REC 3330 Outdoor Recreation (Fall 2006)
3 Credits
9:30-10:45 Tuesdays, Thursdays
SpHC 212
Instructor: Dr. Julie (Athman) Ernst
Office: Engr 241
Office Hours: M-F 1:00 – 2:00 (or by appointment)
Phone: 726-6761
Email:
Course Email:
Course Web URL: www.d.umn.edu/~jernst (then select REC 3330)
Course Description:
This course examines natural resource-based providers of outdoor recreation, including government agencies and private organizations, with a focus on providers in Northeastern Minnesota. Course content includes the meaning, significance, and history of outdoor recreation; the agencies, resources, and programs that provide outdoor recreation and education opportunities; and the issues and trends facing outdoor recreation. While some outdoor recreation management concepts are discussed, this is not a management course, nor is this an outdoor recreation/physical skills course.
Course Goals:
*Learning objectives are provided for each course topic within the schedule below.
1. Knowledge of fundamental outdoor recreation concepts
2. Understanding of the federal, state, and private providers of natural resource-based outdoor recreation
3. Familiarity with the facilities, organizations, and agencies that provide outdoor recreation opportunities in Northeastern Minnesota
4. Awareness of the issues and trends facing the field of outdoor recreation
5. Familiarity with career opportunities associated with the natural resource-based providers of outdoor recreation and education
6. Development of information research and communication skills
7. Participation in outdoor recreation management through a service-learning project
Textbook:
The required text is Natural Resources and the Informed Citizen, by Steve Dennis (2001, Sagamore Publishing). It is available in the UMD bookstore.
Course Schedule:
Date Day Topic Assignment Due
9/5 / Tu / Course IntroductionOverview of Outdoor Recreation
Objectives:
1. Define leisure, recreation, outdoor recreation.
2. Define resource-oriented, intermediate, and user-oriented recreation.
3. List the four phases of the total recreation experience.
4. List and describe the benefits of outdoor recreation.
5. Describe current trends relating to and factors influencing outdoor recreation use.
6. Explain how demands on natural resources influence the ownership and management of our natural resources and the management of outdoor recreation opportunities.
7. Summarize the historical development of outdoor recreation in the context of the evolution of a land ethic and the natural resource management eras.
9/7 / Th / Definitions and Concepts
9/12 / Tu / Benefits of Outdoor Recreation
*Meet in classroom (we will be walking to Bagley) / Bring materials and dress for outdoor recreation at Bagley Nature Area
*Last day to contact Dave Luckstein for trail project
9/14 / Th / Benefits of Outdoor Recreation (cont.)
Benefits-Based Management
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum / Assigned reading;
Benefits of OR Reflection Paper due (15 points)
9/19 / Tu / Current Trends in Outdoor Recreation
Demographic Correlates
Participation Studies
Assignment of Conservation Visionary / Assigned reading; be prepared to discuss
9/21 / Th / Trail Project (details coming)
*Class meeting 9:00-noon
9/26 / Tu / Natural Resource Management Eras / Ch. 4;
Conservation Visionaries Oral Report due (10 points)
9/28 / Th / Natural Resource Management Eras (cont.)
10/3 / Tu / Exam 1 (covering class notes, Ch. 1-4, assigned readings)
Providers of Natural Resource-Based Outdoor Recreation
Objectives:
1. Compare and contrast outdoor recreation opportunities, visitor/resource management strategies, and career opportunities across the various federal, state, and municipal providers of outdoor recreation.
2. List local examples of federal, state, and municipal outdoor recreation providers.
10/5 / Th / Municipal Involvement in Outdoor Recreation:
Visit a Duluth city park of your choice to complete City Park Assignment and Reading on your own
*Class not meeting
10/10
10/12 / Tu, Th / Participation in Outdoor Program events; on own time anytime before the end of the semester (see OP calendar)
*Class not meeting (Julie presenting at NAAEE conference)
10/17 / Tu / County Involvement in Outdoor Recreation:
Tentative Guest Speaker from St. Louis County / City Park Visit Assignment due (10 pts)
Ch. 13
10/19 / Th / County Involvement (cont.)
