Exploring Physical Education Courses at Cornell University

Cornell University offers a diverse array of physical education courses designed to cater to a wide range of interests and skill levels within the Cornell community. These courses span various semesters and are facilitated through different departments, including Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) and the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions.

Cornell Outdoor Education (COE)

Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) is an integral part of the Physical Education Department, providing both credit and non-credit courses in various outdoor activities. COE distinguishes itself through unique operational policies compared to other units on campus.

Enrollment Policies Specific to COE

It is important to note that COE maintains its own enrollment and other policies, including drop deadlines. The drop deadlines for COE courses are significantly earlier than the University’s general deadlines. Students enrolling in COE courses must carefully check the specific drop deadline for their course. Failure to drop by the specified deadline will result in responsibility for the course fee and a $50 late drop fee. Courses may be added any time before the class starts, with no late enrollment fee.

Winter Session Courses (Multi-Semester)

COE offers several multi-semester courses, particularly during the Winter Session. These courses often involve a part one held in November and a part two in January. For instance:

Course Example 1: Part one (course fee: $450) is held in November 2024, and part two (course fee: $0) runs from January 13-16, 2025, from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Course Example 2: Part one (course fee: $450) is held in November 2024, and part two (course fee: $0) runs from January 17-20, 2025, from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Course Example 3: Part one (course fee: $855) is held in November 2024, and part two (course fee: $0) runs from January 13-20, 2025, from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Course Example 4: Part one (course fee: $375) is held in November 2024, and part two (course fee: $0) runs from January 17-19, 2025, from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm.

Attendance in part one in November is mandatory to participate in part two in January. Students are responsible for enrolling in the winter class (part 2). For those living on-campus, it's essential to arrange for off-campus accommodations until the residential halls reopen.

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Summer Session Courses

The School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions offers various physical education courses during the summer.

Independent Study Options

For students seeking flexibility, independent study options are available, such as day hiking and trail running. These sections typically involve online meetings to discuss safety practices and hiking basics, with the remainder of the course being self-guided. For example, one section of day hiking includes an online meeting on Tuesday, June 24, from 6-7:00 pm, while a trail running section has its online meeting on Tuesday, June 24, from 5-6:00 pm.

Outdoor Activities

The Finger Lakes Region, known for its spectacular gorges, waterfalls, and glacially carved lakes, offers an ideal setting for outdoor physical education. Courses take advantage of this natural wonder, providing opportunities to explore and appreciate the scenery.

Rock Climbing: Introductory courses cover rock climbing movement and techniques, belaying, equipment, knots, rappelling, and safety, ensuring individual attention and a supportive environment.
Tree Climbing: The Cornell Tree Climbing Institute offers a unique experience, allowing participants to climb some of the largest trees on the planet in the High Sierra mountains.
Ropes Course Programming: Students can learn and apply technical, safety, leadership, and facilitation skills essential to effective ropes course programming, including knot tying and challenge course belaying. The course is taught at the Hoffman Challenge Course, with transportation provided.
Recreational Biking: This course allows students to explore the area by bike, following roads and bike paths from campus to waterfalls and scenic views.
Canoeing: A relaxed environment to learn the fundamentals of canoeing while exploring Beebe Lake and other Finger Lakes area waterways.

Aquatics

Beginning Swimming: An entry-level class for those with little or no swimming experience, focusing on basic skills necessary to meet the University Swim Requirement. Emphasis is placed on developing proper techniques.
Intermediate Swimming: Ideal for those who have completed Beginning Swimming or have some basic knowledge of how to swim.
Advanced Swimming: Practice and perfection of techniques for the five basic strokes: Front Crawl, Back Crawl, Elementary Backstroke, Breaststroke, Sidestroke.
Swim Training: Introduction to different training methods, with a final objective of swimming 2,500 yards in one class period. This is primarily a conditioning course.
Water Polo: Basic rules and terminology are covered, and skills taught include swimming and treading techniques (eggbeater kick), passing, and shooting.
Open Water Diver: A program that includes knowledge development and skill training in the pool. All classes are referral only (no open water dives). There are course prerequisites: able to swim, medically fit for diving, comfortable in the water. PRIOR to the Open Water Diver course, your instructor will ask you to: Float or tread water without aids for 10 minutes Swim 200 metres/yards with no aids or 300 metres/yards with mask, fins and snorkel. Scuba diving requires a minimum level of health and fitness. Chronic health conditions, certain medications and/or recent surgery may require you to get written approval from a physician before diving.
Rescue Diver: Advanced level course for people who have completed Advanced Open Water Certification and are interested in learning rescue and safety techniques and how to handle emergency situations.

Racquet Sports

Tennis: Instruction and practice in the basic skills of the game. Grip, serve, forehand, backhand, and lob are areas covered along with scoring systems. All equipment is furnished.

Dance

Social Ballroom Dance: A beginning-level class introducing students to Social Ballroom Dance. Participants can expect to have fun, learn some history of American Social Dance, learn about movement - how to move with.
American Smooth Style Ballroom Dance: Offered during the fall semester, this is a beginning-level class that introduces students to three American Smooth Style ballroom dances - Waltz, Foxtrot, and Tango. This class will go further in depth.
Belly Dance: An exciting and beautiful art form originating in the Middle East and North Africa. Belly Dance is a fun way to develop flexibility, body awareness, and overall.
Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Son and Comparsa: This class introduces Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Son and Comparsa. Salsa derives from the Cuban rhythm of Son. As a music and dance form, it has acquired regional variations and absorbed influences.
Salsa Level 2: This class covers beginner through advanced beginner Salsa moves. Students learn step variations and turn patterns as seen in Latin social dance and nightclub settings. Class begins with a warm-up of Salsa.

Kinesiology and Health & Physical Education Teaching

Kinesiology is the interdisciplinary study of human physical activity. The kinesiology major and courses provide students with opportunities to investigate biological, behavioral, cultural, and pedagogical aspects of human physical activities including exercise and sport. The Health and Physical Education Teaching Concentration courses emphasize theory and application of health and physical education pedagogy, ethics, and administrative concepts associated with teaching at the elementary and secondary school level.

Coaching Endorsement or Authorization

To obtain a Coaching Endorsement the individual must complete a major in Elementary Education or coursework leading to secondary certification and be granted an Iowa Teaching Certificate. The Coaching Authorization is available to those who do not complete teaching certification requirements or who do not hold an Iowa Teaching Certificate. Both the Endorsementand the Authorization qualify an individual to be a head coach or an assistant coach in any sport offered in the Iowa public schools.

Read also: Cornell University Semester Guide

Important Dates and Deadlines

It's crucial to pay attention to add and drop deadlines, as missing these can result in financial penalties. For instance, many courses have a drop deadline of Wednesday, September 10, 2025, after which students will be responsible for the course fee and assessed a $50 late drop fee.

Additional Information

The course times and descriptions on this site feed directly from the Class Roster (Fall and Spring) and the Courses of Study on a daily basis. However, changes to course times and/or fees listed on this site at the top of the various class pages take precedence over those listed in the Course and Time Roster.

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