In response to student requests, Northern Michigan University is offering a new self-defense course with a curriculum applicable to both men and women. The special topics course HP295 Self-Defense will be held from 6-9:20 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning March 13.
NMU began offering the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) course again last fall and there are two sections this semester. However, that curriculum is exclusive to women. Without a certified instructor to teach the RAD curriculum specific to men as a separate course, NMU developed a self-defense option that is open to anyone.
“It was recognized that this was not serving the whole population of our campus and we needed to remedy the situation,” said Liz Wuorinen, associate dean/director of NMU's School of Health and Human Performance.
Wuorinen collaborated with Public Safety Director Mike Bath in the creation of this RAD course, with input from Dale Kapla, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Programming and Faculty Affairs, and Janet Koski, Director of Equal Opportunity.
The one-credit self-defense course will involve experiential training and guest speakers who will provide additional insight.