Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services (BS) Leisure Planning & Management

A foundation course that introduces the student to the profession of leisure services. Emphasis is placed on recreation in the student's life, the development of the profession, the community leisure service system and careers in recreation, parks and leisure services.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-09

Through interactive classroom assignments, students develop expertise in planning, leading and evaluating a recreational experience. Foundations of leadership, group dynamics and motivation are also included.

Prerequisites: none

This course will explore research design with emphasis related to the areas of recreation, parks, and leisure sciences. Basic overview of research methodologies commonly utilized in leisure sciences and approaches to RPLS research will be explored through review of original research. Students will be required to produce and revise scientific writing with specific focus on presenting material to audiences in the RPLS field. Team-based problem centered research questions will be developed and investigated using methodology with current RPLS-related issues.

Prerequisites: none

This course introduces students to basic management and planning techniques for a wide variety of in-door and out-door recreation facilities.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge, skills, and tools to effectively implement technology in recreation. Students will have the opportunity to explore practical applications of technological in recreation. The objective of this class is to introduce the student to the variety of ways computers and other technologies are used in everyday recreation management.

Prerequisites: none

The emphasis of this course is on the program planning process-from creating the idea through evaluation of the program-and how it fits into the agency profile. Various formats such as leisure learning, tournaments, trips and outings, and special events are highlighted for a variety of leisure service agencies.

Prerequisites: none

This course investigates basic economic principles behind managing finances and budgets in recreation, sport and tourism settings. Particular attention will be applied to revenue generation, specifically via grant writing, and creating and managing budgets.

Prerequisites: none

This course investigates legislative and budgetary processes utilized in the public, non-profit, and private sectors of the leisure services profession.

Prerequisites: none

This course explores the philosophical and theoretical foundations that intersect and connect our multifaceted discipline of recreation, parks and leisure services. Specifically, the relationships between nature, conservation, wilderness, social equity, disability, commodification of leisure, and recreation experiences will be explored from the vantage point of a variety of influential scholars. Students will critically analyze the material and discuss potential implications for the profession.

Prerequisites: none

The Practicum, which is one full semester of professional work experience, is completed at the end of the student's course work and requires 560 hours of service at a Department approved agency where the student works full-time for 14 weeks. Written permission is required from the student's advisor, one semester in advance.

Prerequisites: Completion of major coursework with a 2.5 GPA in the major courses.

This course exposes the parks and recreation major to basic outdoor skills. The camping movement in America is discussed as well as progressional planning strategies for outdoor recreation.

Prerequisites: none

Students will be introduced to various methods and skills used to design and deliver interpretive programs and materials to various audiences. Students will also apply the philosophies, concepts, theories and practical skills necessary for implementing effective interpretive programs.

Prerequisites: none

This course is a survey of commercial recreation and tourism that examines the basic types of commercial recreation and tourism providers, some basic trends in commercial recreation and the social, economic and environmental impacts of commercial recreation and tourism.

Prerequisites: none

Students will learn about and gain experience with assessment as it is practiced in therapeutic recreation settings. The course focuses on the basics of assessment, the four most frequently utilized information gathering techniques, and commonly used assessment instruments.

Prerequisites: RPLS 274

This course details the Therapeutic Recreation process: assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation in relation to individual treatment programs in Therapeutic Recreation Service. Emphasis is on interpreting assessment data, writing measurable goals and objectives, implementing an actual program and documenting program results in terms currently used in human service settings.

Prerequisites: RPLS 274 

This course is designed to teach a wide variety of interventions and facilitation techniques used in therapeutic recreation programs to give the student knowledge, practice and ability in the implementation of leisure and recreation programs for persons with special needs.

Prerequisites: RPLS 274 and RPLS 447W 

Traces the history of public lands in the United States, their acquisition and disposal. Congressional charges to executive agencies managing national lands and state and local government responsibilities for managing nonfederal public lands. Attention is given to international oceanic resources and how the international community will manage these resources.

Prerequisites: none

This course examines major topics of social science research aimed at learning the preferences, attitudes, behaviors, experiences and benefits of visitors to outdoor recreation areas.

Prerequisites: none

This course introduces students to some basic natural resource and visitor management techniques in outdoor recreation settings. Topics such as interpretation and environmental education, visitor management and ecosystem management are among those discussed.

Prerequisites: none

Traces the history of the parks movement in the United States, selected legislation establishing parks and the enactment of funding legislation. The importance of public participation, planning and political strategies are stressed.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to develop the student's ability to function as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and practice critical thinking, writing and oral skills related to treatment decisions, ethical issues, professional issues, and health care delivery systems.

Prerequisites: none

This course is designed to be an overview of Therapeutic Recreation Services in a variety of human service settings with emphasis on the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of leisure and recreation programs performed by therapeutic recreation specialists serving persons with physical, mental, emotional or social limitations.

Prerequisites: none

Diverse Cultures: Purple

A broad survey course that is concerned with game and non-game wildlife species. Habitat is stressed throughout the course as a necessity for maintaining a species. Funding of wildlife programs and changing attitudes of the public are concerns throughout this course.

Prerequisites: none

Goal Areas: GE-10

This course introduces students to special event planning, development, budgeting, promotion and evaluation. The use, recruitment, evaluation and recognition of volunteers as well as fund raising strategies are discussed and employed.

Prerequisites: RPLS 377