VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE Course Outline INSTRUCTOR'S NAME: Dr. Doug Kennedy COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Recreation & Leisure Studies COURSE NUMBER: REC 101 1:30 M&W, Roop 2 COURSE DESCRIPTION: Work, play, and rest shape our lives. Well, at a time when we are extremely consumed with work, have forgotten the value of rest, and think play is for children, it is critically important that we take another look at these forces. This course is designed for all students who not only desire to explore the varied professions within Recreation and Leisure Studies as a possible career goal, but also for everyone to examine their personal growth and development. The need for recreation and leisure within today's society will be the major area of concentration. To do this, this course will emphasize the analysis of personal values and life stages as they relate to the topics under investigation. TEXT: Leisure Enhancement,2nd Edition by Leitner, Leitner & Associates SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS: Class handouts, publications in closed reserve in VWC library. COMPETENCIES: Note: Numbers in parentheses refer to the NRPA/AALR Accreditation Standard(s) the competency meets or aids in meeting. 1. Students will be able to understand several definitions and philosophies of recreation and leisure. 2. Students will be able to demonstrate through their knowledge of the following terms: recreation, leisure, play, values, time, work, community recreation, community school, adult education, futurism, life styles, life's work, concepts, and special populations. (8.01) 3. Students will be able to express clearly the personal values they hold concerning the major course topics and describe the affects these values have on their current life style and career goals. 4. Students will understand the various play theories and their relationship to past and present society. (8.02) 5. Students will understand the agencies and services providing recreation and leisure opportunities. (8.12) 6. Students will exhibit through their writing of reports via computerized word processing a College introductory level knowledge of research and writing techniques. (8.35) 7. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history and development of the recreation profession and its supporting professional organizations. (8.06) (8.08) (7.04) 8. Students will be instructed in the laws and public attitudes concerning special populations, and the responsibility of the recreation and leisure profession to provide appropriate opportunities. (8.13) 9. Students will understand the various human life and growth cycles, and cultures, and also understand the relationship between these cycles and leisure interests and needs. (8.04) (8.17) (7.05) (7.07) 10. Students will recognize the career opportunities available to them in the recreation and leisure profession as well as the current realities in the job market. 11. Students will understand professionalism and explore its meaning. (8.08) 12. Students will understand the economic, technological and political significance recreation, leisure, and play have in our society (8.03) 13. Students will appreciate the advocacy role recreation and leisure service professionals play in developing public understanding of the value of recreation. (8.08) 14. Students will be able to discuss the term programming as well as its components, as well as gain an introductory level understanding of how programs are determined and designed for specific populations. (8.15) (8.20) 15. Through being introduced to leisure education, students will understand the relationship between the availability and knowledge of resources and recreation participation. (8.19) 16. Students will understand the legal foundations behind the provision of public recreation at the local, state, and national level. (8.36) 17. Students through volunteer experience will learn how the material presented in class will relate to actual provision of services. (8.39) 18. Students will discuss and understand the most recent issues that are effecting the recreation and leisure service profession.(8.07) 19. Students will understand how communities are organized to provide recreation and leisure opportunities. (7.03) MATERIALS USED: Film, video tapes, and handouts. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION: Discussion, group facilitation, guest speakers, field trips, lectures, community service, and case studies. OUTLINE OF TOPICS: 1. Concepts of Leisure 2. Leisure Education 3. Historical Influences 4. Leisure and Recreation in the U.S. today 5. Why people Recreate 6. Leisure planning and time management 7. Fitness and leisure 8. The role of leisure in stress reduction 9. Laughter and humor 10. Recreation and social development 11. Gambling and recreational Drug Use 12. Personal Leisure Philosophy 13. Leisure throughout the life cycle 14. Recreation for special populations 15. Outdoor recreation 16. Leisure around the world 17. Leisure in the future CLASS POLICIES: 1. The most important policy governing this class is your ability to accept personal responsibility for all your actions and the events that effect your class performance. This means that YOU and no one else is responsible for your performance on a test or assignment, your ability to hand in work and get to class on-time, or your ability to