BA (HONS) IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND RECREATION STUDIES ====================================================== Course Title ------------ Physical Education and Recreation Studies is an umbrella term which encompasses areas such as sports, physical education, recreation, leisure, health fitness and other allied fields. Students completing this programme will not be specialists, but a group of generalists who are able to embark upon a range of careers contributing to government, education, business and industry in Hong Kong. This Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Degree in Physical Education and Recreation Studies should produce graduates who are liberally educated and who have an understanding and appreciation of the importance of movement in their complete development. Course Aims And Objectives -------------------------- This degree course emphasizes both academic and professional competence in accordance with Hong Kong's societal needs. The programme aims to educate students to sufficient depth in the discipline of physical education and recreation studies, and, at the same time, to provide students with a strong liberal arts education background so that they are capable of embarking upon a wide variety of careers. The course adopts an interdisciplinary approach in understanding physical education and recreation studies as well as developing skills necessary for handling jobs required by the local society. Specifically, the intellectual aims of the course are to enable students: (i) to acquire knowledge of human development along physical, mental, emotional and social dimensions through physical and recreational activities; (ii) to attain a thorough understanding of human movement in relation to history, philosophy, physiology, psychology, sociology, and kinesiology; (iii) to have a broad perspective on the role and social value of physical education and recreation in educating the whole person; and (iv) to meet basic requirements for graduate studies in fields of physical education, sports and recreation. The practical objectives of the course are to develop: (i) ability of students to design, plan, implement and supervise programmes in physical education, sports and recreation; and (ii) leadership qualities and professional skills of students to serve in youth and community agencies, public administration, the civil services (including the discipline forces), private fitness clubs, business and education organizations. Career Opportunities For Graduates ---------------------------------- A. Government 1. Recreation and Sports Services - Urban and Regional Services Departments 2. Amenities Offices - Urban and Regional Services Departments 3. Discipline Forces (Inspectors, Officers, Physical Training Officers) 4. Recreational facilities for discipline forces B. Government Subvented/National Association 5. Hong Kong Sports Institute 6. National Sports Associations (approximately 60 in Hong Kong) 7. Outward Bound School 8. Sports Development Board 9. Youth Hostels Association 10. Voluntary Associations 11. Tertiary Educational Institutions C. Private 12. Companies with large sports facilities 13. Private recreation and sports clubs (approximately 80 in Hong Kong) 14. Commercial (public) sports facilities 15. Major sports equipment companies 16. Professional sports clubs Although the goal of the BA (Hons) Degree in Physical Education and Recreation Studies does not involve teacher training, and the University does not wish to produce graduates who feel wrongly that they do not need further professional training in order to teach; the liberal education tradition of the University puts it in a strong position to produce honours degree graduates who, after further training in professional skills, may become teachers in secondary schools. This is true for the Physical Education and Recreation Studies Degree Course, whose graduates may be in great demand, after further training, to teach Physical Education in secondary schools. Course Curriculum ----------------- The required subjects of the Physical Education and Recreation Studies Major ensure a common learning experience for students and are carefully structured in the 3-year course. They are generally grouped into the followings: (1) Foundation Subjects: History of Physical Education and Recreation, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Psychosocial Aspects of Physical Education and Recreation, Philosophy and Principles of Physical Education and Recreation, Exercise Physiology, Motor Learning and Development, Kinesiology. (2) Subjects Leading to the Concentrations: Personal and Community Health Fitness, Theory and Practice in Recreation, Development of Health Fitness and Recreation in Hong Kong , Prevention and Care of Sports Injuries, Organization and Administration in Physical Education and Recreation, Financial and Human Resources Management in Leisure Services. (3) Research and Methodology Subjects: Tests and Measurement, Research Methods, Honours Project. (4) Skill Subjects: Aquatics, Athletics, Rhythmic Activity, Outdoor Activity, Conditioning and Fitness, Team Sports and Racket Sports. Sometime during the first semester of the second year, and with consultation of the Advisor of Studies, Physical Education and Recreation Studies students select one of the two concentrations - Health Fitness or Recreation Management. These two areas are recognized as significant areas within the field of physical education and recreation in Hong Kong. In each concentration, students have to take the following subjects: Concentration in Health Fitness ------------------------------- Health Fitness Evaluation and Assessment, Stress Management in Health Fitness, Management of Health Fitness Programmes, Health Fitness for Selected Population and Nutrition and Health Fitness. Concentration in Recreation Management -------------------------------------- Programme Planning and Implementation, Public and Community Recreation, Marketing in Leisure Services, Special Recreation and Facility Management. .