BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (RECREATION AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT)
PROGRAMME
COURSE DESCRIPTION
LEVEL 100
HRS 100: Management of Fitness and Health Clubs
Programming of fitness activities; program development and assessment. The planning and
budgeting process. Revenue generation; promotions and advertising; fund raising;
membership retention; equipment/ supplies management- purchase and control; public and
media relations; risk management; facilities and event management; operational trends and
business ethics. Field visits to sports and fitness centers.
HRS 101: Recreation, Sport and Environment
Interrelationship between leisure, recreation and sport services and the conservation of land,
water, flora and fauna resources. Forestry principles, wildlife management, watershed
protection and soil conservation vis-avis the impact of recreation and sports. Land
development and recreation and sports needs in developing nations. The impact of selected
recreation and sports activities on the environment. Impact of space and place on sports
participation and performance. Identification and location of recreation and sports activities
and regions. Changing landscape of recreation and sport activities. Spatial organization of
recreation and sports. Sport and sustainable development. Visits and case studies to selected
areas with an environmental impact.
HRS 102: Introduction to Management in Recreation and Sport
Nature and characteristics of, administration and management in recreation and sport.
Management theories, principles and functions (planning, organizing, directing, controlling,
monitoring and evaluation), Management and Decision making, conflict resolution in
recreation and sport. Quality management principles, safety management and loss prevention,
performance appraisal, communication process. Delegation of responsibility and supervision.
Practical case studies and models.
HRS 103: Theory and Practice in Leisure, Recreation and Sport
Theories of leisure, recreation and play. Categories of leisure and recreation: outdoor and
indoor; passive and active; arts and crafts, music, social-cultural activities, etc. Factors
influencing leisure and recreation participation. Value of leisure and recreation activities to
individual and society. Leisure and recreation services provision and practices in private and
public sectors. Community recreation trends. Field visits to outdoor leisure, recreation and
sports facilities.
HRS 104: Management of Recreation and Sport Equipment
Determining need for equipment and supplies. Procedures for selecting, purchasing and
storing of recreation and sport equipments. Recreation and sport equipment inventory:
checking, issuing and retrieval procedures. Caring servicing and repair of equipments.
Justification for improvising of equipment and improvisation procedures: Advantages and
disadvantages of improvisation.
HRS 105: Foundations of Recreation and Sports
Philosophical Foundations of leisure, physical activity, sport, recreation, exercise, play and
physical education. Analysis of different paradigms and their impact to the development of
ludic physical activity. Historical foundations, growth and development of ludic physical
activity in selected societies. Such as ancient civilizations and contemporary societies such as
Ancient Greece, Romans, and pre and colonial, and post independence Kenya. Role of
historical knowledge. Contribution of personalities and institutions and landmark events to
the growth and development of specific sports.
HES 100: First Aid and Safety Education
First Aid: - philosophy, principles and practices underlying assistance or treatment for sudden
injury or illness before the arrival of professional medical assistance. Safety consideration at
home, Institution and in the community. HIV/AIDS and disaster management. Practical /
laboratory emphasis: evaluation, assessment, handling, taping, wrapping, strapping, support
and evacuation.
HES 102: Functional Human Anatomy
Anatomical reference position and directional terms; Relative Position of Body Parts,
Regions of the body, Planes and Sections of the Body, Cavities of the body and Membranes,
Organization of the human body: Chemical, Organelle, Cell, Tissue, Organ, Organ system,
Organism; Structure of integumentary system. Nervous, Muscular and Skeletal systems.
Structure of Neuro-muscular junction and muscle contraction. Practical laboratory emphasis:
Identification, handling and manipulation of human models and musculoskeletal structures of
the body.
HES 106: Callisthenics and Weight Training
Callisthenics and use of body weight exercises to develop muscular endurance and muscular
strength. Weight training: free weights and machine weights. Safety tips, benefits and
training accessories. Specific exercises for developing muscular endurance, muscular
strength, training routines and techniques.
HPE 101: Hockey, Netball and Soccer (to harmonise synopsis)
History and development of hockey, netball and soccer. Coaching points, drills, lead up and
conditioned games. Tactics, team formations and strategies. Rules of each game and
practical officiating. Application of the skills in game situations and team formations.
Marking, preparation and maintenance of facilities for each of the games. Application and
modification of these games for recreation purposes. Organisation of competitions.
Conditioning programmes. Practical involvement and field trips.
HPE 103: Basketball, Handball and Volleyball
History and development of each game. Basic skills. Drills, rules, lead up and conditioning
games. Markings, layout and dimensions of facilities and equipment for each sport.