follow directions as stated verbally or in writing. Events that are seemingly outside our control seldom are. The assignment that could not be completed on-time because the printer broke at the last-minute is NOT the fault of the printer. Rather, it is the fault of the person for waiting until the last minute and refusing to accept personal responsibility ahead of time for such possibilities. Don't wait until the last minute, don't call the instructor at the last minute, don't assume "it will all work out somehow", don't rely upon others unless you are prepared to accept their irresponsibility, and DON'T MAKE EXCUSES FOR YOURSELF. Instead, get your work done ahead of time, sit down with the instructor as soon as you have questions that need answers. if something goes wrong ask yourself how YOU could have avoided the situation and then accept the consequences if YOU in fact made a bad decision. Act maturely and impress those around you with your maturity. These are important steps in becoming a good employee, friend, neighbor, spouse, parent, and of course student. At a time when people can't accept responsibility for their own actions, the ability to do so will absolutely impress those around you. Welcome this opportunity and you'll be better off for it! The instructor happily stands ready to assist you as long as you have done everything possible to assist yourself and acknowledge your responsibility for your performance. 2. Class assignments are due on the date specified. NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED. NO EXCEPTIONS. 3. Regular prompt class attendance is required. You may be absent ONCE without penalty. Every subsequent absence will result in a 10% deduction from your class participation grade. If you are late for class, do not enter the room if class has started. 4. Written assignments are to be of professional quality, typed neatly with no larger than one-inch margins all around, printed in a font no larger than 12 point, easily readable in print image quality, referenced fully to source materials, and accurate in grammar and spelling. Please refer to the handout "Paper Characteristics" available from the instructor for a full discussion of grading criteria. 5. Work for this class may not have been done for any other related class at VWC or elsewhere. 6. Participation, meaning the relevant and qualitative discussion of course material, is expected. THIS MEANS QUANTITY AND QUALITY. On average, if you are not participating during each class you are not meeting the participation requirement. 7. Unannounced quizzes covering guest presentation, lectures and readings will be given. 8. Each student will summarize a weeks worth of current events and post them on the Recreation and Leisure Studies Bulletin Board. This will be both a two-page written summary and short oral summary presented to the class. The written summary is due on the day assigned for the week assigned. No exceptions or late sumaries will be accepted. 9. All class suggestions are encouraged. It's your class, if there's a topic you'd like covered, or an idea you'd like to try, see the instructor. All suggestions aid your class participation grade. 10. Students may not make up missed quizzes or tests. 11. All suspected infractions of the College's Honor Code will be turned over to the Vice President for Academic Affairs with the request that the Honor Council effect 12. In accordance with Title 5, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as well as The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, reasonable accommodation will be provided to any student who has followed the College's procedures as outlined in the Academic Bulletin. So that the instructor can do all that he can to provide an appropriate learning and testing environment, it is requested that any student asking for accommodation insure that the instructor is aware of such requests at least one week from the time that such accommodations are needed. 13. This class will discuss a broad variety of subjects including those that may be deemed "personal" by some people. Although you are expected to act maturely, respect the feelings of others, and not intentionally cause anyone harm, you are also expected when comfortable to share your personal opinions regardless of how controversial they may be viewed by others. College is, and should be, the home of free speech and the open exchange of thought unbridled by popular norms. Say what you think, and question those with whom you do not agree. If you are not comfortable with this, or a topic of conversation, see the professor to discuss your concerns. 14. The syllabus is subject to changes at the instructor's discretion during any point in the semester. Students will be notified of any changes. METHODS OF EVALUATING INSTRUCTOR'S EFFECTIVENESS: Standard college evaluation form. In addition, students will have the opportunity to complete a midterm evaluation and may suggest any changes at that time. METHODS OF EVALUATING STUDENTS PERFORMANCE: 1. Midterm 20% 2. Class participation (attendance, enthusiasm, quality/quantity of involvement) 30% 3. Leisure Portfolio Presentation/Paper 15% 4. Current Events Presentation/Summary 15% 6. Final 20% LETTER GRADE EQUIVALENTS: A = 90-100% A- = 87-89% B+ = 84-86% B = 80-83% B- = 77-79% C+ = 74-76% C = 70-73% C- = 67-69% D+ = 64-66% D = 60-63% D- = 57-59% F+ = 54-56% F = 53 and below