PHIN 1121: MARTIAL ARTS & SELF DEFENSE (TR 5:30-6:45; AB 1.

318)
Syllabus; spring 2010
Instructor: John Bell (214) 244-2439 Email: John@jbdirect.net

Text: Nakayama M: “Best Karate, vol. I: Comprehensive”; Kodansha Intl Ltd. (Through
Harper & Row Publishers), New York, NY; latest edition; ISBN 0-87011-317-8.

GRADING POLICY
The full range of grades (A-F) will be used as an assessment of the student's performance. For
students who do not desire a letter grade, you may elect to designate this course as a
Pass/Fail course during registration or changing to that option at the first part of the
semester.

Grading will be based on the following:

1. Midterm 25% of total grade

2. Attendance and class participation 25% of total grade
3. Final 50% of total grade

Please note: As this course is a Martial Arts Course, attitude is very important. A poor attitude
toward the course and/or other students will have a negative impact on your final grade.

Each student is allowed a total of 2 absences throughout the semester. Any additional absences
need to be made up (discuss with instructor of class), or it will result in a deduction of 10
points (approx 1/2 of a letter grade) for each absence from his/her cumulative semester score.

The midterm is a written test based on instructions up to the time of the midterm. For the final
examination, the student is required to perform a pre-designated set of martial arts techniques in
front of the course instructor/s. These techniques will have been covered extensively during the
semester. The final examination grade is based on the proficiency by which the student performs
these techniques, as defined by his/her level of confidence and technical skill.

Students will not be required to make up class if it is cancelled due to Inclement Weather.

Please Note: A significant amount of time in class is spent working with partners. You will
pair up with each and every person in class executing punches, kicks and blocks. As such,
you must exhibit a certain amount of respect, maturity and discipline in class for your
safety and the safety of your classmates.

12/1/09
 PHIN 1121: MARTIAL ARTS & SELF DEFENSE (TR 5:30-6:45; AB 1.318)
Syllabus; spring 2010

Date Subject Area of Study

Overview
Jan 12 History and terminology of traditional karate
Lecture
Stance I Front stance: fundamentals of execution
Jan 14, 19 Blocking I Low blocks: fundamentals of execution
Punching I Stepping punch: fundamentals of execution
Jan 21, 26 Punching II Reverse punch: fundamentals of execution
Blocking II Rising block: fundamentals of execution
Jan 28,
Blocking III Mid-level blocks: fundamentals of execution
Feb 2
Stance II Back stance: fundamentals of execution
Feb 4, 9
Knife hand block: fundamentals of execution
Feb 11, 16 Blocking IV
Review of Stance, Punching & Blocking
Application of hand Utilization of body dynamics for punching
Feb 18, 23
Techniques I and blocking
Application of hand
Feb 25, Distance and timing of execution
techniques II
Mar 2 Front snapping kick: fundamentals of execution
Intro to Kicking
Mar 4, 9 Kicking II Front snapping kick: fundamentals of execution
Stance II Side stance: fundamentals of execution
Mar 11
Kicking II Side snapping kick: fundamentals of execution
Written examination on martial arts principals and
Spring Break
Mar 16, 18 terminology (To be handed out on March 12 and
(Midterm)
returned on March 23)
Kicking III Side thrust kick: fundamentals of execution
Mar 23, 25
Kata (Form) I Heian Shodan, sequence
Mar 30, Blocking V Defense against kicking
Apr 1 Kata II Heian Shodan, sequence
Heian Shodan, sequence
Apr 6, 8 Kata III
Kata, Basics & Heian Shodan, body dynamics
Apr 13, 15
Partner work
Kata, Basics & Heian Shodan, tempo
Apr 20, 22
Partner work
Apr, 27, 29 Review Refining Technique and Semester Review
Practical examination based on performance of
May 6th 5:00 Final Examination
Kata, basics and applications

This syllabus is a general outline for the course and may be adjusted as necessary during the
semester.

12/1/09