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Sport Studies

Program Codes: SPTST
Minor

Industry experts contend that sport is an influencing factor in our interpersonal relationships, our health and wellbeing, and even the choices we make as consumers. The interdisciplinary minor in Sport Studies is a 7-course, 21 credit minor that uniquely complements nearly every major at Mercyhurst. Students take a broad array of courses centered on sport, health and exercise from a variety of relevant fields. Offered by the departments of Psychology, Sports Medicine and Business. The minor is open to all students pursuing any major.

Program Outcomes:
  • To understand how sports impact a wide range of fields and disciplines.
  • To become acquainted with the value of and contributions of sport in these fields, as well as in everyday life.
  • To broaden the scope of one’s thinking through exposure to other disciplines.

Required Courses

SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
Course Code:
PSYC 235
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ Odd Years
Course Description:

This course examines the application of psychological principles to sports and to athletes of all levels. Topics include: performance enhancement (i.e, mental imagery, self-talk), promoting well-being (i.e., the "recreational athlete"), psychopathology in sport and exercise (i.e., eating disorders), working with special populations (i.e., children, elite athletes, college athletes), and education and training for a career in sport psychology (i.e., graduate training, relevant work experience).

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PSYC 235
SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
3
INTRO TO SPORT INDUSTRY
Course Code:
SBM 100
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
Sport has grown and spread throughout the world and has developed into a complex, extensive and highly distinct structure and organizational process. This course will explore the many components of Sport Business Management that are present in this academic field. This class will bridge these two areas together in such a way that the student will understand clearly what the Sport Business Industry is all about. Sport Business is far more than people liking sport. 3 credits.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
SBM 100
INTRO TO SPORT INDUSTRY
3
SPORT IN SOCIETY
Course Code:
SBM 410
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
A comprehensive overview of the issues impacting sport throughout history and its impact on society. The status of acceptance of who can play will help students develop a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the role of individuals and organizations based on gender, race and ability. Prerequisite: Junior standing, SBM 100. 3 credits.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:
SMKT-102
x
SBM 410
SPORT IN SOCIETY
3
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Course Code:
SOC 108
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:

This course will familarize students with concepts and principles of development pertaining to physical, cognitive, emotional and social development across the lifespan. The course discusses how the multiple domains of development interact with contextual factors to influence developmental outcomes and individual differences from birth to late adulthood.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
SOC 108
HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
3

Electives - Choose three (3) from the following:

SPORTS JOURNALISM
Course Code:
COM 254
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Odd Years
Course Description:
This course will explore the ever-changing world of sports journalism and boadcasting. The course will examine how technology continues to revolutionize the sports media industry and the numerous outlets carrying that information. Students will be introduced to various pieces of journalism equipment and will master usage through "hands on" experience. Not only will they discover how print, radio, televiion and social media differ in sports journalism, but how they are intertwined.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
COM 254
SPORTS JOURNALISM
3
INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION
Course Code:
FNUT 131
Course Group(s):
HM ELECTIVES & CONCENTRATION COURSES
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
FNUT 131 is designed for students who are not health science majors and focuses on consumer issues related to foods and nutrition. In discussing the role of nutrients in health promotion and disease prevention, the course material includes critical information which will help consumers sort out nutrition advice, concepts, principles and strategies which will enable consumers to personalize their food choices and answer questions that people often ask, i.e., vegetarianism, diets for athletes, "good" foods and "bad" foods, safety of food supply and fad diets.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
FNUT 131
INTRODUCTION TO NUTRITION
3
HISTORY OF SPORTS IN AMERICA
Course Code:
HIS 233
Course Group(s):
AMERICAN HISTORY COURSES, CONTEXTS AND SYSTEMS
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
This course explores the significance of sport in American History, broadly examining the development of sports in American society, from the colonial period to the present. Students will study how unorganized athletic activities were transformed into mass spectator sports at the collegiate and professional level. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ways in which sports reflected and informed issues of race, class, gender, ethnicity and politics.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
HIS 233
HISTORY OF SPORTS IN AMERICA
3
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
Course Code:
PSYC 225
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION, NEUROSCIENCE ELECTIVES
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course focuses on the relationship and interaction of the mind and body. That is, how psychological functioning relates to illness and disease; treatment and outcome; and recovery and cure. In addition, the student will be introduced to the impact of age, gender and ethnicity on the availability of, use of, and access to health care. The relationship of stress and lifestyle on the immune system, wellness and disease will be discussed. The psychological and physical interaction of some of today's major health issues such as eating, smoking, drinking, cancer and heart disease are presented with a discussion of treatment and outcome. Also, lifetime accommodation to chronic illness/disease based on psychological adjustment is reviewed. Other topics include: response to terminal illness, adjustment to trauma and the current industrialization of health care.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PSYC 225
HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
3
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Course Code:
PSYC 231
Course Group(s):
ANTHROPOLOGY/ARCHAEOLOGY COGNATE ELECTIVES, HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course examines the social foundations of human thoughts, feelings, and behavior by addressing the following aspects of social life: (a) social influence; (b) social roles and public behavior; (c) inferences about other people; and (d) interpersonal relations and groups. Among the topics to be considered are: the influence of public behavior on social norms, persuasion, impression management, social emotions, judgment of responsibility and character, interpersonal attraction, aggression, altruism, group dynamics, and inter-group conflict. The course will concentrate on the level of analysis of the individual, but will include sociological and evolutionary perspectives where appropriate.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PSYC 231
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
3
LEARNING & MOTIVATION
Course Code:
PSYC 236
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION, NEUROSCIENCE ELECTIVES
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:

