Physical Activity and Sports Program Courses

Activity courses are divided into two categories. The Physical Education (PHED) courses cover the more traditional individual and dual sports, while the Recreation (PRLS) courses are generally focused on wilderness and outdoor recreation pursuits. In either case, they provide students with the knowledge and skills in life long activities regardless of age or ability level of the participant. All activity and sport courses offer 1 or more academic credits. Please contact your academic advisor to determine how these credits may apply to your degree program.

Consult the George Mason University Schedule of Classes for the dates and times that courses are offered and enroll through Patriot Web. Please note that many of these courses have required fees, and a few have prerequisites. Course numbers that appear in brown are linked to a sample syllabus. Keep in mind that although the course title, description, and objectives remain constant, other aspects of the course may differ from one semester and/or section to another.

Physical Education (PHED) Courses:

PHED 103: Fencing (1 credit)
Fee: $49 – Purchase of glove ($20) and equipment rental ($29)
This course gives the beginning student basic knowledge of the sport of fencing and teach the fundamental movements required in the sport. Students should expect to learn some officiating and etiquette of the sport and acquire the ability to fence at the novice level. The instructor will utilize any combination of the following: instructional videos, written handouts, guest fencers for demonstrations, drills, group and individual instruction.

PHED 105: Introduction to Aerobic Conditioning (1 credit)
This course is designed to provide the learner with a knowledge base of the effects of aerobic exercise on the human body and a variety of activities that will result in improved cardiovascular fitness.

PHED 107: Social Dance I (1 credit)
This course will provide the participant with a knowledge base of dance fundamentals and skill development in various ballroom dances and will include basic rhythms, dance positions, floor alignments, techniques of leading and following, and maintenance of dance frame in partner dancing.

PHED 108: Introduction to Weight Training (1 credit)
The purpose of the class is to introduce students to fitness and healthy lifestyles. The course is designed to provide students with two resistance workouts and one lecture per week. The lectures include the five health related components of physical fitness, nutrition and weight management. The class also teaches students how to use resistance and cardiovascular equipment, and how to design fitness programs. The course is geared for beginners, yet all students will be helped on an individual basis (therefore advanced individuals can also participate).

PHED 110: Beginning Swimming (1 credit)
This course is designed to develop a knowledge base and basic swimming skills for the non-swimmer and weak swimmer as well as to make them water safe. These skills include, but are not limited to, locomotion and propulsive movements in a prone and supine position, breath control, rhythmic breathing, and beginning diving techniques; personal safety and rescue skills to maintain a water-safe environment.

PHED 113: Latin Dance (1 credit)
This course will provide students with a knowledge base of dance fundamentals and skill development in various Latin dances and will include basic rhythms, dance positions, floor alignments, techniques of leading and following, and maintenance of dance frame in partner dancing.

PHED 118: Advanced Lifeguarding (1 credit)
This course introduces and develops skills and knowledge necessary to become an American Red Cross certified lifeguard. Focus is on training participants in aquatic facility and patron safety, in-water rescue skills, and physical conditioning. It teaches the lifeguard candidates to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic related emergencies.

PHED 127: Social Dance II (1 credit)
This course will provide an introduction to the tango and additional patterns from foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha, rumba, and Eastern swing.

PHED 128: Fencing II (2 credit)
Fee: $29 / $49 – Equipment rental ($29) and glove, if not previously purchased
This course reviews the advanced footwork and handwork techniques learned in Fencing I and expands on the third component of the sport, strategic tactics. Students will be introduced to the rules and protocol of competitive fencing and will utilize electric scoring equipment and electric fencing gear.

PHED 129: Introduction to Yoga (1 credit)
This course will introduce the history, philosophy, and practice of yoga. Class emphasis will be on learning yoga asanas (postures) to enhance physical fitness and mental concentration. Students will also learn pranayama (breathing exercises), Vinyasa (the art of sequencing Yoga postures) and relaxation techniques. The selected poses will help students explore asana practice as it relates to improved posture, balance, flexibility, strength, energy, vitality, tension reduction, and other health benefits.

PHED 134: Self-Defense For Men and Women (1 credit)
This course is a practical self-defense course designed for students with little or no background in martial arts or self-defense. Defensive and offensive techniques will be taught to prepare students for any potentially event they may encounter. The course will also improve student's physical and mental fitness.

PHED 135: Self-Defense For Men and Women II (1 credit)
This course is a continuing practical self-defense course designed for students with a basic self-defense skill level or minimal martial arts experience. More advanced defensive and offensive techniques will be taught building on the student's previous training. Continued improvement in the student's physical and mental fitness will also be emphasized.