Application and modification of these games for recreation purposes. Organisation of
competitions. Conditioning programmes. Practical involvement and field trips.
HPE 104: Psychology of Physical Education, Recreation and Sports (to harmonise
synopsis and title)
Basic concepts of psychology related to learning and coaching of sports skills. The role of
psychology in PE, sports and recreation. Psychomotor learning in relation to mental
development. Theories of personality and self image in choice and participation. Effects of
anxiety, stress and motivation on performance. Aggression and its effects on contemporary
sports. Practical application of psychology to winning and counselling in sports.
LEVEL 200
HRS 200: Legal and Ethical Issues in Recreation and Sport
Introduction to sources of law, Law as it relates to sports, the working of law in sports and
society, law and freedom, social control through law. Tort law and negligence, duty of care,
Employers and occupiers liability, product liability, contract formation, international laws
governing sports, tort defenses and risk assumption, safety issues in sports, recreation,
exercise and fitness technology, substance abuse, anti-doping, Kenyan employment law and
sexual harassment, gender equity; insurance against sport injuries. Professional values and
ethics in recreation and sport.
HRS 201:Public Relations in Recreation and Sport
Nature, scope and functions of PR, theories in PR, function and philosophy of PR in sport
and recreation, qualities of PR practitioners, PR strategy and tactics, careers in PR, publics in
PR practice, planning of PR programmes, ethics of PR, media and tools of PR, media,
community and government relations, the practice of PR, sponsorships as a form of PR,
budget and budgeting in PR, financial PR, corporate communication management in PRpractice-press release, planning and executing press conference, crisis and issues
management, speech communication
HRS 202: Event Management in Recreation and Sport
Long and short term planning for sports events, purpose and objectives. Budgeting, resource
mobilization and forecasting, event scheduling, tournament organisation and facilitation.
Event program preparation, design and hospitality, event monitoring and evaluation;
Tournament organisation and management; marketing and sponsorship. Legal, ethical,
logistical and security, media relations associated with events. Case studies and field visits to
firms and events.
HRS 203: Management of Parks and Game Reserves
Historical perspectives of Park movement. Planning and designing of day-use and overnightuse park facilities. Administration of national parks/reserves, marine parks/reserves and
municipal parks. Value, provision, activities, legal basis, policies, codes of parks and game
reserves (with focus on Kenya). Maintenance and conservation procedures and practices.
Issues, challenges and trends in management of national parks, game reserves and marine
parks. Case studies and field visits.
HRS 204: Sport Tourism
Definition of concept, scope and trends. Different categories and spectrum of sport tourism.
History of sport tourism. Models and theories. Conceptualizing a sport tourist. Relation
between sport, tourism, leisure and recreation. Motivation factors and impact of sport
tourism. sports tourism activities and events. Economic, socio-cultural, environmental and
health impacts on sports tourism. Administrative and Policy issues, vision 2030 and role of
government. Challenges and issues. Business development in inland, coastal, urban and rural
settings for sport tourism. Field visitation to sport tourism facilities, enterprises and/ areas
and events.
HRS 205: Sociology of Recreation and Sport
Introduction to sociological concepts in sports. Sociological theories of functional approach,
conflict theory, critical theory and symbolic interactions. Concepts of culture and
socialization, economy, religion, mass media and politics. Sports in society, equality and
discrimination; personal development and social mobility through sports. Contemporary and
emerging social issues in sports. Application of sociological principles in team sport settings.
HRS 206: Management of Community Recreation and Sport
Organization and operation of community recreation and sport programmes linking to
development of human, social, economic, health, peace and environmental sustainability.
Minimization of poverty and HIV/AIDs using sport programs. Involvement and role of
volunteers, NGOs, CBOs and international donor partners. Administration of youth
recreation and sport models of community recreation/sport in development of rural, slum and
urban setting. Field visitations to selected community recreation and sport clubs.
HRS 207: Aerobics and Dance
History of aerobics, responsibilities of an aerobics instructor, anatomical, physiological
rationale underlying aerobics and conditioning, components of an aerobics session, impact
and intensity in aerobics, aerobics modes, choreography, cueing and communication. Origin
and development of various selected traditional and modern dances. Dance forms, elements
and value. Analysis of selected traditional and contemporary dances. Dance, music, costumes
and choreography. Dance adjudication and practical performance.
HES 200: Physical Fitness and Evaluation
Philosophy, aims and values of fitness testing. Physical fitness concepts. Test, measurement
and evaluation. Evaluation and analysis of fitness, lifestyle and health. Planning a personal
training program. Designing a personal activity program. Executing a personal activity
program. Evaluating a personal activity program. Analysis of various laboratory and field
tests. Muscle testing. Practical/laboratory emphasis: administering of laboratory and field
tests of varying populations and muscle testing.
