, and some of the furniture
had popping and vivid colors. I can see my self working in the space provided by the
College of Health Sciences and School of Nursing at UTEP because it isnt a loud space,
and the students working there are very quiet and focused on either their books or
laptops, studying or doing homework. I can see myself here because as soon as I stepped
in through the front doors, the space implied to me that you must be quiet or talk in a very
low tone of voiceand I like to study in quiet spaces. You can also feel the seriousness

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

of the atmosphere, which is a form of rhetoric to keep students focused and on-task. The
space in this building also looks very student-friendly, which is what I will need, in order
to succeed in my academics. Inside the classroom I was allowed to sit in, located in the
College of Health Sciences and School of Nursing at UTEP, I observed 24 students who
were very attentive to the professor who was giving the lecture. Some students were
engaged by taking notes or following along in their textbooks, while other students used
laptop computers. The classroom was also designed in an ascending-steps structure,
which I find student-friendly, for you dont have any trouble seeing the projection of the
presentation slides over the heads of others. The colors of the classroom were very dull
and boring (most of the building walls are too), which contributes to the seriousness of
the environment. This, however, creates power in the space in helping students prioritize
their academic assignments. I think this also welcomes diversity among the students. The
professor used a Power-Point presentation to convey his knowledge and information to
the students. Also, the professor didnt stand directly behind a podium through the
lecture; instead, he would move around, using hand gestures. I also visited the Las
Palmas LifeCare Center, where I observed the staff and patients interacting amongst each
other. The role of the physical therapists was made very clearthey were there to help
patients with whatever it was that they might need. The space was enormous, enough to
fit many exercise machines and other equipment used for exercising, which implied that
the use of the center is mainly for exercising purposes. About 42 people were in the room
all at once. The patients there were all different in their own ways, because each of them
suffered from different types of injuries and other conditions. The space was also very

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

10

loud and active; something is always going on. Observing all of these spaces allowed me
to envision myself working in them in the future years.
The language and discourse of this community brings everyone in it to a common
ground through a common form of scientific and medical terminology. In order to be a
successful physical therapist, you will need to have acquired and mastered great people
skills that will allow you to work with all types of patients. Therefore, social skills are
imperative when having a job that requires daily interaction with patients. As a student,
the language amongst students is expressed during active group assignments that require
teamwork. When studying, though, the language changes to almost being completely the
opposite; as I observed in the study areas inside the College of Health Sciences and
School of Nursing, the students were extremely quiet in order to better study. It is
imperative to acquire the proper anatomical terminology since kinesiology is defined as
being the study of movementtherefore, one must know all body parts, muscles, bones,
and joints in order to make proper diagnoses and provide the necessary therapy or
treatments, and enhance the service provided by a successful Doctor of Physical Therapy.
The status of the student is crucial when he or she finds him or herself in a
competitive community, such as kinesiology is. A Masters degree is no longer
acceptable for students who want to become physical therapists, meaning they must apply
for a doctoral program at a graduate university. For one, a GPA of 3.5 or higher must be
maintained in order to be considered or nominated for a graduate program, such as that of
the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UTEP. Becoming a member of the American
Kinesiology Association or of the American Physical Therapy Association can also
enhance ones susceptibility to being nominated as a potential candidate for a graduate

Running head: MY INQUIRY INTO THE DISCIPLINE OF KINESIOLOGY

11

program and for a job later on in the fieldthis can also provide a kinesiology student
with more skills and information about the field. However, I dont believe that
universities are doing enough to implement this upon students who desire to major in
Kinesiology to become a Physical Therapist. Many universities dont even offer any DPT
(Doctor of Physical Therapy) programs, and the ones that do, only offer the opportunity
of enrolling in the program through the lengthy process of an applicationmeaning that
only a few students will be chosen. Furthermore, many other barriers affect a student
from enrolling in these studies that are sometimes ignored, such as social influence,
experiential opportunity, academic preparation, physical self-efficacy, and elfmanagement (which all correlate with the Social Cognitive Theory), as I read in
Development of a Scale to Determine Enrollment Barriers into Allied Health Programs.
The research I conducted provided me with answers to my topic of inquiry, thus,
enhancing my current career choices and leading me to the conclusion that I will
definitely fit into the community of kinesiology and physical therapy. I am now
substantially informed about what it is that I will need to do in order to succeed in my
chosen career, and what it is that my professors will expect of me in the future. I have
also discovered that the value of my degree is greater than I ever expected, and that its
value will prevail throughout the years to come, for it is a powerful, innovative, and
growing career in our country, as well as in other countries. I know that as of right now I
am on the correct path that will entail me to a successful future.

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References
Barfield, J. P., Folio, M., Lam, E. C., & Zhang, J. J. (2011). Development of a Scale to
Determine Enrollment Barriers into Allied Health Programs. Measurement In
Physical Education & Exercise Science, 15(1), 47-66.
doi:10.1080/1091367X.2011.544970
ustonja, Z., Milanovi, D., & Spori, G. (2009). KINESIOLOGY IN THE NAMES OF
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN EUROPE AND THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA. Kinesiology, 41(2), 136-146.
Department of Kinesiology. (2014). Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with Exercise
Science Concentration and Biology Minor: Degree Plan. El Paso, TX: The
University of Texas at El Paso.
Meeuwsen, Dr. Harry J.. (2010). KIN 2332: Motor Learning and Control. El Paso, TX:
The University of Texas at El Paso.
REPORT OF THE 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON KINESIOLOGY
"SCIENCE AND PROFESSION - CHALLENGE FOR THE FUTURE". (2005).
Kinesiology, 37(2), 214-219.