Exercise & Sport Studies

Performance courses are offered for credit in a wide variety of activities. Each class is designed to enhance the student’s physical skills, fitness, knowledge of human movement and understanding of the role of physical activity in a healthy lifestyle. Each course encompasses a combination of instruction in techniques, readings, lectures and discussion. In general, each section involves an average of two scheduled hours per week plus an hour of work outside of class each week. Students may count no more than four performance course credits toward the degree. Courses with multiple sections may be repeated for credit, but individual course sections may not be repeated for credit.

Please check the course catalog for up-to-date information. You can also see the Five College course schedule.

ESS 100 Playing the Game: Introduction to Exercise and Sport Studies 
A beginning survey course of the disciplines that address physical activity and sport. The course takes into account the general effects of physical activity and how one studies and analyzes these experiences. Course content includes an examination of behavioral, sociocultural, and biophysical experiences and professional possibilities. Open to first years and sophomores. Credits: 4 
Clare Elizabeth Gardner Doyle, Zack Thomas Kundel 
Normally offered each fall 

ESS 107 Emergency Care 
The goal of this course is to teach emergency medical care that enables the student to (a) recognize symptoms of illness and injuries; (b) implement proper procedures; (c) administer appropriate care; (d) achieve and maintain proficiency in all caregiving skills; (e) be responsible and behave in a professional manner; and (f) become certified in Community First Aid/AED and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Credits: 2 
Craig Collins 
Normally offered both fall and spring semesters 

ESS 110 Introduction to Sports Coaching 
This course introduces students to the principles of coaching that are applicable to all sports. Content includes the following areas of sport science: pedagogy, leadership, psychology, biomechanics, physiology, growth and development and areas of health and wellness related to the well-being of athletes. Enrollment limited to 20. {S} Credits: 4 
Jaime L. Ginsberg, Adriane Elizabeth Meyer Krul 
Normally offered each spring 

ESS 130 Stress Management: Practice and Resilience 
The physical and psychological components of stress, identification of personal stress response patterns and techniques for daily stress management. Enrollment limited to 20.Credits: 2 
Barbara Brehm-Curtis, Jaime L. Ginsberg, Erin Catherine Miller, Ellen M. O'Neil 
Normally offered both fall and spring semesters 

ESS 140 Health Behavior 
The influence of behavior on health and well-being. Students examine the way in which factors such as nutrition and dietary habits, stress perception and response, and physical activity interact with the physiological processes of health, disease and aging.  Enrollment limited to 40. Credits: 4 
Elizabeth Jaggard Barnett 
Normally offered each academic year 

ESS 175 Applied Exercise Science 
An experiential course designed to introduce students to applied exercise physiology and kinesiology. Such subjects as energy expenditure, energy systems, aerobic power, effort perception, applied anatomy and training principles are studied using a system of lecture and laboratory sessions. Enrollment limited to 20. Credits: 2 
Emily Morgan Lopez 
Normally offered each interterm 

ESS 200 Sport: In Search of the American Dream 
This course will help students explore the way that sport overlaps with and directly influences many aspects of the "American Dream" such as politics, economics, and racial and gender based (in)-equality.  Students will investigate historical and current trends in sport and have the opportunity to examine individuals who had an impact on sport and American society.  Enrollment limit of 30. {H} {S} Credits: 4 
Members of the department 
Normally offered in alternate years 

ESS 210 Kinesiology 
Study of the anatomical and biophysical (e.g. biomechanics, motor control & learning, and skeletal muscle structure) aspects of human movement.  Topics include how movement is produced by bones, joints, muscles, and the nervous system; and factors that moderate movement such as resistance, body position, inertia, and motor control.  This course is of interest to students interested in physical conditioning, and athletics and coaching. {N} Credits: 4 
Karen Lynn Riska 
Normally offered each spring 

ESS 215 Physiology of Exercise 
Exercise, sport and outdoor activities all require energy. The study of these energetic events is the basis of this course. We study how the body adapts to repeated bouts of physical activity and how the body can perform a single event. This course is highly applied. Short lectures accompanied by relevant laboratory experiences. Prerequisite: BIO 150 or permission of the instructor. This course also counts toward the major in biological sciences. Enrollment limited to 20. {N} Credits: 4 
Members of the department 
Normally offered in alternate years 

