Principles of Leadership
RECR 2150
Fall, 2016
University of North Texas
Recreation and Leisure Studies Program
Lecture
Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
Physical Education Building (PEB) –Room-206
Instructor
Steven Pope
Office Hours:
by appointment: (940) 565-3428
I.Recreation and Leisure Studies Philosophical Statement:
The Recreation and Leisure Studies faculty value leisure and recreation and believe in its diverse personal, community, and societal benefits. We also believe in an inclusive, holistic, and lifespan approach to leisure and recreation. Our program attempts to prepare students for professional service in an evolving and diverse world by addressing changing demographic, political, financial, and technological issues. As a team, the Recreation and Leisure Studies faculty, working with you, strive to create a student-oriented learning environment that lays a foundation to promote lifelong learning, effective human relations skills, critical thinking, problem solving abilities, and creativity.
II.Purpose:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the various leadership theories, styles and group dynamic concepts applicable to the successful and effective delivery of leisure and recreation activities. The student will critique their leadership style and performance capabilities through self-assessment and awareness exercises; plus, integrate leadership and group development theory for assessing group characteristics in order to adapt activities that are congruent with participants.
III.Course Objectives:
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. understand the importance of leisure throughout an individual’s life cycle
2. describe the relationship of leisure services to participant requirements
3. apply the various leadership styles and techniques
4. describe the nature and function of groups within a recreational setting
5. identify the process through which groups form and develop
6. apply the nature of the two-way communication process as it relates to leadership
7. develop leadership skills using a variety of recreational activities
8. apply the ethical principles related to leadership
9. apply the motivational principles related to staff and volunteers
10. understand the principles of risk management as it relates to the delivery of leisure
services
11. develop a repertoire of leisure activities
12. understand the historical significance of leaders in the profession
IV.Required Reading:
Jordan, D.J. 2007. Leadership in leisure services: Making a difference. 3rd edition. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.
Therrell. J. 1989. How to play with kids. Austin, TX: Play Today Press
Recommended Readings:
Rohnke, K. 1984. Silver bullets: A guide to initiative problems, adventure games and trust activities. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Rohnke, K. 1989. Cowstails and cobras II: A guide to initiatives, ropes courses, & adventure curriculum. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Rohnke, K. 1994. The bottomless bag again/again. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Rohnke, K. 1995. Quicksilver: Adventure games, initiative problems, trust activities, and a guide to effective leadership. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Rohnke, K. 1996. Funn stuff. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company. (FUN is NOT misspelled in this reference!)
V.ASSIGNMENTS (more detail will be provided later):
Assignment 1 requires the student to prepare three recreation activities of approximately 10 minutes in length (per activity) that could be used in an impromptu situation. The student will post on Blackboard copies of his/her three activities for all class members; thus producing approximately 90 activities that will then become the content for your activity notebook for Assignment 2.
Assignment 2 requires the student to create an activity resource notebook developed from the lectures, labs, and site visits. The student will use a pre-determined activity sheet format to record each recreation activity entered in the notebook.
Assignment 3 requires the student to work in teams to develop a 5-7 minute powerpoint presentation related to one of the chapters in the How to Play with Kids text.
Assignment 4requires the student to work in teams planning and leading a new games, low initiatives, or created activity by each group member to the class. Each member of the group must perform some type of direct leadership function during each activity. The entire groups’ activities must be clearly purposeful with an intended outcome that can be explained and documented. This is what separates the recreation professional from a common activity leader.
Assignment 5 is a community service project that requires the entire class to plan, organize, and implement as a fully functioning group. This project must be presented for approval by the instructor before it is allowed to proceed.
VI.Point Totals (percentage):
50Quizzes
10Assignment 1 - Impromptu Activity Presentation
5Assignment 2 - Recreation Activities Notebook
10Assignment 3-Group Chapter Presentation
15Assignment 4 - Group Activities Presentation
5Assignment 5 - Class Community Service Project
5Class participation, attendance, and leadership behaviors
100Total Points
VII.Grading:
A = 100-90Excellent - Indicates exceptional achievement. Discussed relationships thoroughly and relates evidence supporting or refuting viewpoints of text.
