Development of a college beginning swimming course which possesses selected characteristics of humanistic education

The purpose of this study was to develop a beginning swimming course for college students which possessed selected characteristics of humanistic education. Development of the course consisted of constructing the course, teaching it, and evaluating the course. The course was designed utilizing the principles for curriculum construction developed by Tyler (1949) and expanded by Goodlad (1966). The following steps guided construction of the course: (1) identification of a philosophical position relative to humanistic education, physical education, and swimming, (2) identification of "big ideas" reflective of the philosophical position, and (3) construction of general objectives, specific objectives, exemplary learning experiences, and exemplary evaluation techniques all consistent with the philosophical position. The course was taught by the writer as a section of swimming for non-swimmers in The School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro during the spring semester, 1972. Ten female college students were enrolled in the class. The course met for 28 classes