HES 206: Exercise and Sports for the Special Populations
Understanding the nature of the disabling conditions. Effects of the disability on the
acquisition of sportive skills and performance. Fitness testing and individualized exercise,
evaluation of performance and sports programming for the challenged persons.
Contraindications to exercise. Special Olympics and paraplegic sports.
HPE 200: Human Physiology
The physiological principles of the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and
digestive systems. Fundamentals of muscle excitation and contraction, muscle fibres, motor
activity and energy-supplying processes. Circulatory system and work; oxygen and carbon
dioxide transport, transport of heat, nutrients and metabolic end-products, blood flow and
muscle supply. Cardiovascular system; adjustment of circulatory system to work, respiration
and gas exchange. CO2 dissociation and buffering, aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Osmo-regulation and excretion: kidney and skin, nervous system, hormonal control of salt
and water balance. Practical emphasis
HPE 201 Athletics I, Softball and Swimming I
Athletics I: History of athletics in Kenya and world-wide. Track events, cross country,
sprints, relays, hurdling, middle and long distance races. Race walking. safety measures.
Markings, layout and dimensions of track and equipment.
Softball: History and development. Basic skills, drills, rules, lead up and conditioning games.
Markings, layout and dimensions of facilities and equipment.
Swimming I: History, hygiene and safety in swimming. Watermanship, Front crawl and
Breaststroke. Treading. Dimensions and layout of swimming pool. Pool care.
LEVEL 300
Core Units
HCU 300; Introduction to Research Methods
(to harmonize synopsis across SAHS dept)
The nature of research. Methods of research in physical education, sport, exercise and dance.
Research design: identifying and stating a problem, formulating hypothesis.The research
process. Introduction to hypothesis techniques. Types of research, Descriptive, Experimental
and qualitative research. Application of basic statistical techniques: t-tests, simple analysis of
variance. Nonparametric techniques, Reliability, Internal and external validity. Writing
research report.
HCU 301; Introductory Statistics
(to harmonize synopsis across SAHS dept)
HRS 300: Recreation and Sport Programming
Programme process, theories and models. Programming factors: client needs expertise,
facilities, equipment and seasons. Creative and situated activity systems. Benefits-based
program development. Development of an agencies mission, strategic directions and service
products. Program planning, design, monitoring and evaluation; Programming events and
scheduling of fixtures. Case studies and field visits of selected leisure and recreation
programmes in corporate, community, commercial and education settings.
HRS 301: Business of Recreation and Sport
Business factors in management of sport/recreation enterprises. Forms of businesses,
Guidelines for sport/recreation business. Needs assessment, location of sport business; Office
management and documentation process, business communication, Role of human, capital,
technology, infrastructure and time resources in sport/ recreation business. Sources of
business finance, company law, contract, law of property, sale of goods. Information
management systems. E-commerce and the internet. Current influences on recreation/sport
enterprises. Case studies and visits to successful sport/recreation enterprises
HRS 302: Human Resource Management in Recreation and Sport
Role of the human factor in Recreation and Sports service delivery. Application of human
resources strategy in leisure, recreation and sports programmes with specific reference to
staff needs analysis, recruitment and selection, orientation, deployment, goal-setting,
supervision, assessment, training. Delegation: importance and principles. Staff compensation
and motivation, Human relations and Labour relations management in recreation and sport
industry. Conflicts, collective bargaining, safety and health. Models and case studies.
HRS 303: Recreation and Sports Marketing
Principles of marketing. Nature of Recreation and sport Marketing. Sports consumer
behaviour. Strategies of marketing recreation and sports. promotional mix. Sponsorship,
Promotional licensing: Marketing mix. Market segmentation. Product issues and mix
decisions. Current trends in recreation and sports marketing. Marketing research in
recreation and sport. Selling and presentation and skills, Building customer loyalty, Customer
relationship management; social marketing; Product and brand development. Field /visits and
case analysis of sport/ recreation enterprises and events. Practical marketing programmes in
Kenya.
HES 301: Exercise and Wellness
Exercise, fitness standards and its components. Major problems associated with sedentary
life-style and their risk factors in the world today, non-communicable diseases, their social
and economic impact. Physical Fitness. Benefits and significance of participating in lifetime
fitness programs. The role of fitness in the prevention and treatment of debilitating
conditions. Exercise and rehabilitation Motivation and behaviour modification techniques to
enhance participation.
HES 302: Application of Computer Technology in Recreation & Sport
Introduction to computer technologies and their influence on recreation and sport.
