Sport Studies

Courses

SSP 103: FOUNDATIONS OF SPORTS STUDIES

Credits 1
This class is a survey of the discipline of kinesiology and sports studies. The course instroduces students to the general characteristics of the discipline, to specific types of professions typically pursued by those graduating from a kinesiology and sports studies program, and assists students in identifying early career decisions. No Prerequisite.

SSP 200: ADULT FITNESS AND WELLNESS

Credits 4
This course addresses health and fitness issues with a focus on lifestyle choices and the impact of those choices. Course requires an outside of class activity regimen. This course completes the Health/Wellness requirement of the General Education Curriculum.

SSP 220: SKILLFUL MOVEMENT I: FITNESS

Credits 2
Skillful movement courses are laboratory courses for physical education teacher education majors with an emphasis on performance skill acquisition and development. Appropriate teaching progressions will be integrated into the skill acquisition activities. The primary focus of this course is the acquisition and assessment of fitness in the areas of cardio-respiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. Participation in activites designed to enhance those fitness components is a primary aspect of the course. No prerequisite.

SSP 221: SKILLFUL MOVEMENT II: IND/DUAL ACT

Credits 2
Skillful Movement courses are laboratory courses for phsyical education teacher education majors with an emphasis on performance skill acquisition and development. Appropriate teaching progressions will be integrated into the skill acquisition activities

SSP 225: INTRO TO ATHLETIC TRAINING

Credits 3
This course will explore the basic topics and issues pertaining to athletic training as established by the National Athletic Trainers' Association.

SSP 230: HLTH & PHY ACT FOR EDUCATION MAJORS

Credits 3
This introductory course is designed to provide pre-service teachers in the areas of Early Childhood Education, and Health/Physical Education with content knowledge for effective health instruction, an understanding of school safety and first aid procedures, an awareness of the importance of a physically active lifestyle, and a comprehension of appropriate movement activities for students from preschool age through grade five. Class format is lecture, discussion, group work, and presentations. No prerequisites.

SSP 240: COACHING STRATEGIES OF FB/WREST

Credits 3
This course addresses strategies for coaching football and wrestling, with an emphasis on preparing students to coach at the interscholastic level. Topics include practice design, drills, strategy, terminology, etiquette, equipment, budgeting, and overall program design and leadership.

SSP 243: COACHING STRATEGIES-BSKTB/VLLBALL

Credits 3
The purpose of this course is to prepare students to coach basketball and volleyball at the high school and college levels. The course introduces students to all aspects of program leadership, and includes a physical activity component for both sports. Students will be evaluated on their coaching capabilities (not playing skills). No prerequisite.

SSP 245: COACHING STATEGIES OF BASEBALL/SOFT

Credits 3
This course focuses on coaching strategies of baseball and softball. The course can count as a Sport Studies program or general elective. While there is no prerequisite, the course will include physical activity most days; students provide glove and appropriate footwear.

SSP 250: HISTORY OF SPORT

Credits 3

This course examines historical aspects of sport from ancient times to the present with an emphasis on 19th and 20th century America. The course also introduces potential career paths within the sport industry and the study of sport as an academic discipline. 

SSP 252: HISTORY OF COMBAT SPORTS IN AMERICA

Credits 3
This course examines the history of combat sports in North America and explores boxing and Mixed Martial Arts influence on American society from historical and contemporary perspectives. No prerequisite.

SSP 255: SPORT IN AMERICAN CULTURE

Credits 3

This course explores the significance of sport in American culture from historical and contemporary perspectives. The course is an option in the Sport Studies Program core in the Sport Foundation and Culture area. 

SSP 260: INTRODUCTION TO SPORT STUDIES

Credits 3
This class is a survey of the discipline of kinesiology and sport studies. The course introduces students to the general characteristics of the discipline, to spedivic types of professions typically pursued by those graduating from a kinesiology and sport studies program, and assists students in identifying early career decisions. No prerequisite.

SSP 265: INTRODUCTION TO ATHLETIC COACHING

Credits 3
This course introduces students to athletic coaching at the youth, travel, scholastic, and collegiate levels. No prerequisite although interest in coaching or a solid grounding in sport or athletics is beneficial.