This course provides an overview on the behavioral and neurobiological bases of learning, motivation and memory. Lessons are conveyed through discussion of clinical studies on amnesia and other abnormalities with humans, as well as through discussion of experimental results obtained by behavior analytic, anatomical, electrophysiological and biochemical techniques using non-human models.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PSYC 236
LEARNING & MOTIVATION
3
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
Course Code:
PSYC 281
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ Even Years
Course Description:

This course introduces the major themes underpinning the behavioral approach to constructing healthy behavior repertoires. In addition to considering methods of behavioral assessment, the course surveys a variety of treatment modalities, including contingency management, token economies, exposure therapies, modeling, cognitive behavioral therapies, and acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions. Ethical principles as well as applications to medical disorders and to community problems are also considered.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PSYC 281
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
3
FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Course Code:
PUBH 101
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

Public health is both a discipline and a perspective on human health, with an emphasis on the health of populations and groups rather than on individual patients. This focus on serving the needs of populations and emphasis on prevention over traditional medicine approaches presents economic, political and ethical challenges to public health workers and researchers. Public health requires a unique skill set that pulls from statistics, demography and biology to the social sciences and public policy. This course will focus on the core areas of public health practice including chronic disease prevention, transmission of infectious diseases, health promotion, disease-related research and environmental health. 

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PUBH 101
FOUNDATIONS OF PUBLIC HEALTH
3
HEALTH EDUCATION
Course Code:
PUBH 109
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

A critical role of public health is to promote and transform the health of populations. During this course, theories and models that explain health behaviors and outcomes are described, and successes and failures of past and present health promotion initiatives are discussed. Students learn the ethical, philosophical, theoretical and practical reasons for improving the health of people and their communities as well as the key elements of planning and implementing effective health promotion programs. Opportunities for applying health education and promotion methods cross settings and sectors of communities. Careers and educational pathways for health educators are also reviewed. 

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PUBH 109
HEALTH EDUCATION
3
LEGAL & ETHICAL ISSUES IN SPORT
Course Code:
SBM 220
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

The course provides practitioners the tools necessary to survive in the legal and ethical framework of the sport industry. Sport managers will establish a foundation of the legal aspects ranging from risk management, gender equity, and antitrust law. Basic concepts of ethics and morality will be discussed to assist in developing an ethical perspective of sport managers.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
SBM 220
LEGAL & ETHICAL ISSUES IN SPORT
3
PERSONAL HEALTH SCIENCE
Course Code:
SPMD 155
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
A multifaceted view of health/wellness including cardiovascular fitness, resistance training, flexibility, nutrition, body composition, stress management and other contemporary health care issues will be researched and discussed. You will demonstrate an understanding of related theory by researching, writing, participating in group discussions and debates, performing relevant laboratory projects, relating information in exams, quizzes and assignments. Ultimately, you will be able to promote a healthier lifestyle for yourself and members of the community including the general layperson, active individual and the organized athlete. Sports Medicine majors only. 3 credits
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
SPMD 155
PERSONAL HEALTH SCIENCE
3
NUTRITION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Course Code:
SPMD 263
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
The functions and sources of nutrients in maintaining health and performance are explored throughout the life cycle. Students will be expected to interpret current nutrition information, conduct nutrition analyses, and develop counseling techniques necessary to assist clients in maintaining and improving general health and performance.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 22.5
Prerequisites:
CHEM-101, CHEM-102 OR CHEM-121, CHEM-122
x
SPMD 263
NUTRITION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
3
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