PHED 136: Tae Kwon Do (1 credit)
Fee: $35-45 – Uniform cost
A beginner level course designed to develop basic skills of Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art that predominantly emphasizes kicking.

PHED 137: Intermediate Tae Kwon Do (1 credit) (May be repeated up to 3 credits)
Fee: $35-45 – Uniform cost
An intermediate level course that will continue to develop basic skills of Tae Kwon Do. Course instruction will continue to focus on the student's mental development as well as physical training.

PHED 138: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (1 credit)
Fee: $50 – Uniform cost
This is a practical self-defense course instructing students in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques designed for students who have no prior experience in martial arts or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu's primary goal is to give advantage to those who use correct form, posture and technique over strength.

PHED 139: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu II for Men and Women (2 credits)
Fee: $70 – Uniform cost
This is a beginner to intermediate level course teaching techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Students will learn specific defensive techniques to be used against an attacker along with escapes and submissions from a variety of different attacks. Participation in beginning level sparring will be learned with particular attention to safety. Students will undergo an intensive training and conditioning routine.

PHED 140: Golf (1 credit)
Fee: $44 – Green fee of $30; Club rental of $14 if student does not have clubs
A practical course designed for students with little or no golf knowledge. The course will involve activities to teach students basic golf terms, rules, and techniques for the full swing, putting, chipping, and pitching, as well as playing on a golf course.

PHED 144: Intermediate Golf (2 credits)
Fee: $57-99 – Green fees and range use fees of $57; Club rental of $42 if necessary
A practical course designed for students with basic golf knowledge/skills. The course will include course strategies, course management, the proper use of the rules, club selection, speed of play; skill building and different golf formats.

PHED 145: Beginning Judo for Men and Women (1 credit)
Fee: $50 – Uniform cost
This is an introduction to Judo in which students will learn basic body mechanics of throwing, sweeping, grappling, and submission. Students will learn the fundamentals in these areas both for self-defense and sport. The history of judo, rules of the sport, and proper safety and falling techniques will be presented.

PHED 146: Introduction to Badminton (1 credit)
A practical course designed as an introduction to badminton. Students will learn badminton terms, scoring rules, and techniques for forehand and backhand strokes, and the serve. Students will also be introduced to basic strategy for singles and doubles play.

PHED 147: Advanced Tae Kwon Do (2 credits)
This is an advanced level course that will continue to enhance and refine skills of Taekwando. Students will develop more extensive jump and spin kicks as well as combinations of the same. This course will also provide Brown to Black Belt levels of promotion as well as continuing to focus on each student's mental development and physical training.

PHED 149: Tai Chi (1 credit)
A beginner level course designed to increase awareness of the mind and body. Students will be introduced to basic principles of Chi (energy) and Yin Yang (polarity) and how these apply to their bodies through practicing the T'ai Chi Chih® Movements.

PHED 150: Intermediate Swimming (1 credit)
A course designed to build on the basic level swimming skills by providing practice for confidence, refinement of coordination, and improvement of other aquatic skills. Presents more advanced swimming strokes, and focuses on physical conditioning and aquatic safety.

PHED 151: Introduction to Tennis (1 credit)
A practical course designed as an introduction to tennis. The course will involve activities to teach students tennis terms, rules, scoring, techniques for the forehand & backhand ground strokes, volley, overhead, and serve, as well as basic strategy for singles and doubles.

PHED 153: Intermediate Tennis (1 credit)
A practical course designed for the novice tennis player. The course will involve activities such as control of pace, direction, and depth on forehand and backhand ground strokes, the use of topspin and under spin, tactical use of the volley, styles of play and strategy for singles and doubles.

PHED 155: Introduction to Springboard Diving (2 credits)
A beginner level course designed to increase awareness of the sport of diving, safety issues pertaining to both competitive and recreational diving, competition formats, history and evolution of the sport and scoring systems. Students will be introduced to fundamental skill progressions leading to basic dives.

PHED 156: Intermediate Springboard Diving (2 credits)
Students will build upon the fundamental skill progressions and perform more advanced skills and dives from the introductory course (PRLS 155). This course is also designed to increase awareness of the sport of diving, safety issues pertaining to both competitive and recreational diving, competition formats, history and evolution of the sport and scoring systems.

PHED 157: Aikido for Men and Women (1 credit)
This course is designed for students who have no prior experience in martial arts, but can also be beneficial for those with a solid martial arts background. Mind-body techniques useful to all athletes and students are taught in a classical martial art self-defense context. Each class will involve mind-body coordination exercises, solo and partner practice. This is an active close contact class that will give all students a chance to execute throws, locks and pins, both as the thrower and the one who takes falls.