SSP 270: REVENUE GENERATION IN SPORT

Credits 3
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the revenue-generating strategies utilized at all levels of sport. Students will examine and explore common methods of revenue generation including fundraising, capital campaigns, booster club development, and sponsorships.

SSP 275: NAME, IMAGE & LIKENESS IN SPORT

Credits 3
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to NIL opportunities, help build their personal brands, and develop skills they can use to market their brands. Students will examine and create their brands, develop marketing plans, and create a pitch for businesses.

SSP 290: SPORTS STUDIES PRACTICUM I

Credits 2
Sport Studies Practicum I provides students with supervised practical experience in a sport-related professional setting aligned with their academic and career interests. Through structured field experience, students apply foundational knowledge and develop professional skills within the sport industry. Students are required to complete 100 hours of approved work experience during the semester. Application and approval for the practicum must be completed through the program coordinator prior to enrollment

SSP 298: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SSP

Credits 3
This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study health and physical education, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing.

SSP 299: INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SSP

Credits 3
This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered as needed to students with sophomore standing. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor

SSP 310: CONTEMPORARY HEALTH ISSUES

Credits 3
This course is an examination of the following contemporary health issues: substance use and abuse (including alcohol), communicable and non-communicable disease (including HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases), stress and stress management, aging and death, human sexulaity (including teen pregnancy and parenting), and environmental and consumer health topics. The course is designed to be flexible in addressing emerging health concerns. While a content course, effort will be made to link content to classroom uses for the P-12 health instructor. No prerequisite.

SSP 311: SPORT NUTRITION

Credits 3
This course addresses the role that proper nutrition plays in competitive sport and exercise. Topics covered in the class include modifying nutrient and fluid intake to optimize athletic performance, examination of popular diets, and evaluation of dietary supplements. This course is appropriate for students interested in athletic coaching, athletic training, or diet and exercise.

SSP 320: TESTS/MEASUREMENTS

Credits 3
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of measurement and evaluation techniques in Health and Physical Education, and fitness/sport related fields. Class format will consist of lecture, labs, and field experience, and requires an extensive cooperative project with a fellow student.

SSP 325: PRINCIPLES OF STRENGTH/CONDITIONING

Credits 3
This course addresses the essentials of strength and conditioning including testing, performance, fitness evaluation, and program design. It is appropriate for students interested in pursuing coaching, strength and conditioning certification, or personal fitness training. No prerequisite.

SSP 330: SPORT IN CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY

Credits 3

This course analyzes contemporary issues in sport, with particular emphasis on social theories of sport, and topics such as gender, media, politics, race, and religion.

SSP 333: HISTORY OF WOMEN IN SPORT

Credits 3
This course focuses on the role of women in American sport from historical and contemporary perspectives, with an emphasis on history of women in sport since the 1800s. The course can count as a Sport Studies Program or general elective. No prerequisite.

SSP 335: BASEBALL AND AMERICAN CULTURE

Credits 3
This course examines baseball as a reflection of American culture and explores baseball's influence on American society (and society's impact on the sport) from historical and contemporary perspectives. No prerequisite.

SSP 336: FOOTBALL AND AMERICAN CULTURE

Credits 3
This course examines football as a reflection of American culture and explores football's influence on American society (and society's impact on the sport) from historical and contgemporary perspectives. No prerequisite.

SSP 340: COACHING PRINCIPLES

Credits 3
This course introduces students to the coaching profession. Emphasis is placed on high school and intercollegiate levels, but attention is also given to youth, recreational, and serious club/travel level competition. No prerequisite although interest in coaching at one of the above levels, or a solid grounding in sport or athletics is beneficial.

SSP 345: COACHING & SPORT MENTALITY

Credits 3
This course is designed to introduce students to the factors influencing sport socialization and psychology. Students will be provided with an extensive foundational experience in understanding the relationship between sports and the psychological contexts in which they exist. Topics will include, but are not limited to, the effects of personality, anxiety, motivation, and concentration as they relate to athletic peak performance

SSP 350: SPORT ADMINISTRATION

Credits 3
This course emphasizes principles of leadership and administration of health, physical education, and sport programs. Additionally, the course provides a cursory overview of curriculum content for school health/physical education programs, including state of Georgia requirements and curricular guidelines. No prerequisite.