ESS 220 Psychology of Sport 
This is an introductory course designed to provide information and facilitate understanding in regard to the mental processes that promote peak performance and experience. Topics include imagery, self-talk, competition, motivation, team cohesion, peak performance, anxiety, attention and confidence. Cultural differences and  creating inclusive and accessble sport spaces will also be discussed.  PSY 100 is recommended but is not a prerequisite.{S} Credits: 4 
Members of the department 
Normally offered in alternate years 

ESS 230 Body Images and Sport Media 
An exploration of sporting images as projected through the media. Primary emphasis is on print and electronic journalism, including written narratives, photography, television, film and digital images. The course examines the (re)presentation and (re)production of the athletic or healthy body as the standard for fitness. The topic includes issues on embodiment, cultural symbolism, political and moral ideologies and commercialization. {S} Credits: 4 
Erica S. Tibbetts 
Normally offered in alternate years 

ESS 240 Exercise and Sport for Social Change 
This class is designed for students who wish to understand more about the role sport and exercise can play in relation to social justice and civil rights movements, the way that current inequities influence who is able to participate in various types of sport/exercise, and methods for addressing these inequalities and injustices. Students will have the chance to learn about social justice and social change as they relate to the following topics: athlete activism, coaching, administration, participation, fairness, and non-profit community based and governmental level interventions. Enrollment limit of 20. {S} Credits: 4 
Erica S. Tibbetts 
Normally offered in alternate years 

ESS 250 Nutrition and Health 
An introduction to the science of human nutrition. Topics include absorption and transportation of nutrients in the body, and the way nutrients are used to support growth and development and maintain health. We also examine how personal dietary choices affect nutritive quality of the diet and the health of an individual. The relationship between diet and health is explored throughout the course. Special topics include diet and physical fitness, weight control, vegetarianism and women’s nutrition concerns. High school chemistry recommended but not required. Credits: 4 
Barbara Brehm-Curtis, Brooke Alexis Marshall 
Normally offered each academic year 

ESS 280 Applied Sports Medicine 
Healthy participation in sport activities can occur throughout life. Injuries due to involvement in sport can result in untold expense, discomfort and possible lifelong problems. The etiology and prevention of injury are discussed. The anatomic and clinical features of specific injuries are analyzed. Exercise as medicine is also discussed.  Lecture and discussion are supported by applied laboratory exercises. Enrollment limited to 20.{S} Credits: 4 
Members of the department 
Normally offered in alternate years 

ESS 300 Topics in Exercise Sport Studies 
Topics course. Enrollment limit of 12. 

Physical Activity & Health 
A seminar focusing on the relationship between physical activity and health.  Physical activity can be used as a strategy to prevent and treat chronic disease.  In this seminar, we will explore the evidence underlying the relationship between physical activity and health in a variety of populations. Major topics include physical activity and sedentary behavior epidemiology, measurement and study design, chronic disease etiology, and health disparities.  Emphasis is placed on critical evaluation of seminal and current research in the field. Enrollment limit of 14. Credits: 4 
Members of the department 
Expected to be offered in the next 3 years 

ESS 340 Women’s Health: Current Topics 
A seminar focusing on current research papers in women’s health. Recent topics have included reproductive health issues, eating disorders, heart disease, depression, autoimmune disorders and breast cancer. Prerequisites: 140 or a strong biological sciences background, and permission of the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors. This course may not be taken for the S/U grading option. Enrollment limited to 14. {N} Credits: 4 
Members of the department 
Normally offered each academic year 

ESS 400 Special Studies 
Credits: 1-4 
Members of the department 
Normally offered each academic year 

IDP 208 Women’s Medical Issues 
A study of topics and issues relating to women’s health, including menstrual cycle, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, abortion, mental health, nutrition, osteoporosis, the media’s representation of women and gender bias in health care. Social, cultural, ethical and political issues are considered, as well as an international perspective.{N} Credits: 4 
Leslie Richard Jaffe 
Normally offered each spring