B = 89-80Good - Indicates extensive achievement. Discussed relationships and viewpoints requested. Use of course material is obvious.
C = 79-70Satisfactory - Indicates acceptable achievement. Answered all questions, etc. Use of course material is apparent.
D = 69-60Fair - Indicates minimal achievement. Responded inconsistently. Use of course material not obvious.
F = 59-00Unsatisfactory - Indicates inadequate achievement. Did not, in general, meet the assignment criteria or did not complete the assignment.
VIII.Americans with Disabilities Compliance:
The Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the recruitment and admission of students, the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by federal laws and regulations. The designated liaison of the Department is Dr. Chwee Lye Chng, Physical Education building, Room 209, 565-2651. Copies of the Department of KHPR ADA Compliance Document are available in the Chair’s Office, Physical Education Building, Room 209. Copies of the College of Education ADA Compliance Document are available in the Dean’s Office, Matthews Hall, Room 214. The student has the responsibility of informing the course instructor of any disabling conditions that will require modifications and avoid discrimination.
IX.Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act:
Students have the right to expect their grades will be kept confidential. The instructor, under the reasonable assumption guidelines, assumes students are collecting only their own materials. Every attempt will be made to keep your information confidential. Your signature indicates that you understand and agree to pass materials to and from the instructor via other students. Should you choose not to sign, you will have to personally meet with the instructor to submit and receive assigned material. Neither your course grades nor grades for any assignment will be posted in a way that could result in your being identified by other students or faculty members.
X.Official Classroom Policies:
The course will be governed by all policies described in the Faculty Handbook, the Student Guidebook, and the Undergraduate Catalog of the University of North Texas.
Participation and Attendance:
To receive maximum benefit from this course students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss related reading assignment and attend all classes. Both class participation and attendance will be assessed on a random basis. If a student arrives after attendance has been determined they will be listed as late “l” for the day and if a student leaves class early they will be listed as “le”. Any combination of 2 “l” or “le” will constitute a full absence.
Classroom Etiquette/Leadership Behavior:
All students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Please remember to turn off all phones and other electronic devicesbefore entering the classroom. When you are in the classroom, your attention is to be given to the person speaking, so personal conversations are considered rude, eating is allowed as long as it is not distracting, and sleeping or doing other projects while in class will adversely affect your grade in this course, in multiple ways.
Assignments:
Assignments are DUE, must be turned in or posted, at the beginning of class on the due date. All assignments must be typed, unless otherwise noted, using Microsoft WORD application, doubled-spaced, and 12-point font. Professional "quality" for each of the assignments is the standard. A deduction in grading will occur for sloppiness, poor grammar, and spelling and typographical errors. Assignments turned in late will not be accepted unless accompanied with a doctor’s note.
Quizzes/Examinations:
If you arrive late to take a test and one or more students taking the test have already finished and left the room, you will not be allowed to take the test and will receive a zero (0) grade for that test. Failure to return both the examination document and scan form to the instructor before leaving the classroom will result in a zero (0) grade for the test.Make-up exams will not be given unless a documented emergency has occurred. To claim an emergency situation, legitimate proof regarding the situation is needed prior to arranging for a make-up exam. Please see the instructor for clarification of appropriate documentation required. This valid documentation must be provided within 7 consecutive days past the scheduled test date or the emergency excuse becomes invalid.
Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating will not be tolerated in the class. You are not to receive information from another student or give information to another student during a test or quiz. You are to use only your memory during examinations. Students caught cheating during an examination will be charged under the University's Code of Student Conduct. Among other punishments, students found guilty run the risk of having their score changed to a zero, receiving a grade of “F” for the course, and/or dismissal from the University.
Student Evaluation of Teaching Effectiveness (SETE):
The SETE is a requirement for all organized courses at UNT. This brief survey will be made available near the end of the semester, and provides an opportunity to comment about this course. The SETE is an important part of class participation, which provides feedback from each student to help improve the instructor’s teaching.
XI.Tentative Course Schedule
Assigned readings will prepare you for the material to be presented in the lectures. It is expected that you will have read the assignment before class. Please bring the text book and syllabus to class each session to record any changes in topic or assignment.
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