Recreation Administration

Recreation Administration Course Descriptions

REC 500 Administration Practicum in Outdoor Experiences (2 semester hours)
A 10-day resident course prior to the beginning of the fall term. Organization and administrative preparation for resident experiences in outdoor and environmental activities. Students will participate as outdoor instructors in the program in areas where they have developed skills as leaders. Emphasis will be placed upon program planning, teaching, leading, supervising, and administering activities.
Prerequisites: Special registration; must pass a medical examination. Additional room, board, and materials fee is required.

REC 502 Adventure Education Ethics and Methods (3 semester hours)
(cross-listed with EDU502)
This course is designed to introduce the student to adventure education. It will include selected activities, adventure skills, philosophy, programming ethics and methods, and safety management. Activities may include: initiatives, backpacking, rock climbing, cross country skiing, orienteering, cycling, and others.
No prerequisites

REC 510 Commercial Recreation Management (3 semester hours)
Study of commercial recreation as a major component of the leisure service delivery system. Analysis of development potential of different types of recreation enterprises including resources, location, risks, sources of financing, pricing, managerial requirements, marketing and sources of technical assistance.
No prerequisites

REC 542 Philosophy & Methods of Outdoor Education Methods (3 semester hours)
(Cross list with EDU542)
An investigation of effective teaching techniques and administrative programming practices for outdoor experiential education. This course will emphasize curricula and activities appropriate for use in extending the academic classroom to the outdoors. The content is also beneficial to leisure professionals educating the public about the outdoor environment during their visits to nature centers and forest preserves.
No prerequisites

REC 543 Programs in Outdoor Education (3 semester hours)
(Cross list with EDU543)
Growth and significance of the organized outdoor education movement program objectives, organization, philosophy and clientele. Selected national and international programs will be analyzed.
No prerequisites

REC 600 Review of the Professional Literature in Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
Designed to make the student familiar with the historical and current research literature in Recreation and Leisure Services Administration. Students will critique several national and international leaders in the field and do a significant review of literature on a current topic. This course enables students to be skilled consumers of research.
No prerequisites

REC 601 Outdoor Leisure Programming (3 semester hours)
An examination of outdoor leisure behavior, programming practices, and leadership issues in leisure and environmental resources settings. The link between outdoor recreation and outdoor experiential educational programs will be discussed. Students will plan, direct, and participate in outdoor leisure programming experiences for children.
No prerequisites

REC 603 Leisure: Philosophy and Behavior in Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
An examination of leisure, recreation, and play from philosophical, psychological, sociological, and social psychology perspectives. This course explores leisure behavior utilizing theory and empirical research. Students will formulate or refine their own professional philosophy of leisure service delivery.
No prerequisites

REC 604 Advanced Therapeutic Recreation Principles (3 semester hours)
Advanced concepts of systematic program design, comprehensive program planning, the treatment team approach and documentation as it related to quality assurance.
No prerequisites

REC 606 Leisure Education (3 semester hours)
Examination of the theories and practices of leisure education and leisure counseling; the application of leisure life-style assessments for various populations; the examination of individual and social dynamics influencing leisure choices; and the impact of those choices on individual life-styles, quality of life and society as a whole.
No prerequisites

REC 607 Issues of Professional Practice in Therapeutic Recreation (3 semester hours)
The study of existing issues of professional practice in therapeutic recreation. These will include definition, philosophy, professionalism, legislation, credentialing, ethics, quality assurance, and professional organizations.
No prerequisites

REC 608 Leisure and Aging (3 semester hours)
Focus is on theoretical and practical issues encountered in serving older adults in recreation settings. Topics addressed include attitudes towards aging, normal and abnormal aging, aging and the mental health issues, dementia, death and dying, the importance of leisure, programming, program delivery systems and innovative design.
No prerequisites

REC 610 Seminar in Therapeutic Recreation (3 semester hours)
Theoretical and practical issues encountered in serving low incidence, special population groups. Topics addressed include dysfunctional families, adult survivors of abuse and incest, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, the homeless, corrections, eating disorders, etc. Implications for therapeutic recreation services will be discussed.
No prerequisites

REC 634 Political, Economic and Legal Aspects of Recreation (3 semester hours)
Legislative and legal aspects of recreation and leisure services. Related governmental processes at the local, state, and national levels. Economic factors and forces which influence recreation planning and programming.
No prerequisites

REC 635 Administration of Recreation & Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
Administration relations, practices, organization, supervision, financing, and budgeting in community recreation, municipal park, and other recreation agency services.
No prerequisites

REC 637 Facilities Management (3 semester hours)
A systems approach to park and recreation facility maintenance procedures. This approach includes scheduling, prioritizing, routine maintenance, emergency procedures, selection of supplies, equipment and materials, overall control of the maintenance process and evaluative techniques. Special attention is given to surface materials, turf management, aesthetic versus functional aspects, preventative maintenance, selection of materials for the playground equipment, safety and prevention of vandalism.
No prerequisites

REC 640 Camp/Resident Center Administration (3 semester hours)
Growth, significance, and current status of organized outdoor experiences utilizing camp/resident centers. Developing operating philosophy and an organizational system. Application to participant and staff organization, program supervisory processes and administrative structure.
No prerequisites

REC 667 Strategic Planning for Recreation Services (3 semester hours)
Provides students with an understanding of the strategic planning process and its role in the management and administration of leisure service agencies and businesses. Students will design a strategic planning project during the course.
No prerequisites

REC 671 Survey of Research Methods in Recreation Administration (3 semester hours)
Introduction to the scientific method, problem development, statement of hypotheses, research designs, instrumentation, data collection procedures, analysis of data and conclusions involved in completing research studies.
Prerequisites: REC600 or consent of instructor

REC 673 Research Project Development (3 semester hours)
Students work on developing a research project. Course involves a significant review of the research literature and a conceptual plan for a project.
Prerequisites: REC671 and permission of instructor and department chairperson

REC 674 Research Project Completion (3 semester hours)
Students implement their research project at an agency or in another setting. Course involves a significant evaluation of the project and recommendations.
Prerequisites: REC671, REC673 and permission of the instructor and department chairperson.

REC 675 Recreation Program Evaluation & Needs Assessment (2 semester hours)
Theory of evaluation applied to personnel and programs. Development and application of evaluation tools applied to leisure service delivery systems.
No prerequisites

REC 677 Recreation Administration Internship (3 semester hours)
Student completes a 200-hour internship at a professional agency in leisure and/or environmental resources setting. Consent of supervising instructor and Recreation Department Chairperson required prior to registration.

REC 678 Recreation Administration Internship (6 semester hours)
Student completes a 400-hour internship at a professional agency in leisure and/or environmental resources setting. Consent of supervising instructor and Recreation Department Chairperson required prior to registration.

REC 681 Selected Topics in Recreation and Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
A workshop or course on a special topic in recreation and leisure services.
Prerequisite: Permission of Instructor and Department Chair

REC 683 Directed Study in Recreation and Leisure Services (3 semester hours)
Under the direction of a faculty member, the student completes an independent study of a selected topic.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor and Department Chair

REC 699 Thesis (6 semester hours)
Students develop and conduct an original research study and complete a written thesis based on the research.
Prerequisites: REC671 and permission of committee and program chairperson.