*Tentative trip to Boulder Lake ELC (tentatively 9:30 – 11:15) / Ch. 13
10/24 / Tu / State Government Involvement in Outdoor Recreation: DNR/State Parks
Tentative Guest Speaker Tettegouche Park Manager Phil Leversedge / Ch. 12
10/26 / Th / State Parks: Visit to Jay Cooke State Park
*Class 9:30 – Noon; meeting place and trip details provided prior / Ch. 12
10/31 / Tu / National Park Service / National Park Assignment due (5 points)
Topic for final paper (option 2) due
11/2 / Th / National Park Service (cont.) / Ch. 7
11/7 / Tu / U.S. Forest Service / Ch. 8
11/9 / Th / U.S. Forest Service (cont.):
Tentative Guest Speaker from Superior National Forest / Ch. 8
11/14 / Tu / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Ch. 10
11/16 / Th / Bureau of Land Management / Ch. 9
BLM Site Assignment due (5 points)
11/21 / Tu / National Wilderness Preservation System / Assigned reading; be prepared to discuss
11/23 / Th / Thanksgiving
*Class not meeting
11/28 / Tu / Citizens Group Involvement in Outdoor Recreation
Tentative guest speaker: Judy Gibbs, Superior Hiking Trail Association / Ch. 14
11/30 / Th / Private and Commercial Providers
Tentative Guest Speaker
12/5 / Tu / Exam 2 (30 points)
Outdoor Recreation Issues
Objectives:
1. Describe in depth one current issue relating to outdoor recreation.
12/7 / Th / Student Presentations / 2 OP Reflections due (5 points each)
Final Presentation/
Paper Due (50 points)
12/12 / Tu / Student Presentations
12/14 / Th / Student Presentations / “
12/19
(Finals) / Tu / Student Presentations / “
Expectations:
1. Attendance is required for this course. Three unexcused absences results in the drop of one full grade. This means if you have three unexcused absences and had been earning an A, you will receive a B for your final grade. If you miss six times, you would receive a C instead of an A. (Excused absences include pre-approved, sanctioned University functions or pre-approved, professional related events, severe illnesses with a doctor/hospital note, or other absences approved in advance by the instructor.) For all unexcused absences, It is your responsibility to contact another student for the material covered and/or assignments given in class when absent. Students with perfect attendance (no unexcused or excused absences) will receive 5 extra credit points toward your final grade.
2. Be prepared for class. Have your readings completed before you come to class.
3. Actively participate in class. By actively participating, you will get the most out of this course and help others learn from your experiences.
4. Respect the formal learning environment. This includes arriving and leaving on time, making sure cell phones are off, and being open to the opinions and ideas of others. This also includes professional presentation of assignments and abiding by the University’s academic conduct policies.
5. Ask for assistance. We each have different learning needs and preferences; if something is unclear or if you need alternative opportunities to learn the course topics, please ask! Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class, are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptations of methods, materials or testing procedures may be made as required to provide for more equitable participation.
6. While field experiences are an essential component to our outdoor education program and this course, we must acknowledge the inherent risk of field program participation. Leaving campus presents risk management concerns including transportation and field site based dangers. In order to avoid problems and strengthen our risk management awareness, it is each student’s responsibility to consider personal and group safety while in the field and to act in a safe and responsible manner. Any questions, concerns, specific medical information, etc. should be directed to the instructor as a part of a shared effort to ensure a safe and optimal learning environment.
Grading:
Final grades will be awarded as follows:
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A 93-100%
A- 90-92%
B+ 87-89%
B 83-86%
B- 80-82%
C+ 77-79%
C 73-76%
C- 70-72%
D+ 67-69%
D 60-66%
F 0-59%
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*3 unexcused absences result in a full grade drop
*Perfect attendance earns 5 extra points
Assignments:
*Descriptions of the following assignments, along with scoring rubrics, will be given in class and posted on the course website.
*Late assignments (turned in after the assigned class period) lose half of the total points.
*Assignment grades will be posted on eGradebook (see link from course website).