SSP 360: SPORT FACILITIES AND EVENTS

Credits 3

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an introduction to the planning and management of sports facilities and events. The course will focus on elements of planning, design, and management, while examining functions related to maintenance, security, operations, and evaluation. 

SSP 370: ATHLETICS AND MEDIA RELATIONS

Credits 3

This course is an introduction and overview of the field of sport communication with emphasis on inter-collegiate athletics. Topics include models of sport communication, print and electronic media, sport advertising, public relations, and media relations.

SSP 375: PROFESSIONAL DEV IN SPORT

Credits 3
This course addresses the role of professional development in the sport industry. Topics covered in this class include developing a personal brand, using social media to develop networking opportunities, and development of proper job search and job interview skills. This course is appropriate for junior and senior level sport studies students.

SSP 380: SPORT STUDIES PRACTICUM

Credits 3

This course is designed to provide Sport Studies majors with supervised work experience in a sport-related setting geared to the individual student's career goals. Students will accumulate 150 hours of work experience during the Semester. Application for this practicum experience should be submitted to and approved by the Sports Studies Program Coordinator during the semester prior to actual enrollment in SSP 380.

SSP 398: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPORT STUDIES

Credits 3
This course, which explores a topic of general interest to the study of sport management, is offered as needed to students with a junior or senior standing.

SSP 420: KINESIOLOGY

Credits 3
This course emphasizes the analysis and application of mechanical principles of human movement with emphasis on safe instructional and performance practices.

SSP 430: EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

Credits 3
This course examines physiological response to exercise and adaptations to training. The course emphasizes the influence of physical activity on health, design of conditioning programs, physical activity in select populations and conditions.

SSP 435: SPORT SALES AND PROMOTION

Credits 3

This course provides students the opportunity to analyze and develop skills essential for sales management and promotion as commonly found in the sport business. This course is offered to students of Junior or Senior status.

SSP 440: SPORTS ECONOMICS

Credits 3
The purpose of this course is to explore the economics of sports business. Our focus is on professional football, but we will examine other aspects that lead to an understanding of sport and big-time college athletics as a business, including franchise profitability, competitive balance, facilities financing, revenue sharing, profit maximization, salary caps, and other topics.

SSP 445: DISTRIBUTION OF GAMES

Credits 3

The role of a publisher in the games industry is to ensure that a game can get in front of its audience successfully. To do that, a publisher must consider a variety of distribution strategies and channels. This course will teach you how publishers promote games and bring them to market. By the end of this class, you will be able to plan a game’s launch and promotion. This online class features optional live sessions. 

SSP 450: SPORT MARKETING AND RESEARCH

Credits 3

The course investigates principles and processes in the use of sports for marketing purposes and the use of marketing in sports, with emphasis on research and development, sport promotion, sport sponsorship, advertising, merchandising, and distribution. This course is offered to students of Junior or Senior status.

SSP 460: THE OLYMPICS

Credits 3
This course is a cultural and historical overview of the ancient Olympic Games and the modern Olympic Movement, with an emphasis on the history of the modern games. No prerequisite.

SSP 480: SPORT STUDIES INTERNSHIP

Credits 6 12

This course is an extensive internship for senior level Sport Studies majors that requires 600 hours of work experience in a sport-related setting geared to the individual student's career goals. Applications for internship should be submitted to and approved by the Sport Studies Program Coordinator during the semester prior to actual enrollment in SSP 480.

SSP 498: SPECIAL TOPICS IN SPORT STUDIES

Credits 3
This course, which explores a topic of contemporary interest to the study of health and physical education, is offered as needed to students with junior-senior standing.

SSP 499: INDEPENDENT STUDY IN SSP

Credits 3
This course, which involves supervised research on a selected topic, is offered as needed to students with junior-senior standing. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.