Faculty Syllabus

It is important that you attend the first class!

The first class day should be considered the most important day. Please be there on time ready to participate.

Grading is based on a combination of Attendance and Attitude.

Attendance means 100% of scheduled classes, present for the entire class. The first class day should be considered the most important day. Please be there on time ready to participate. 

The first 3 class absences result in a drop of one letter grade (eg. from an A to a B). Each subsequent 2 class absences result in the drop of another letter grade (eg. from B to C). 3 or more absences before the calendar halfway point of a semester will result in the student being dropped from the class. 7 or more absences before the final drop date for a semester will also result in the student being dropped from the class.

Missed classes can be made up by certain means, including attendance at other class offerings by the Professor, with advance arrangements made clear in all cases.

Research and writing assignments are possible means of making up absences only in special cases and only by specific arrangement with the Professor, but limited to only 50% of the absence total, since this class is primarily activity-based.

Attitude means to stay positive at all times when challenged by activities and situations in class.

A short demonstration  of techniques taught in the class will be required as an end of semester examination. Similar demonstrations may also be requested at appropriate times during the semester.

It is highly recommended that the student brings a notebook to each class and acquires general and specific information every day. A well kept, meaningful notebook may be accepted as a means of making up 1 standard class absence, at the sole discretion of the Professor.

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Recommended readings:

The Spirit of Aikido, Kisshomaru Ueshiba

Ki in Daily Life, Koichi Tohei

Tao Te Ching, Lao Tsu (this may be found and downloaded from several web based sites).

Aikido is a martial art originating in Japan.

The word Aikido may be actively translated as "The Way of Harmony with the Flow".

Aikido is based on high level traditional martial forms emphasizing sword, stick and empty handed arts. There is no competition in Aikido, but rather an emphasis on understanding and integrating the principles of the Art through the collaborative practice of its techniques.

In modern times, Aikido is practiced for many purposes, including both the acquisition of martial techniques themselves and the consequent development of awareness of self and surroundings. Thus Aikido is practiced simultaneously as a martial art technical system and a martial art "Way" (Tao in Chinese, or Do in Japanese).

By the end of the class students will have knowledge, experience and/or ability in one or more of the following areas:

1) Classroom and martial art safety

2) Basic falling and rolling

3) Stretching and breathing techniques

4) Paired coordination exercises

5) Simple Bokken (wooden sword) and/or Jo (50-54" staff) exercises

6) Paired Aikido techniques to vary by semester

7) Knowledge, skills and abilities that enhance and complement Aikido