PHED 158: Underwater Hockey (1 credit)
Fee: $200 – Snorkel, mask and fins, if student does not have them
This course is designed to provide basic instruction in the fundamentals of underwater hockey. Students will learn free diving and snorkeling activities in preparation for underwater hockey. They will learn about and experience physiological reactions to aquatic submersion. Significant attention throughout this course will be given to safety issues related to underwater training, emphasizing current and lifelong skills.

PHED 159: Advanced Swimming (1 credit)
Fee: $8 – Charge for registration with the American Red Cross
A course designed to build on intermediate level swimming skills by providing practice to refine and perfect swimming strokes, so that students swim with more ease, efficiency, power, and smoothness over greater distances. Focuses on developing a higher level of fitness and maintaining better physical conditioning. Introduces other aquatic activities to enrich the class and broaden the horizons of the participant.

PHED 162 : Introduction to Bowling (1 credit)
Fee: $45.50
Students will learn the sport of Ten Pin Bowling. Topics covered are bowling etiquette, history of bowling, playing rules for league members, scoring, different approaches to the game, and the appropriate equipment for these approaches. Inexperienced and experienced bowlers are welcome to participate.

PHED 165: Introduction to Racquetball (1 credit)
A practical course designed as an introduction to racquetball. The course will involve activities to teach students basic racquetball terms, rules, scoring, safety, and techniques for the forehand, backhand, overhead, and serve, as well as singles and doubles.

PHED 166: Intermediate Racquetball (1 credit)
A practical course designed for the novice racquetball player. This course will involve activities to teach students intermediate skills including ceiling shots, kill shots, passing shots, back wall strokes, advanced serves, court positions, tactics and strategies for singles and doubles.

PHED 250: Water Safety Instruction (2 credits)
Fee: $8 – Charge for registration with the American Red Cross
WSI introduces planning, organizing, and executing American Red Cross Swimming and Water Safety courses. Focus is on educational methods, approaches, and skill development applicable to swimming and water safety instruction.

PHED 255: Scuba Diving (2 credits)
Fee: $600-700 – Cost of equipment and certification tests, and is dependent on current equipment possessed by student
This course will provide training toward certification as Open water SCUBA Diver. The course will emphasize the learning of both snorkeling (free diving introduction) and SCUBA skills. Safe diving skills, the physics of diving, equipment care and maintenance, diving fitness, underwater navigation, record keeping and other basic SCUBA knowledge will be covered in the course. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be qualified for Open Water certification by Scuba Schools International (SSI).

Recreation (PRLS) Courses :

PRLS 110: Exploring Outdoor Adventure (2 credits)
Fee: $75
This course provides students with an introduction to outdoor adventure activities and the leadership theory involved to properly plan the activities. This class aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice as it pertains to outdoor adventure activities. This class focuses on developing introductory skills in a variety of outdoor recreation activities including rock climbing, canoeing, orienteering, and high ropes. Traditional classroom and "in-the-field" instruction will be used during the various activities. Prior to each trip, the class will discuss essential trip information including equipment, route planning, safety, and foundations of outdoor leadership theory.

PRLS 115: Introduction to Fly Fishing (1 credit)
Fee: $12 – Virginia fishing licence
A practical course designed for students with little or no knowledge of fly-fishing. The course will involve activities to teach students the basics of fly-fishing to include terms and equipment, casting, knot tying, aquatic entomology, fly selection, reading water, wading techniques and safety, and fly fishing tactics. Besides the one-hour classes required during the week, a full day on a stream, will be included.

PRLS 117: Rock Climbing (2 credits)
Fee: $50-100 – Equipment usage and upkeep
A practical course designed for students with little or no knowledge of rock climbing. The course will involve activities to teach students basic climbing terms, techniques, equipment, and safety practices for top rope belay climbing and rappelling.

PRLS 118: Intermediate Rock Climbing (2 credits)
Fee: $100 – Equipment usage and upkeep
This intermediate course is for individuals who have some prior skills in rock climbing looking to further increase their skill level. The course will involve teaching students climbing terms, advanced knots, equipment, safety practices for redirect belay and top rope belay, as well as setting up techniques using rope and webbing. Special emphasis on anchor building will also be included. Ability to climb and rappel at least at the beginner’s level will be required. This is NOT a certification course.

PRLS 119: Trap and Skeet Shooting (2 credits)
Fee: $237 – Equipment usage, shells, targets. If students have their own guns and they are acceptable for class, then price may be reduced by $30.
This course is designed to educate the student on gun and range safety. The course will include hands on learning of the games trap and skeet, where competitors fire at clay targets (approximately 4¼ inches in diameter and 1⅛ inches in height) launched from a trap at varying angles.

