| Department: | Health, Physical Education, and Recreation |
| Course Number: | PHE-103-01 |
| Credit Hours: | 1.0 |
Instructor: |
Jason M. Purcell |
| E-Mail: | jpurcell@prefer.net |
| Office: | (270) 753-7001, ext. 161 (8a-6p) |
| Residence: | (270) 753-0975 (6p-8a) |
| Pager: | (270) 414-0412 |
| FAX: | (603) 372-2880 |
- 1. Title
- Beginning Fencing
- 2. Catalog Description
- PHE 103-01 Beginning Fencing T 6:00-8:00
- 3. Purpose
- Beginning Fencing will equip students with a general understanding of modern fencing's major components while teaching the basic skills necessary to enjoy a lifetime of both competitive and recreational fencing.
- 4. Course Objectives
- Students will learn the basic skills necessary to compete in all three weapons (foil, sabre, and epee ), though most class time will be spent in foil instruction. Students will learn proper fencing etiquette, competitive rules, basic skills, and classic fighting techniques. In addition, students will learn to conduct themselves appropriately while bouting under tournament conditions.
- 5. Content Outline
- Introduction
- An Historical Overview of Fencing
- Overview of Modern Fencing
- Selection and Care of Equipment
- Basic Footwork
- Basic Handwork
- Beginning to Bout
- Psychological and Physical Conditioning
- Advanced Strategies, Tactics, and Techniques
- Fencing for a Lifetime
- 6. Instructional Activities
- Classroom instruction and student application will comprise the bulk of this course. Video tapes and demonstrations by advanced fencers may also be utilized. Additionally, a class tournament will be held at the end of the semester.
- 7. Field Experiences
- A maximum of 100 extra credit points will be awarded for participating as a competitor or official in instructor-approved fencing events held during the semester.
- 8. Resources
- Course text, handouts, and video tapes will serve as the primary class resources.
- 9. Grading Procedures
- The cumulative-point system will be used with the following weights:
| Attendance | 100 points | 20% |
| Class Tournament | 100 points | 20% |
| Term Paper | 100 points | 20% |
| Written Examination | 100 points | 20% |
| Physical Examination | 100 points | 20% |
Five points will be deducted from a student's attendance grade for every unexcused absence after the first. The only event that constitutes an excused absence is the death or sudden severe illness of a student or a student's family member or very close friend.
A grade will be issued based on participation and conduct in the class tournament. In order to receive full credit, students must participate in all required bouts and conduct themselves in accordance with tournament rules and proper fencing etiquette. In addition, all students will be required to assist in tournament administration in some capacity. Extra credit will be awarded to those who qualify for the final round. Additional extra credit will be awarded to the top four finishers.
The term paper can cover any fencing or sword-related topic, but must be highly focused. Topics deemed too ambiguous or broad by the instructor will be penalized accordingly. The paper should be e-mailed or submitted on a PC-formatted floppy in any version of Novell/Corel WordPerfect or Microsoft Word file format. Printed submissions will not be accepted without an accompanying electronic version. The merit of the paper will be evaluated primarily according to content and substance, with additional credit awarded for thoroughness, writing style, and grammatical excellence. The paper must be at least 2000 words in length, and submitted by the end of the final class period. Papers will not be accepted after this time for any reason. Because of the volatile nature of electronics, each student is encouraged to retain one hard (printed) copy and two electronic copies (on separate diskettes) of his or her paper.
The written examination will consist entirely of essay questions. A study guide detailing every question will be distributed during the first class meeting. Two bonus questions totaling twelve points will also appear on the final examination.
The physical examination will consist of a series of brief tests which will require the student to demonstrate basic fencing skills in a technically correct and fluid manner. Up to ten extra credit points will be awarded for style. A study guide detailing every test will be distributed during the first class meeting.
The standard ten-point grading scale will be strictly followed:
| 90% and above | 450 points and above | A |
| 80 - 89% | 400 - 449 points | B |
| 70 - 79% | 350 - 399 points | C |
| 60 - 69% | 300 - 349 points | D |
| 59% and below | 299 points and below | E |
- 10. Attendance Policy
- For specific attendance policy, see section 9. Grading Procedures. Attendance is required for this class because fencing skills simply cannot be acquired from a book alone. In addition, material must be covered very quickly in order for students to obtain all the knowledge and skills necessary to become novice fencers in 32 course hours. Both academic and physical performance, without exception, suffer due to absences. Therefore, it is to the student's advantage to attend every class meeting possible. Classes will begin on time, and students are expected to be ready for physical activities ten minutes after being dismissed to the training area.
- 11. Academic Honesty Policy
- Each student is expected to read and comply to MSU's Academic Honesty Policy. Cheating, in any form, will not be tolerated.
- 12. Text and References
- Foil Fencing, eighth ed., 1997, by Muriel Bower
- 13. Prerequisites
- Students must be free of major cardiovascular and respiratory disorders.
- 14. Required Fees
- A student fee of $10.00 is required to purchase a personal fencing glove. These gloves will be acquired from an approved fencing equipment supplier.
- 15. Student Attire and Attitude
- Students are required to wear tennis shoes or other athletic footwear. In addition, students must wear pants that fasten below the knees (such as sweatpants) in order to reduce the likelihood of injury to the lower body. Any student who fails to comply to these safety standards may be barred from participating in physical activities. Students are strongly encouraged to wear shoes capable of gripping smooth surfaces and loose-fitting clothing so that extreme body movements will not be unnecessarily restricted. All students are asked to dress modestly and converse respectfully with both other students and all instructors.
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