Syllabus

KNES 134N-0001 (Beginning Bowling)

Spring 2010

Instructor: Matt Miller

E-mail: mwmiller@umd.edu

Office hours: By appointment, Office is in SPH

Class hours: Monday & Wednesday– 8 AM – 10 AM

Location: Bowling Alley at TerpZone in Stamp Student Union

Course Description:

Physical activity is a vital part of every individual’s overall wellness. Physical activity courses at
the University of Maryland are centered on physical participation, improvement in physical
performance and knowledge of the activity. Bowling is an extremely popular recreational sport
in the United States and throughout the world. This class aims to teach the fundamentals of
bowling to students. Included will be an overview of the history and rules of bowling, as well as
the teaching of techniques and skills required to become a proficient bowler.

Materials:

Bowling shoes are required in order to use the bowling alleys at TerpZone and to participate in
this course. Failure to wear bowling shoes will result in zero participation points for that day.
You can bring your own bowling shoes or rent them for $2 per day. A semester pass can also be
purchased for $25. Socks must be worn if renting shoes. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting attire.
If you are wearing pants which are long at the ankles, you may be asked to roll the bottoms up as
a safety precaution. Please note that, if you bring personal belongings into the Bowling Alley,
you and you alone are responsible their being lost/damaged.

Attendance Policy:

KNES 134N (Beginning Bowling) is recognized as a lab class in the University of Maryland
Department of Kinesiology. As a lab class, you must participate in most of the scheduled classes
in order to receive a passing grade in the class. Participation, effort and attendance are both
expected and graded. In addition, the maximum number of absences for this course,
regardless of the nature of excuse is three (3). A fourth (4th) absence will result in a grade
of F.

Please be aware that all absences count against the maximum allowable limit. Unfortunately,
this includes family emergencies, away games with a UMD varsity sport, etc. Take this into
account anytime you feel you may have to miss a class. This is a University of Maryland policy
that I must enforce…NO EXCEPTIONS.

Students having a concern for religious observances and scheduled University activities must
inform the instructor (both in person and additionally by e-mail or mailbox) and submit relevant
documentation by the end of the Schedule Adjustment period. Similarly, all other excused
absences (such as personal illness) must also be documented upon return to the class (after any
absence), but students should also attempt to inform the instructor prior to any such intended
absence. All unexcused absences will result in loss of participation grade.

Class Protocol:

Each class will begin with a short lecture beginning at 8:00. The lecture will consist of a few
vocabulary words and a brief discussion/demonstration of a bowling topic. Students are
expected to be attentive as material covered may appear on the exams.

Next, students will warm-up. After the warm-up, students will practice the drills assigned that
day. Finally, the students will participate in some sort of game(s). On certain days, students will
play tournaments immediately after the warm-up. At 10:00 students will be dismissed and exit
the Bowling Alley.

Grading:

The grading of this course is determined by two components:

1. Participation
2. Knowledge (Exams/Skills Evaluation)

Participation involves actually engaging in the activity. The daily participation grade will be
based on a five point scale in which students are expected to: a) be on time (1 pt); b) participate
in all class activities and discussion (3 pts); and c) remain for the full duration of the class period
(1 pt). Deductions may be made for instances such as unexcused absences, disruptive behavior,
partial participation or lack of effort, not following directions, inattentiveness, late arrivals,
leaving early, not being appropriately attired, unsportsmanlike behaviors, and/or other behaviors
seen as inappropriate for this class. Failure to be properly dressed will result in a 0 for the day.
For excused absences within the allowable limit, students will not lose participation points but
will be responsible for lecture material needed for the exams.

Knowledge/Skills will be evaluated through written exams and skills tests.

Written tests will be given to assess student’s knowledge of terminology, technique, and
conceptual thinking as related to the game of bowling. They will include a mid-term and a final
and will cover all of the lecture information provided up until that point in the class (so, yes, the
final is cumulative).

Skills tests will be given on the day of the mid-term exam and on the day of the final exam. The
purpose of having two skills tests is to ensure that students’ skills are progressing throughout the
duration of the course. If you have an unexcused absence on the day of the skills tests, then you
will get a 0. If you have an excused absence on the day of the skills test, then you will have the
opportunity to make-up the test.

Final Grades will be calculated based on the following:

---Written Tests:

Mid-Term 15 points

Final 25 points

---Skills Tests

Mid-Term 20 points

Final 20 points

--- Participation: 5 multiplied by the number of classes (e.g. 5 x 14 = 70)

Final Grade: Total # of points earned divided by total # of points possible

A 90 – 100% D 60 – 69%

B 80 – 89% F 0 – 59%

C 70 – 79%
Important Dates Relevant to Grades (subject to change):

Monday January 25 First Day of Class

Wednesday February 10 Midterm Skills Test and Midterm Exam

Wednesday March 10 Final Skills Test and Final Exam (Last Day of Class)

University Policies:

Accommodations for Students with Special Needs. The University has a legal obligation to
provide appropriate accommodations for students with special needs (permanent or temporary,
physical or mental). If you have a documented special need and wish to discuss academic
accommodations, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.
Academic Integrity. All acts of dishonesty in any work related to this course constitute academic
misconduct. The Code of Academic Integrity will be followed in such an occurrence as will
referrals to the Student Honor Council. These procedures can be found in your course catalog.
Religious Observances. The University of Maryland System policy provides that students
should not be penalized because of observances of their religious beliefs; students should be
given an opportunity, whenever feasible, to make up, with a reasonable time, any academic
assignment that is missed due to individual participation in religious observance. It is the
student’s responsibility to inform the instructor of any intended absences for religious
observance in advance within the first week of class.

Academic Integrity:

The University of Maryland, College Park has a nationally recognized Code of Academic
Integrity, administered by the Student Honor Council. This Code sets standards for academic
integrity at Maryland for all undergraduate and graduate students. As a student you are
responsible for upholding these standards for this course. It is very important for you to be
aware of the consequences of cheating, fabrication, facilitation, and plagiarism. For more
information on the Code of Academic Integrity or the Student Honor Council, please visit
http://www.studenthonorcouncil.umd.edu/whatis.html.
KNES 134N-0001
Beginning Bowling-Spring 2010

Name:
E-mail:
Major:

Are you on a University of Maryland varsity athletic team? If YES, which one?

List any medical problems or injuries that may affect your ability to participate in this class.

Describe any prior bowling experience (official or recreational).

List your bowling high score and estimated average if known.

I have received a copy of the course syllabus and understand all aspects of the course. I also understand
the safety policies and university policies that the instructor will follow. Additionally, I understand that
missing four (4) classes will result in failing this course, regardless of the nature of the excuses for those
absences and regardless of performances on quizzes, exams, etc.

Signature Date