COURSE SYLLABUS
College of Education
Department of Recreation, Tourism and Therapeutic Recreation
Winona State University
Course Number: RTTR 210 Course Name: Professional Development in RTTR
Semester Hours: 1 Frequency of Offering: Fall and Spring semesters
Prerequisites: Co-requisites of 203, 229, 239 OR 245
Grading: Grade Only
Course Applies to: All RTTR Majors
Instructor: Staff
1. CATALOG DESCRIPTION
Explores an array of professional opportunities through invited experts and experiential exercises. Prepares students for the profession by fulfilling volunteerism and professional organization requirements as well as the initial development of portfolios and resumes.
2. STATEMENT OF MAJOR FOCUS AND OBJECTIVES OF COURSE
Within the last 20 years the field of recreation, tourism and therapeutic recreation has “exploded” with an array of professional opportunities. With so many choices available to students, it is necessary to apprise students of all their professional options, provide them with tools to access these options and to allow them to network with people can influence their career choices. If this is done early enough in the RTTR major, students can plot a tenative career trajectory before undertaking the bulk of classes within the major.
1. To explore through invited speakers and internet exploration, the volunteer opportunities, associated professional organizations and academic requirements need by this field.
2. To start the process of professional documentation, through resume development and portfolio building, by working with the Career Services Office.
3. To engage in development opportunities by participating in university, local or state organizations related the field.
4. To gain networking experiences by attending meetings and/or conferences with related professionals and like-minded cohorts.
5. To understand the process and requirements for graduating with a degree from the R.T.T.R, at Winona State University.
3. COURSE OUTLINE
Unit One – Making the Most Out of RTTR
Guest Speaker – RTTR professor
· Academic options within the major and minor
· Tasks to complete the major – internships, practicums, volunteer work, professional affiliations
· Travel Study opportunities
Unit Two – Resume Workshop
Career Services Office
· Resume development
· Cover Letter Development
Unit Three – Professional Portfolio/Professional Affiliations Workshop
RTTR faculty member,
TRREC Club President
MRPA representative
Unit Four – Therapeutic Recreation – Community Settings
Guest Speaker – e.g. Rochester Parks and Recreation
Unit Five – Therapeutic Recreaiton – Residential Setting
Tour Bethany of La Crosse
Unit Six – Therapeutic Recreation – Clinical Setting
Guest Speaker – e.g. Mayo Clinic
Unit Seven - Public Parks and Recreation
Tour Winona Parks and Recreation Department
Unit Eight – Project Reviews
Sharing and peer review of:
· Portfolios
· Resumes
· Volunteer work
· Professional affiliation activities
Unit Nine – Commercial Recreation
Guest Speaker – e.g. Noah’s Ark
Unit Ten – Outdoor Recreation
Tour Redtail Outfitters
Unit Eleven – Outdoor Education
Guest Speaker – e.g. Eagle Bluff Environment Education Center
Unit Twelve – Travel and Tourism
Guest Speaker – Minnesota Department of Tourism
Unit Thirteen – Military Recreation
Guest Speaker - MWR of Fort McCoy
Unit Fourteen – Final Project Reviews
· Portfolios
· Resumes
· Volunteer work
· Professional affiliation activities
Unit Fifteen – Portfolio Presentations
5. BASIC INSTRUCTIONAL PLAN AND TEACHING METHODS UTILIZED
Field trips, internet research, guest speakers and project work are the primary teaching methods. Each student will also undertake a required number of volunteer hours and will be responsible for participating in the activities of a professional organization related to the field
6 COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND MEANS OF EVALUATION
Professional/Personal Portfolio
· The contents listed below are not the only items that can be included in your portfolio – it is your portfolio and it should sell your strengths as well as provide documentation for the things you claim on your resume.
· The order of the contents can be changed just as long as you address most of the suggested areas. While you may not have material or experiences (as yet) for all of these areas, you will eventually accumulate them … and update this portfolio in the class, Organization and Administration of recreation. This is just the start of your professional portfolio, BE CREATIVE!
· You may want to develop you portfolio around visual and verbal themes.
· Dividers and labelling are a necessity as are page protectors
· Visual themes may come in the way of certain colored paper, certain images/motifs, certain fonts and font sizes that are a reflection of you. Remember to make them consistent.
· Verbal themes may emanate from your talents poster, they may be quotes that are meaningful to you or they may be headings and subheadings that portray an image that you want.
· Use a three ring binder or something similar
CONTENT IDEAS
Coverage Page
Table of Contents
Pertinent Education
Personal/Professional Philosophy of TR (or Recreation/Tourism)
Resume
Awards/Recognitions/Certifications
Letters of Reference (academic/character/work)
Exhibits from Work Related Experiences
Exhibits from Volunteer Related Experiences
University Projects that show your professional preparation
Professional Affiliations
Conferences Attended
Experiences that have shaped you/are important professionally or personally
TR or Recreation Advocacy
Resume
A completed resume and cover letter aimed applying for a job with one of the guest speakers. Documented evidence that they have been reviewed and approved by a resume specialist from Career Services.
Volunteer Hours
Twenty documented hours with a recreation, tourism or therapeutic recreation organization, over no less that three weeks.
Professional Affiliation
Documented membership in a university, local, state or national organization and documented evidence of at least three activities with that organization or an affiliate.
Grading Scale
Pass/ No credit – requires evidence of meeting the standards of each of the above requirements
7. TEXTBOOK:
None
B. RATIONALE
1. Statement Of Major Focus And Objectives Of The Course
Within the last 20 years the field of recreation, tourism and therapeutic recreation has “exploded” into a wide array of professional opportunities. With so many choices available to students, it is necessary to apprise students of all their professional options, provide them with tools to access those options and to allow them opportunities to network with people in those options. If this is done early enough in the RTTR major, students can plot a tenative career trajectory before undertaking the bulk of classes in the major.
1. To explore through invited speakers and internet exploration, the professional opportunities, associated organizations and academic requirements for gaining a foothold in each segment of the field
2. To start the process of professional documentation, through resume development and portfolio building, by working with the Career Services office.
3. To engage in development opportunities by belonging to and participating in university, local or state organizations related the field.
4. To gain networking experiences by attending meetings o/and conferences with professional and like-minded cohorts.
5. To understand the process and requirements for graduating with a degree from the R.T.T.R, at Winona State University.
2. Specify how this New Course Contributes to the Department Curriculum
In order to better prepare our students for careers in the field of recreation, tourism and therapeutic recreation, it is necessary to introduce them to the array of professional options earlier in their degree program. Furthermore, the earlier beginning to the focus on professional development will allow them to develop professionally related experiences that make them competitive in the marketplace.
3. Indicate any Course(s) which may be Dropped if this Course is Approved
No courses will be dropped due to the addition of this course. However, the Recreation, Tourism and Therapeutic Recreation Program is undergoing a major revision and this course is part of that revision.
C. IMPACT OF THIS COURSE ON OTHER DEPARTMENTS, PROGRAMS, MAJORS, OR MINORS
1. Does This Course Increase or Decrease The Total Credits Required By A Major Or Minor In Any Department? If So, Which Departments?
This course increases by one semester hour, the coursework in Track B (Therapeutic Recreation) of the Recreation, Tourism and Therapeutic Recreation degree. Upcoming changes to the two majors will result in no additional increase.
2. Attach Letters of Understanding From Impacted Departments
No impact