The Department of Physical Education and Physical Therapy adopts a practical and technical study of Italy's national sport of soccer. Training, teamwork, the culture of Italian soccer, coaching, and rehabilitation are amongst the covered areas of study. Several department activities take place in professional facilities and involve interaction with active figures in Italian professional athleticism.
3 semester credits. This course develops technical pedagogical knowledge and skills applicable to coaching soccer. Students will learn to demonstrate the links between coaching theory and practice in a variety of practical coaching contexts. Students will explore diverse coaching philosophies (the comparison between US and Italian approaches, for example) and the principles of effective coaching. Proper communication skills, sport pedagogy, and sport physiology will also be considered.
3 semester credits. This course provides students with an introductory overview of the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries arising from sport and physical activity. The course covers the basics of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics, examination and assessment of injuries, planning treatment and rehabilitation, and fitness testing. Post-injury and pre-competition assessments, massage and thermal applications, and aquatic rehabilitation are also examined.
3 semester credits. Saul Steinberg famously observed that it is impossible to understand America without a profound knowledge of baseball. The same could be said for Italy and soccer. For many, "calcio" and Italian society are inextricably intertwined and "the beautiful game" is never just a game. This course traces the history of Italian soccer and the personalities - players, trainers, and managers - who have shaped the game. The technical aspects of Italian soccer such as rules, tactics, strategies, psychology, and training will be explored during the training hours of the course. A visit to the Coverciano museum of soccer and the world-renowned coaching school is an integral part of the course.
3 semester credits. This course provides students with an introduction to the art of yoga and meditation to gain an understanding of the philosophical and spiritual contexts that the discipline is rooted in. The course investigation begins with the notion of awareness, and the acquisition of the term through an overview of the principal asanas and their correct practice. The spiritual aspects of yoga are experienced in the form of various meditation techniques from different philosophies as well as the study of pranayama breathing exercises. Topics also include an examination of yoga props as well as dietary and nutritional guidelines, studied through the lens of yoga philosophy gleaned from sacred texts. The course will cover yoga traditions from ancient times to more contemporary interpretations.
3 semester credits. This course is designed for students with a foundation in yoga practice and philosophy, anatomy and applications for health. "Everyone can do yoga" is an essential departure point for this course as students expand upon, apply, and adapt previous knowledge as they learn the essential elements of a wholesome, balanced and safe lifetime yoga practice. Through a hands-on approaches and lecture, students will learn best practices for pre and post natal yoga, kids yoga, over 60's yoga, as well as yoga for diversely abled persons. In addition, students will learn principles of ayurveda, the sophisticated ancient Indian mind-body health system, to enhance the lifetime benefits of yoga. Ayurvedic concepts will be explored in the light of achieving the maximum benefits from yoga practice and in relation to modern medicine. Upon completion of this course, students will have further cultivated their practice of yoga and awareness, and will have gained the tools to adapt yoga practice throughout the stages of life. Prerequisite: Two previous yoga courses (including one intermediate-level course, or equivalent.
3 semester credits. Movement and dance have been used as forms of self-expression and healing since the earliest records of human civilization. Within a studio setting, students enrolled in this course will explore the therapeutic and expressive aspects of dance/movement experiences while at the same time gaining a deeper understanding of the evolution of dance/movement throughout history and cultures. Theory and application will be studied with the goal of investigating the therapeutic effects of dance/movement therapy in educational, counseling, and rehabilitation settings. Students will gain hands-on experience, putting the techniques and methods learned in class into practice. Other creative arts therapy modalities will also be examined to provide a more comprehensive foundation of this discipline.
3 semester credits. This course will introduce students to the ancient Chinese practices of Qi Gong and Tai Chi. Students will explore and develop meditative practices which can help improve health and wellbeing through movements which work with the body’s chi (qi), or vital energy. Qi Gong is an adaptive healing-based practice with its roots in Chinese medicine, from which Tai Chi grew as a meditative martial arts form. Students will learn about the historical origins, Chinese medicine principals, and underpinning philosophical values of both practices. They will also learn the techniques to develop a personal practice comprised of physical movements, breath techniques, posture, stretching, Tai Chi forms, and meditation to cultivate health and balance in the body.
3 semester credits. In the 1900’s, fitness pioneer Joseph Pilates designed and refined a series of exercises to rehabilitate himself from poor health and physical conditions from which he suffered in the early part of his life. Students will explore the health benefits and the physical practice of Pilates, a form of low-impact, whole-body exercise adaptable to all fitness levels. Students will learn about alignment, breathing, strengthening, balance, flexibility, and awareness as they progress through Pilates exercises and learn how to intelligently move their body. Students will also identify and evaluate the characteristics of exercises which are optimal for modern lifestyles, long-term health and wellness, individual needs, as well as rehabilitation and injury prevention. Basic anatomy and physiology as related to Pilates as well as healthy diet principals will also be covered.
3 semester credits. The internship course is designed to involve students in the competitive athletics. Students will have the opportunity to shadow the daily routine of a sport venue and its professional sports trainers. The student will observe how to create specialized workout routines and to target specific goals. The internship involves assisting the trainer in implementing a comprehensive performance and enhancement program for athletes dedicated to building proficiency and training techniques that may include acceleration, multi-directional movement, and agility. Interns will be expected to participate in training sessions and collaborate in projects. The internship tasks assigned may vary according to the degree Italian language knowledge. This internship course aims to prepare students for the professional world and features an unsalaried internship scheduled individually for a minimum of ten hours per week. Students generally serve as part-time interns from Monday through Friday, although some internships may require weekend hours or ongoing research-based and production/editing activities for remote placements. The internship enhances student knowledge through field experience held in a professional environment overseen by a supervisor who regularly monitors the internship progress and development, and guides the student’s preparation of a final analytical report and portfolio. Placements will vary depending on the student’’s language and professional skills. Main tasks: Sport Industry research and market trends analysis, sport and fitness practices development and management, operational involvement and analysis, customer care standards and practices, consumer trend observations and projections, strategic planning for the sports industry, final portfolio. Additional materials/Dress code: Business casual attire for dress code. Not applicable to remote option. Prerequisites: A B1/B2 level of Italian language. Cover letter, CV, and material pertinent to the chosen area, interview.
3 semester credits. This course is aimed to offer students already possessing a solid foundation of yoga knowledge and practice the tools to use the therapeutic functions of Hatha yoga in overcoming physical, mental, and emotional distress. Students will become familiar with health, wellness, and stress management topics through yoga practice in a therapeutic context. Through the hands-on approach to asanas, pranayama breathing exercises, and meditation techniques, students understand how to integrate yoga as a complementary treatment to medicine and a vital role in maintaining a healthy body and mind. The constant practice of awareness and observation combined with an analysis of anatomy and physiology applied to common pains and distresses will development the application of yoga therapy in individual and group contexts throughout the duration of the course.