University of Southern California – Human and Evolutionary Biology

Exercise Science 400L –Principles of Perceptual Motor Learning (4 Units)

Fall 2011

Instructors:

Alberto F. Vallejo, PhD, CSCS

Office Location: PED 107

Office Hours: Tues, Wed, Thurs, 11 a.m. to noon

Telephone: 213-740-2492

Erik M. Kolb, PhD

Office Location: PED B7

Office Hours: Wed 10 -12pm, and by appointment

Telephone: 213-740-2495

Lecture: Days: Monday/Wednesday Time: 8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. Location: THH 210

Laboratory:

Location: PED B13

-Section number 38459R

Time 11:00-1:50 p.m.

Day Tuesday

-Section number 38460R

Time 2:00-4:50 p.m.

Day Wednesday

Course Description:

Theories and principles of learning applied to gross motor performance; analysis and evaluation of variables affecting learning and performance in exercise, games, sports, and dance.

Required Texts:

Motor Learning and Performance. 4th edition. Schmidt, R. A., and Wrisberg, C. A. Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, 2008.

I. Objectives:

A. Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills

B. Critically analyze current motor behavior research and assess the implications and applications for current research findings toward other clinical and/or sport contexts.

C. Improve oral, written, electronic information and communication skills.

D. Gain hands-on experience analyzing motor behavior and quantifying and interpreting motor control and coordination during goal-oriented tasks within various environments.

II. Grading Procedures:

20% Midterm 1

25% Midterm 2

30% Final

10% Project

25% Lab

2.5% (JEP extra credit)

§  A midterm exam can be written after the specified date ONLY if the student has a documented medical excuse.

§  Exams and lab grades will not be given a letter grade. Only the final grade will be given a letter grade. The grading scale will be based on a traditional grading scale as follows:

A (≥94%), A- (≥90%)

B+ (≥88%), B (≥84%), B- (≥80%)

C+ (≥78%), C (≥74%), C- (≥70%)

D+ (≥68%), D (≥64%), D- (≥60%)

F (≤59.9%), or I.C. (incomplete)

§  A request to take a make-up exam must be accompanied by evidence of necessity (ie: letter from a doctor, plane ticket to a game) and must be made before the date of the scheduled exam. Make-up exams will be different from the scheduled exam and may be proctored by personnel who do not have extensive knowledge in the area being tested.

III. Laboratory Component

Lab Director: MaryAnn Bohland Matveyenko ()

Lab Instructors: TBA

IV. EXSC 400L Tentative Lecture Schedule:

Date / Lecture Topic / Required Reading / Instructor
Schmidt and Wrisberg (Chapters)
Aug. 22 / Introduction, Syllabus / Vallejo/Kolb
Aug. 24 / What is a Skill? / 1 / Kolb
Aug. 29 / Muscle Structure and Function / Kolb
Aug.31 / Decision Making, Sensory Inputs / 2, 3 / Kolb
Sep. 5 / Labor Day
Sep. 7 / Feedback or Feedforward? / 3,4 / Kolb
Sep. 12 / The Neurobiology of Movement / 4 / Kolb
Sept. 14 / Motor Programs / 4 / Kolb
Sept. 19 / Midterm 1
Sept. 21 / Motor Control and Accuracy / 5 / Kolb
Sept. 26 / Individual Differences in Ability / 6 / Kolb
Sept. 28 / Motivation I / Kolb
Oct. 3 / Motivation II
Oct. 5 / Skill Learning:
What is The Learning Experience / 7 / Vallejo
Oct. 10 / The Learner / 7 / Vallejo
Oct. 12 / Progress / 7 / Vallejo
Oct. 17 / Midterm 2
Oct. 19 / More consider of the Learning Situation / 8 / Vallejo
Oct. 24 / Skill Techniques / 8 / Vallejo
Oct. 26 / Practice / 8 / Vallejo
Oct. 31 / Structuring Learning / 9 / Vallejo
Nov. 2 / Types of Practice / 9 / Vallejo
Nov. 7 / Feedback during Learning / 10 / Vallejo
Nov. 9 / Considerations during Learning / 10 / Vallejo
Nov. 14 / Presentations / Vallejo/Kolb
Nov. 16 / Presentations / Vallejo/Kolb
Nov. 21 / Presentation / Vallejo/Kolb
Nov. 23-26 / Thanksgiving Recess
Nov. 28 / TBA
Nov. 30 / TBA
Dec. 3-6 / Study Days
Dec. 7 / Final Examination 8am-10am

V. Project Overview and Grading

Project: Work within a group of 2-3, research a chosen motor learning topic, read & summarize a selected current peer-reviewed research article. Provide a written & oral presentation of your summary, which includes the following written components:

Introduction (20%)

Methods (20%)

Results (20%)

Discussion / Conclusion (20%)

Relate to Lecture / Lab (13%)

Grammar (7%)

Project Grade:

Written Summary (30 pts)

Oral / PowerPoint presentation (30 pts)

Total Project (60 pts)

Final Project Grade = 10% Final Course Grade

VI. Academic Accommodations:

Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a disability are required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A letter of verification for approved accommodations can be obtained from DSP. Please be sure the letter is delivered to me (the instructor) as early in the semester as possible. DSP is located in Student Union (STU) 301 and is open 8:30-5:00pm Monday – Friday. The phone number for DSP is 213) 740-0776.

VII. Academic Integrity:

Students who violate University standards of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary sanctions, including failure in the course and suspension from the University. Since dishonesty in any form harms the individual, other students and the University, academic integrity policies will be strictly enforced. I expect you will familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity guidelines found in the current SCampus.

VIII. Academic Integrity Violations:

§  Academic dishonesty/misconduct (plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, etc.) will not be tolerated. All academic integrity violations will result in a grade sanction and will be reported to the Office for Student Judicial Affairs. It is your responsibility to “reasonably” protect your own work from the plagiarism of others.

§  If plagiarism is detected on a group project, all members of the group will be held responsible.

§  You are expected to be familiar with the Academic Integrity guidelines found in the current SCampus (student guidebook). An electronic version is available at http://usc.edu/scampus.

IX. Disruptive and Threatening Student Behavior:

Behavior that persistently or grossly interferes with classroom activities is considered disruptive behavior and may be subject to disciplinary action. Such behavior inhibits other students’ ability to learn and an instructor’s ability to teach. A student responsible for disruptive behavior may be required to leave class pending discussion and resolution of the problem and may be reported to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs for disciplinary action.

X. Blackboard

Notes will be periodically posted on blackboard. However, the information posted on blackboard is not the only material that will be on the exam. If you attend class regularly you will be updated on the status of lecture notes and course material/announcements.

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