Application of software for design of memos, reports, creation of newsletters, publicity
material, web pages, creation and analysis of budgets spreadsheets, design of presentations,
evaluation of software applications used specifically in the recreation and sports field (e.g.
SPSS, Nutri-survey, Open Fitness, Dartfish, Runtastic, Sports scheduling software, Facilities
scheduling software, Fitness and wellness softwares, )
HES 312: Design and Improvisation of Sport Facilities & Equipment
Design elements and application to facilities. Principles and factors involved in design, use,
maintenance and repair of sport facilities and equipment. Field marking exercises for selected
sport and recreation facilities. Improvisation of sport equipment. Equipment and facility
sharing strategies. Field visits and assessment of field facilities.
Elective Units
HRS 305: Leadership in Recreation and Sport
Definition, nature and scope. Leadership and management (leaders versus managers).
Elements of leadership; situation, followers, leader and task. Leadership models and theories
with special reference to Path-goal, Fiedler, Hersey-Blanchard and Chelladurai
multidimensional models. Leadership competencies/abilities, traits and characteristics. Types
and patterns of leadership styles- transformational, participatory, servant, charismatic,
democratic, laisser-faire and their application to sport setting. Process of becoming a sport
leader in Kenya. Issues and trends in sport leadership.
HRS 307: Adherence in Exercise, Recreation and Sports
Philosophy of intervention adherence. Standard /norms in exercise and fitness, Determinants
of adherence in exercise. Barriers to exercise, sport and recreation adherence.
Multidisciplinary interventions in starting and maintenance of exercise, sport and recreation
programs. Exercise drop out - lapses and relapses. Role of counseling for adherence. Basic
principles, practices, theories and techniques of counselling in sport environments.
Behavioral prediction and behavior change in exercise, sport and recreation.
HRS 308: Operations Management in Recreation and Sport
Nature of recreation and sport services. Technology and its impact on services. Design,
management and development of services and delivery systems. Work measurement in
services Location Strategies, Operations, Layout and Human Resources Strategy Learning
Curves. Materials Requirement Planning. Aggregate Planning. Scheduling Management.
Maintenance and Reliability. Quality of service (Servqual) and the service encounter. Service
strategy and competitiveness, service positioning, customer care and service. Creating a
service culture. Achieving total customer satisfaction. Service process innovation. Practical
involvement, case studies and field visits to recreation/ sports enterprises and events.
HES 304: Nutrition and Sport Performance
Nutrition for exercise and health. Relationship between nutritional demands and physical
activity: caloric and fluid needs. Nutrition for health, exercise, recreation and sport for
various populations: meal planning and weight control. Fluid and electrolyte balance.
Vitamins, minerals and exercise. Nutrition and fitness assessment. Evaluating sport nutrition.
HES 313: Hydrodynamics and Aquatic Activities
Buoyancy and flotation. Resistance propulsion and their forces in aquatic skills. Aquatic
efficiency, speed and forces affecting velocity in water. Analysis of aquatic activities/skills;
water polo, diving and other selected water sports. Practical/laboratory emphasis.
HPE 309: Stress Management and Physical activity
Concepts, theories and models of stress as applied to physical activity. symptoms of stress.
Physical activity as a stressor and as a reliever. Reactions to stress, psychological,
physiological and behavioural. Effect on learning and the school environment. Other methods
of stress management
LEVEL 400
Core Units
HCU 400; Project Design, Monitoring and Evaluation
(to harmonize synopsis across SAHS dept)
HRS 400: Adventure Recreation and Training
Basic facilitation techniques, adventure trip organization, technical skills in outdoor
adventure leadership, organizational skills for outdoor adventure leaders, LNT philosophy,
group dynamics, adventure leadership and teambuilding, reflective processes in experiential
learning, ropes and course circuit training, jungle and plains expeditions, map reading,
wilderness medicine, day and night navigation, PRACTICAL involvement in five to fourteen
days outdoor pursuits TRIP .
HRS 401: Financial Management in Recreation and Sports
Scope and role of financial management. Sources of finance: long-term and short-term
sources. Aims and structure of the organisation. Tools of financial management.
Organisational appraisal techniques: net present value, internal rate of return, pay-back period
and accounting rate of return. Budgeting. Management of working capital: management of
cash, stock and debtors including short-term investment decisions. Financial accounting and
auditing.
HRS 403: Practicum
Three months internship: attachment to recreation and sport organizations such as sport
equipment manufacturing plants, sport facility construction firms, sport retail outlets, health,
fitness and sport clubs, stadia, sport community organizations, sections with recreation and
sport programs, physiotherapy centres, hospitals and other relevant organizations. Candidates
will be attached on a full-time basis and shall perform duties allocated by host organization.
