Intermediate KarateCOURSE SYLLABUS AND STUDY GUIDE

I. Course Title: Intermediate Karate. Class time: TBA. Class Location: TBA

II. Course Textbook: The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

III. Course Instructors: Sensei Grant Nichols, Sensei Brian Memoli

IV. Campus Phone: NA, E-mail: grant@verticalfist.com Office Hours: TBA

V. Course Fees: Will include Bo and Ranking

VI. Course Description: This class requires Beginning Karate as a prerequisite. This course will be an intermediate class in Isshin-Ryu Karate. As such it shall focus on the Isshin-Ryu kata, basics, and sparring, while looking at the concepts of multiple strikes, grappling and uprooting. This course is a Karate course as a result, students will be expected to conduct themselves per standard Dojo etiquette (showing proper respect for higher belts, bowing to get on and off the floor, speaking up at the appropriate times, etc.)

Class attendance and academic misconduct policies of the College will be followed. These are given

in the student handbook.

VII. Course Objectives: As a result of complete participation in the class (coming to class on time,

attending all classes, working hard during class, and practicing outside of class), the students should

be able to:

Perform all the requirements of previous courses

Perform Wansu Kata with bunkai.

Perform Basic Bo techniques.

Perform basic throws.

Perform 6 self-defense techniques.

Grapple at a beginner level.

VIII. Course Units: Major units with expected outcomes are given below.

No. Topics Expected outcomes*

1 Basic Review/Preparedness Assessment

2. Stances Ability to perform zenkutsu stance and all previous stances.

3. Bo Basics Ability to perform basic blocks and strikes with a bo.

4. Uprooting Demonstrate an understanding of the principle of unbalancing an opponent through good body mechanics thus allowing for lifts and throws .

5. Kicks Ability to execute a hook kick and multiple kicks.

6. Grappling Ability to grapple at a begging level showing good control with proper technique.

7. Second Phase Punching Ability to perform an Isshin-Ryu second phase punch.

8. Self-Defense Ability to perform techniques to counter full nelson, forearm choke, rear bear hug with arms free or pinned, hammer lock, and a knife thrust with attention placed on pressure points and soft targets. Ability to defend against 2 attackers.

9. Kata Ability to perform Wansu Kata and Bunkai and perform Sanchin Kata.

*The students are expected to know the listed expected outcomes.

IX. Course evaluation: Each student is expected to make a good grade in the course.

A. Midterm examination worth 100 points.

B. Final examination worth 100 points.

C. Class participation worth 200 points.

D. Grading: The following procedure will be used to determine grades:

ACTIVITY TOTAL POINTS SCORED POINTS

1. Midterm exam 100

2. Final exam 100

3. Class Participation 200

TOTAL POINTS 400

TOTAL POINTS SCORED = Sum of points accumulated via exams and class participation.

PERCENT POINTS SCORED = Total points scored times 100 divided by total points.

E. Scale of grading

The grade is "A" if % points scored is 90-100.

The grade is "B" if % points scored is 80-89.

The grade is "C" if % points scored is 70-79.

The grade is "D" if % points scored is 60-69.

The grade is "F" if % points scored is below 60.

By following this method, the students can determine their own grade at any time during the semester. If this process is not clear, please ask the instructor to clarify the process.

X. Study Guide:

The course is information-intensive. It will require a significant input of time, certain amount of pure memorization, and consistent study habits. For many students, the bottom line is their grade, but there are no shortcuts to a good grade. It is one of life's little truths that the more time you spend in serious study, the more you will learn, and improvement in your grade will automatically follow. The following steps are designed to help students in their study habits:

Read the assigned material before coming to class.

While in class, listen and watch carefully, ask questions if you do not understand a technique or concept.

Study the handouts/text outside of class. Make your own notes from the handouts/text. If something in the handout/text is not clear, ask about it in the next class.

Write questions and answers on index cards to quiz yourself periodically.

Try to study with a variety of your classmates.

If you are having a difficulty, please come and talk with the instructor. DO NOT WAIT TILL THE END OF THE SEMESTER TO SEE THE INSTRUCTOR.

NOTE: This course is a three hour course; therefore, each student should spend at least 2 hours per week outside the class for each one hour of class period. As a result, you should spend 6 hours per week working on this material in addition to the scheduled class time. If each student follows this guideline, he should be able to make a good grade in the course.

XI. Over the course of the semester, students will have the option of ranking for belts. Belt ranking is separate from and has no impact on the grade given in the course. However, belt ranking is tied to class participation, which is used in determining your final class grade. During this semester, if you work hard, you may be allowed to test for purple, 1^st brown, and 2^nd brown belt. However, belt ranking is at the discretion of the instructor. Therefore, do not expect that you will be allowed to rank simply because you have completed the minimum requirements for the class.