Coherence in the General Education Experience through the Inclusion of Physical Education

Shawna Young¹, Erin Hall¹, Heather Deaner¹, Jim Riggs²
(1. Department of Kinesiology, California State University Stanislaus, USA;
2. Department of Advanced Studies in Education, California State University Stanislaus, USA)

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to share how physical education (PE) offers a unique place of interdisciplinary connections, contributing to coherence in the general education (GE) experience, and to demonstrate the overall value of PE, serving as a rationale for its inclusion in a GE program. A definition of GE is provided, followed by an historical overview of GE in the United States, identifying predominant GE curricular models. An example of how coherence in the GE experience can be obtained through the inclusion of physical education is provided through the examination of a GE model at a California public university.

Key words: general education, coherence, physical education