HES 401: Research Project in Human Performance
Students in fourth year will undertake a research project in a selected area in recreation
management, or sports science. Research projects will involve the preparation, execution and
analysis of the research problem. The project must be conducted during the semester and the
results of the research presented in a seminar.
HPE 400: Test and Measurements in physical Activity
(to harmonize synopsis with HPE dept.)
Purpose of testing in physical activity. Criteria for selecting fitness tests. Administration
of selected tests on components of fitness. Methods of recording and processing data.
Elective Units
HRS 404: Recreation, Sport and Entertainment in Hospitality Industry
Role of recreation and sport in entertainment and hospitality industry. Organization and
management of hotel based entertainment, recreation and fitness clubs and resorts.
Hospitality services: catering procedures, entertainment, accommodation safety and security
of clients. Hotels amenity facilities and services. Attracting and handling of clients in hotel
settings. Roles of hotel manager and other technical staff. Ethical issues in hotel
management. Service, products and quality in the provision and management of recreation.
Role and operation of animators, fitness instructors and managers. Trends, issues and
challenges. Field visits and case studies.
HRS 405: Ageing and Human Performance
Epidemiology of ageing, ageing theories, effects of ageing on: immune function, respiratory
system, mental function, cardiovascular function, joints and skeletal system, muscular
system, diseases associated with ageing, diet, nutrition and antioxidants, ageing interventions,
role of exercise and sport in the modulating ageing process.
HRS 406: Professional Career Development in Recreation and Sport
Nature and scope of recreation and sport services. Characteristics of a discipline and a
profession. Professional development, ethics and code of conduct. Professionalism,
Professional ethics and codes: professional identity, status and role. Factors determining
career development in recreation and sport. Work ethics in recreation and sports . Selected
careers, competences and requirements in sport, leisure and recreation in Kenya and
worldwide. Networking and role of professional organisations. Volunteerism in recreation
and sports . Samples of selected careers, competences and requirement. Personal preparation
and presentation during Job interviews, job placement and advancement.
HRS 407: Organization Theory and Behaviour in Recreation and Sport
Organization structure, design, processes, types and theories in recreation and sport.
Application of organisation theories to the administration of recreation, leisure and sport
bodies. Differences, effectiveness and comparison of various organisation theories vis-avis
recreation, leisure and sport. National and Institutional recreation, leisure and sport
organisation in Kenya. Organization behaviour and theory. Effective leadership, power,
politics, conflict; and negotiation. Organisational culture and change management. Effective
communication and motivation of employees.
HRS 408: Recreation and Sports Production Management
Productivity and service performance measurement. Forecasting demand for services;
scheduling; service inventory systems and management; quality management; waiting lines;
work measurements; maintenance. Inventory Management and Just-in-Time Tactics.
Purchasing Management. Queuing and simulation. Total quality management. Statistical
Quality Control. Work measurement in services. Managing demand and supply in services.
Product strategy and Capacity planning. Field visits, models and case studies to recreation
and sport enterprises.
HRS 409: Public- Private partnership in Recreation and sport.
Distinction and linkages between Public and Private sectors. Role of leisure, recreation and
sport organizations in public and private sectors and vice-versa: personnel, facilities, policy
formulation and implementation, equipment, sponsorships, training, employment, corporate
services and community health. Involvement of volunteers, religious organisations, self-help
groups in leisure, recreation and sport services. Effect of national politics, economics, sociocultural and technological developments on leisure, recreation and sports services.
HRS 410: Strategic Management in Recreation and Sport Organizations
Concept and scope. Theories and models. Formulation of components; goals, vision, mission,
values, philosophy, strategies and tactics. Role of environmental scanning and Analysis
using SWOT and PESTLE. Strategic planning and implementation. Strategic planning
process and models. Development of a sample strategic plan. Action plans for recreation and
sport. Monitoring and evaluation. Contemporary issues in Kenya such as Vision 2030 and
sport strategic plans and policies. Field visitation to successful sport organizations.
ESS 405: Racket and Batting Games
History and development of any three of the following racket games; badminton, squash,
tennis, golf, and cricket. Equipment and facilities. Rules, regulations and etiquette.
Fundamental skills and techniques for each game such as: - service, forehand, volleys, lob,
smash, drop shot, hits, the catch and runs. Play formation such as Singles and doubles.
Training Drill, strategies and tactics. Design and implementation of training programs.
Practical officiating, marking and preparation of play areas. Field visits to local facilities and
events.