Academic Catalogs

KIN A129: T'ai Chi Chih

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/08/2021
Top Code 083500 - Physical Education
Units .5-2 Total Units 
Hours 18-72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 4.5-18; Lab Hours 13.5-54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 7 Life Skills, Lifelong Learning, and Self-Development 7B Activity (OE2)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU E2 Activity Course (E2)

Course Description

The study and practice of Tai Chi Chih, a newly developed system of the Qigong discipline based upon ancient principles. It consists of 20 movement patterns designed to generate, circulate and harmonize internal energy flows for health enhancement. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC: Credit Limitation: Any or all of these ATHL, DANC, KIN, MARA, PE Activity courses combined: maximum credit, 4 units.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Participate in solo and group performances of T'ai Chi Chih.
  2. Explain how the T'ai Chi Chih movements and breathing promote health and healing.
  3. Describe personal growth in the awareness of and experience with the chi.

Course Objectives

  • 1. Detail the history of T?ai Chi Chih, its origins and relevance to the Western culture.
  • 2. Explain the philosophy of T?ai Chi Chih, including specific therapeutic benefits associated with its practice.
  • 3. Perform T'ai Chi Chih movement patterns and selected Qigong exercises appropriate to performance level.
  • 4. Demonstrate the ancient principles of yin/yang in reference to the practice of T'ai Chi Chih and selected Qigong exercises.
  • 5. Apply selected T?ai Chi Chih techniques for stress reduction and health enhancement.
  • 6. Distinguish between selected Qigong disciples.
  • 7. Recall terms used in T?ai Chi Chih and define each term correctly.
  • 8. Analyze their own movement patterns in the mirror and make self corrections.

Lecture Content

T'ai Chi Chih is a system of Qigong discipline developed by Justine Stone in 1974. The 20 movement patterns are particularly suited to a Western audience.A. Orientationi) Overview of classii) Course objectivesiii) Student goalsiv) Course requirements and procedures B. Activity - Warm-up Qigong exercises preparing the body for T'ai Chi Chih will be presented each session.i) Brief history and philosophyii) Therapeutic benefitsiii) Yin/Yang of Leg Motioniv) Demonstration and instruction in movements 1 through 10 v) Qigong (the study of chi)vi) Explanation of terminologyvii) Mirror Workviii) Performance of all ten movementsix) Written exam on terminologyx) Video: T'ai Chi Chih (last 10 movements)C. Evaluationi) Demonstration of first ten movementsii) Written assignments; written self-assessment

Lab Content

Listed under course content

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Demonstration of techniques          Lecture          Discussion          Instructor feedback          Work with mirrored walls for feedback on movements          Paired student activities          Video feedback

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately 1 hour a week reading from instructor handouts or self directed readings related to the topic. Assigned from textbook, articles

Writing Assignments

The student will write:               Two article critiques               A self-assessment paper               Journal entries for home practice session

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend approximately 3 hours a week completing conditioning programs outside of class meetings. Two article critiques, self-assessment paper

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

The student will write:               Two article critiques               A self-assessment paper

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

The student will write:               Two article critiques               A self-assessment paper               Journal entries for home practice session

Eligible Disciplines

Physical education: Master's degree in physical education, exercise science, education with an emphasis in physical education, kinesiology, physiology of exercise, or adaptive physical education, OR bachelor's degree in any of the above AND master's degree in any life science, dance, physiology, health education, recreation administration, or physical therapy OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Stone, J. T'ai Chi Chih - Joy Through Movement, ed. Boston: Good Karma Publishing, 2012