PRLS 120: Introduction to Backpacking (2 credits)
Fee: $100-150 – Cost of food, transportation, equipment, permits and miscellaneous
A practical course designed for students with little or no knowledge of backpacking. The course will involve discussions and activities to teach students backpacking terms, equipment, techniques, and safety considerations for back country wilderness travel. Topics will include trip planning, equipment/clothing selection and use, map and compass skills, route finding, back country cooking, basic first aid and emergency procedures, environmental considerations and hazards, negotiating variable terrain, and back country ethics and low impact camping, culminating in an overnight (or multi-night) backpacking trip.

PRLS 121: Intermediate Trap and Skeet Shooting (2 credits)
Fee: $280
This course is designed to educate the student on gun and range safety. The course will include hands on learning the different trap games, where competitors fire at clay targets approximately 4¼ inches in diameter and 1 1/8 inch height launched from a trap at varying angles.

PRLS 170: Introduction to Whitewater Kayaking (1 credit)
Fee: $125 – Equipment usage and upkeep
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate class III water and to plan and execute trips in up to class II water. This course will include instruction in, but not limited to, boat handling, basic terminology, kayak design, trip planning, river safety, water reading, river etiquette, and environmental ethics.

PRLS 173: Introduction to Coastal Kayaking (2 credits)
Fee: $200 – Equipment usage and upkeep
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to safely paddle sea/coastal kayaks and execute trips on rivers and coastal environments. This course will include instruction in, but not limited to, boat handling, terminology, kayak design, trip planning, marine hazards and safety, rules of the Nautical Road, weather and tides and environmental ethics.

PRLS 174: Open Water Coastal Kayaking (2 credits)
Fee: $200 – Equipment usage and upkeep
This course is designed to provide experienced Coastal Kayaking students with an introduction to advanced strokes and maneuvers, open water rescues, on-water navigation and safety concerns related to open water.

PRLS 175: Introduction to Rowing (1 credit)
Fee: $25 – Equipment usage and upkeep
This course is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to row successfully in an eight-oared rowing shell. This course will include instruction in, but not limited to, proper handling of rowing equipment, basic terminology, the proper execution of the rowing stroke, water safety and team building.

PRLS 180: Whitewater Canoeing (2 credits)
Fee: $25 – Equipment usage and upkeep
A practical course designed for students with little or no knowledge/skills in moving water and white water canoeing. The course will involve activities to teach basic terms, rules, techniques for river safety, paddle strokes, boat control and maneuvering, reading river currents and conditions, self-rescue techniques, ethics and river etiquette, and running rivers up to Class II+ in difficulty. There will be one classroom and 4 all-day paddling sessions on regional rivers.

PRLS 181: Whitewater Canoeing - Level II (2 credits)
Fee: $25-50 – Equipment usage and upkeep
A practical methods course to advance and refine the student's whitewater canoeing technique and skills with regard to paddle strokes, turns, maneuvers, boat control, and river safety/rescue skills.

PRLS 190: Downhill Skiing (1 credit)
Fee: $150 – Includes rental of skis, boots, poles, instruction, and lift tickets. For those who own their own equipment, then it would be the cost of instruction / lift tickets.
Teaches and refines basic skills of downhill skiing. Teaches and review selection and use of equipment, terminology and safety rules. Includes lecture and field experience.

PRLS 191: Snowboarding (1 credit)
Fee: $150 – Includes rental of skis, boots, poles, instruction, and lift tickets. For those who own their own equipment, then it would be the cost of instruction / lift tickets.
Develop and refine basic skills of snowboarding. Besides skills, course will cover selection and use of equipment, terminology and safety rules.

PRLS 195: Introduction to Hot Air Ballooning (2 credits)
Fee: $300 – Equipment usage and upkeep
The course will include history, FAA regulations, equipment, weather, instruments, flight planning, balloon operations, and medical factors. Laboratory includes skill development as a crew member and pilot, using an AX-8 hot air balloon. FAA student pilot certificates will be offered to all students. Although this is an introductory course, those completing it with a B or better grade will be eligible to sit for the FAA written examination for Lighter-than-air, free balloon, a requirement for the private pilot certificate.

PRLS 250: Wilderness Travel and Sustainability (2 credits)
Fee: $300 – Cost of food, transportation, equipment, and permits
This experiential course is designed for students with prior backpacking experience. The course will involve discussions, demonstrations, and activities that teach students wilderness skills, safety and judgment, leadership and teamwork, and environmental ethics.

PRLS 253: Florida Everglades Canoe Expedition (3 credits)
Fee: $480
This course focuses on developing the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, manage, and participate in a wilderness canoe expedition, while exploring the regions natural history. Students will be engaged in classroom preparation; training in canoeing and wilderness travel/living skills; group leadership; and environmental education in the Everglades National Park ecosystem. Offered during the winter intersession.