The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
Department of Health & Human Performance
 PINGTON
KINE 1118

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

Pington 1118 is a one-semester course meeting twice a week for one hour. It is a one credit hour activity course. This course is designed for all students at all skill levels. More specifically, it is designed so the students will learn:

  1. Basic rules and strategies for both singles and doubles.
  2. The fundamental strokes:
    a. clear
    b. smash
    c. drop
    d. serve

FACULTY:

Name:  Jack Loff 
Office:  REK 2.618
Phone:  882-6509 
Office Hours:  Mondays  1:30 to 4:30 PM
Tuesdays  12:00 to 1:00 PM
Thursdays  12:00 to 1:00 PM
Friday Morning by appointment only
Web Site: https://blue.utb.edu/jloff
e-Mail: jack.loff@utb.edu

EVALUATION:

1/3 of final grade is based on attendance, 5 points off for each absence.
1/3 of final grade is based on skill grade, skill test grade plus bonus points for tournament wins.
1/3 of final grade is based on written test score.

** This course may be taken under the Pass/Fail option. **

See Pington Grading Procedure [or click on "GRADING" on the left]

QUIZZES:

The written quiz will be taken online on Blackboard.

TEXTBOOK:

Pington by Lemons & Walton
[If the book is not available, you may find the information on Pington under "Notes" on the left.]

PREREQUISITES:

None

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Skill is developed by doing; therefore, attendance is REQUIRED. Each absence will result in a five point reduction in your participation grade. After 6 absences you will be placed on probation and the next absence will result in an F. If tardiness is habitual, every three will count as one absence.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Students will be required to dress out for class:
    a. Tennis shoes (none marking soles) with socks.
    b. Shorts or loose fitting warm-ups and a shirt.
  2. Paddles and birds will be furnished.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA):

Students with disabilities, including learning disabilities, who wish to request academic adjustments in this class should notify the Disability Services office early in the semester so that the appropriate accommodations may be made. In accordance with federal law, a student requesting academic adjustments must provide documentation of his/her disability to the Disability Services Counselor. For more information, visit Disability Services in the Lightner Center, call (956) 882-7374 or e-mail steve.wilder@utb.edu .

BEEPERS & CELLULAR PHONE POLICY:

It is inappropriate to have beepers and cellular phones active during class and will not be tolerated. Failure to observe this policy may result in being removed from the class.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON REK USAGE:

1.    All students MUST bring their ID card with them to class.

2.    Lockers: Students may furnish their own lock which may be placed on any basket.  At the end of the day you must remove everything from your locker or the lock will be cut off and the clothing donated to charity. All valuables must be locked up - the Health & Human Performance Department assumes no responsibility for them.

3.    Towels: Students may check out a towel during and after class.

4.    If students wish to use the courts before and after class, they must reserve the court at the sign in desk.

SAFETY FACTORS:

In any movement activity there is always the possibility of injury. In order to minimize this possibility, your instructor will take every precaution to provide a safe learning environment and teach proper biomechanical form. Personal safety may be enhanced by observing the following guidelines:

  1. Physical exams are recommended to all who:
    a. are 35 years old or older
    b. are extremely over weight
    c. have had a recent serious injury
    d. suffer abnormal pain while exercising
  2. Do not lay birds, clothing, keys or any article on or around the courts.
  3. When walking behind or near the courts, be alert and maintain a proper distance away from the players to avoid being hit with a paddle or being run into by a player.
  4. The student is encouraged to do proper warm-up and stretching exercises before beginning to play to prevent muscle strains and/or sprains.
  5. If injured or not feeling well, inform the instructor so proper care can be taken.
  6. Please inform the instructor if you are taking any medicines that might effect your participation.
  7. Wearing safety equipment for physical exercise or sport participation is at your discretion.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP):

UTB/TSC monitors academic progress every fall and spring semester to identify those students who are experiencing difficulty with their courses.  Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is based upon two components: GPA of 2.0 or higher and successful course completion of at least 70% of course work attempted.  Students remain in good standing with the university and Financial Aid when both criteria are met.  Students who do not maintain these required minimum standards will be placed on probation or suspension as appropriate.  The complete Satisfactory Academic Progress policy and the Undergraduate Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid policy can be found in the current Undergraduate Catalog.  For more information, please visit http://www.utb.edu/vpaa/sap/Pages/Home.aspx .

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY:

Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities.  Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion  from the university.  Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student, or the attempt to commit such acts.  Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.  (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations)

All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students.  Do not allow your peers to pressure you to cheat.  Your grade, academic standing and personal reputation are at stake.  For a brief informative video on cheating and its consequences click on "Academic Integrity at UTB/TSC" at this link.  http://www.utb.edu/sa/judicial/Pages/academicintegrity.aspx

STUDENT'S ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Students are expected to be diligent in their studies and attend class regularly and on time.  Students are responsible for all class work and assignments.  On recommendation of the instructor concerned and with the approval of the Dean, students may, at any time, be dropped from courses.  This may result in a "W" or "F" on the student's permanent record.

EMERGENCY POLICY STATEMENT:

In compliance with the Emergency UTB/TSC Academic Continuity Program, academic courses, partially or entirely, will be made available on the MyUTBTSC Blackboard course management system.  This allows faculty members and students to continue their teaching and learning via MyUTBTSC Blackboard http://myutbtsc.blackboard.com , in case the university shuts down as a result of a hurricane or any other natural disaster.

The university will use MyUTBTSC Blackboard to post announcements notifying faculty members and students of their responsibilities as a hurricane approaches our region.  If the university is forced to shut down, faculty will notify their students using Blackboard on how to proceed with their course(s).  To receive credit for a course, it is the student's responsibility to complete all the requirements for that course.  Failure to access course materials once reasonably possible can result in a reduction of your overall grade in the class.

To facilitate the completion of classes, most or all of the communication between students and the institution, the instructor, and fellow classmates will take place using the features in your MyUTBTSC Blackboard and UTB email system.  Therefore, all students must use Scorpion Online to provide a current email address.  Students may update their email address by following the link titled "Validate your e-Mail Account" in MyUTBTSC Blackboard Portal.  In the event of a disaster that disrupts normal operations, all students and faculty must make every effort to access an internet-enabled computer as often as possible to continue the learning process.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM:

UTB/TSC has implemented an emergency communication system to provide students, faculty, staff and visitors with important information in the event of an impending threat.  This system allows UTB/TSC to send time sensitive notifications via telephones, computers, indoor speakers in classrooms and laboratories, outside speakers, e-mail messages, and announcements on the University's home page: www.utb.edu .  The notification methods used will vary depending on the level of the emergency.  Messages will communicate the current situation and provide guidance for what action needs to be taken immediately.

©; The University of Texas at Brownsville & Texas Southmost College
For comments or more information, contact Jack Loff.