15 points Benefits of OR Paper
10 points Conservation Visionaries Oral Report
10 points City Parks Visit Assignment
5 points National Park Assignment
5 points BLM Site Assignment
10 points 2 OP Participation and Reflections (5 points each)
30 points Exam 1
30 points Exam 2
50 points Final Assignment
Final Assignment (50 points):
Option 1: Trail Work on the Lester Park Trails Improvement Project
1. This option involves at least 16 hours doing trail construction/maintenance with Americorps Worker, Dave Luckstein, who is working with the City of Duluth to improve Lester Park trails. Dave generally works one evening a week, between 6-8 pm. However, he potentially is able to line up other work times and potentially other work locations. Hours need to be completed before the ground freezes (probably early to mid-November).
2. Contact Dave by Tues. Sept. 12 to express your interest and to coordinate schedules. He can be reached by phone (724-1014) or email (). Please let him know you are a student in REC 3330.
3. Complete your 16 hours. You will need to turn in a log of hours (date, number of hours, Dave’s signature) with your final paper in order to receive credit for these hours. You will lose points if you complete fewer than 16 hours. While you are working on the trails, you are expected to be aware of potential inherent risks involved with trail work and the field location and to act in a manner that supports a safe learning experience for yourself and others. You are expected to follow all safety precautions and directions relating to proper use of equipment, proper clothing, etc. that the trail crew leader gives.
4. Write a 3-5 page reflection paper (summarizing what you did, what you learned, what you’ll take away from the experience, how it relates to class, etc.).
5. Present your reflection to the class (no ppt slides needed), summarizing your experience, what you did and where, what you learned about recreation/trail management, what you’ll take away, etc.; your presentation will be about 5 minutes
* If you have completed a portion of your hours and have concerns relating to your completion of these hours, please speak with me about it. We will discuss the option of switching to the issue paper option and completing that in its entirety.
Option 2: Current Issue Paper and PowerPoint Presentation
1. You will choose a current issue in outdoor recreation (such as snowmobile or jet ski use in national parks, drug trafficking in Sequoia/Kings Canyon; bear poaching in the Smokies; community conflict in the BWCAW, certification of Eco-tourism providers, mass transportation in national parks, roadless areas in national forests, etc.). You’ll let me know your topic by Oct. 31st so I can ensure it is an outdoor recreation issue, not an environmental issue.
2. You will be researching the issue and summarizing it in a 5-10 page paper (typed, double-spaced). Your paper should include an introduction to the issue, a thorough description of both sides of the issue, and your views on the issue. You should also list your citations/references (in APA style). I’ll be grading based on the following rubric:
1 point / 3 points / 5 pointsLength / Under 5 pages / Over 10 pages / 5-10 pages
Description of the Issue / Description missing or unclear and/or incomplete; issue is not an outdoor recreation issue; issue is described without citations/references (unclear where the information is from) / Issue described; references are cited, but cited inconsistently or not according to a professional citation style / Thorough description of the issue; both sides presented (when appropriate); references are cited correctly
Your Views on the Issue / Your view is missing or unclear / Your views are stated, lack supporting evidence for your position / Views are clearly stated and backed by arguments or evidence supporting your position; rationale for your views stated
Writing Mechanics / Not proofread; many spelling/grammatical errors; lack of citation of references / Several spelling/
grammatical errors / Very few or no errors
Writing Style / Unclear, disorganized, hard to follow / Adequately written and organized, clear, reasonable easy to follow / Well written and very organized, clear, easy to follow, interesting
3. You will be sharing your paper in class through a 10 minute oral presentation (using PowerPoint). Bring your PowerPoint presentation to class on a CD or flashdrive (I don’t have a floppy or zip drive); or you can bring in your laptop. You’ll be graded based on the following rubric:
1 point / 3 points / 5 pointsLength / Less than 10 minutes / Over 15 minutes / Between 10 and 15 minutes
Content / Minimal or questionable information; information is irrelevant; lack of depth / Adequate, accurate, and relevant information / Ample and in depth information; highly credible and relevant information
Inclusion of Topic Areas / Missing majority of topic areas / Most of the topic areas covered / All topic areas are addressed
Use of Technology / PowerPoint not used or distracts from the presentation / PowerPoint slides support presentation / PowerPoint slides support and enhance presentation
Delivery / Difficult to hold audience’s attention; disorganized; verbal communication detracted from the presentation; lack of professionalism / Somewhat interesting; well-organized; adequate verbal communication / Engaging or creative; highly organized; highly effective verbal communication; Professional delivery
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