California University of Pennsylvania
Department of Earth Sciences
Parks & Recreation Program

REC 165 - Section 02
MWF@1-1:50PM (EBE 110)
Introduction to Recreation & Leisure

Spring Semester 2010

This is the Syllabus for Dr. Confer's Introduction to Recreation & Leisure class (Section 02, M/W/F @ 1:00PM)

Course Description

The course will familiarize students with the interrelationship between leisure and western culture.  Specifically, students will be introduced to the many effects leisure has on society including, but not limited to the economic impact on leisure, leisure as a modifier of culture, and leisure as it relates to life stages and health.

Course Objectives

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of recreation and leisure as it relates to the world and North America. (NRPA 8.01)

• Interpret the historical and present relationships among time, recreation, work, and play and how they have influenced the current delivery of leisure services by public, private, non-profit, and commercial sectors. (NRPA 8.01, 8.06.01, 8.06.02)

• Identify the concepts of time, recreation, leisure, work, and play from personal and societal perspectives. (NRPA 8.02)

• Recognize the importance of leisure and leisure behavior throughout the human life cycle and its facilitation of personal well-being. (NRPA 8.03)

• Differentiate between the many government, non-government and private companies that offer recreation services and the ability of leisure services to facilitate individual development and expression throughout the human life span. (NRPA 8.03, 8.09, 8.12)

Course Text (REQUIRED)

Course Requirements

All students will be expected to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the topics covered in this class.

Examinations

Three (3) non-cumulative examinations will be given throughout the course of the semester.  The third and last exam will be held during the Final Exam Period based on Cal U's Official Final Exam Schedule as posted on the University's website.  Do not make any other plans, reservations or book flights for the day and time period of the Final Exam - THERE WILL BE NO ALTERNATIVE DATES OR TIMES!

Examination Policy -  The student must notify me BEFORE and permission must be obtained in advance to miss any exam.  Put my office phone number in your phone and my email on your contact list! If you fail to contact me BEFORE the exam you will received a ZERO for the exam!  All exams must be completed or special arrangements must be made prior to the second class period following an exam.  At this time, a missed exam will become a zero if prior arrangements have not already been made.

Class Participation

This class will use TurningTechnologies Classroom Response System (CRS) clickers to encourage class participation and enhance student learning.  In-class CRS questions will be used as an additional means of evaluating and furthering students understanding of the course materials.  Using TurningPoint questions imbedded in the PowerPoint lectures students will be asked to respond to a few questions during each day's lecture.  Points will be earned by responding to each question

Weekly Online Readings Quizzes

There will be a number (approx 12) of short 5 to 10 question online quizzes posted on BlackBoard covering the material from the assigned readings

Bonus Quizzes

There will be a number of short BONUS questions at the end of class on Friday (usually) class from within the PowerPoint lecture covering the material from the week's lectures using the TurningTechnologies Classroom Response System (CRS) clickers.  At the end of the semester the class bonus question scores will be totaled and pro-rated [your total bonus points earned/total possible)*10] with a maximum of 10 points added to your final score.  Additionally, to help you prepare for the exams, about 1/2 of the exam questions will be drawn from the pool of bonus questions and/or the online quizzes.

Grades for this course will be determined on the following basis:

Grade Formula: (Weekly Online Quiz Total + Exam Total + Class Participation Total + Bonus Quiz Points)/400 = Final Grade
Weekly Online Quiz Total = S(10 Highest Online Quiz Scores)/2 (50 points max)
Exam Total = (Exam 1 + Exam 2 + Exam 3) (300 points max)
Class Participation Total = S(CRS questions answered/Total of all CRS questions)*50 (50 points max)
Bonus Points = [S(Bonus Questions Scores)/Total Possible Bonus Question Points]*10 (10 points max)

Grades will be posted on Blackboard for your convenience, however I maintain the Official Gradebook in Excel.  I strive to post the grades ASAP and to post them accurately.  I do however sometimes make mistakes in transferring the official grades from Excel to Blackboard.  If you believe I have made an error, contact me and I will check.  I also retain all exams, assignments and quizzes that you may come and see.

Grade Scale:

GRADES ARE CONFIDENTIAL BETWEEN THE INSTRUCTOR AND THE STUDENTS.  I DO NOT DISCUSS AN INDIVIDUALS GRADES WITH ANYONE BUT THAT INDIVIDUAL.  ALSO, I DO NOT DISCUSS GRADES VIA EMAIL AS EMAIL IS NOT SECURE AND I HAVE NO CLUE WHO HAS ACCESS TO YOUR EMAILS.  I AM HAPPY TO DISCUSS YOUR GRADES AT ANYTIME IN MY OFFICE, DURING REGULAR OFFICE HOURS OR YOU CAN MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

Participation and Attendance - Attendance is required and expected, there are three exams and multiple exercises that require your regular attendance.  Additionally there will be questions during class covering the material from the day's lecture using the TurningTechnologies Classroom Response System clickers.  Your class participation grade will be based your participation in these exercises.  It is unlikely you will do well in this course without consistent attendance.  There is plenty of past evidence to substantiate this.  Each student is expected to share in discussion and express ideas and opinions relevant to the topic throughout the course.  The assigned readings were selected as a tool to facilitate discussion in the class.  Reading assignments should be completed before the class period in which they will be discussed and certainly reviewed prior to each exam.  The instructor will not provide class notes or other materials other what is already posted on the class website to students who have missed class without an official excused absence.

Cal U Class Attendance Policy: Regular class attendance is a prerequisite to successful class performance. University policy permits class absence for cause, but places an obligation for successful completion of course work on the student. There is no single, university-wide policy on class attendance or on cuts; but professors may establish their particular policies on absences, assess reasonable penalties if students do not observe these policies, and treat unexplained absences as unexcused absences. The student must, in all cases, arrange to make up examinations or other work missed because of absence, according to terms and a schedule agreeable to the professors.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform professors of the cause of any absence, if possible in advance. Students should notify the Dean of Students of lengthy absences due to illness or other causes, and appropriate documentation may be required in such cases. Requests for absence due to official University activities, such as field trips or athletic contests, must be made to the appropriate University official.

The Health Center does not issue medical excuses. Under certain circumstances, the Health Center will notify professors about students’ absences (or other failure to fulfill academic obligations) due to medical conditions; on the basis of this notification, individual professors in turn will determine whether or not to excuse the absences.

The temporary grade of Incomplete is not automatically awarded, even if excused or explained absences have prevented completion of required work by the end of the semester.

Teaching Methodology

The instructor will utilize the lecture, class discussion and occasional in-class activities format.  In-class "Clicker" questions, quizzes (online and in-class) and exams will be used to give students opportunities to apply material learned in class or from the textbook readings.

Disposition of Written Work
The instructor will retain all written work.  Grade will be posted on BlackBoard.  You may come to my office during my office hours and review your written work at anytime during the semester.

Course Communication via E-mail

It is recommended that you use your Cal U e-mail account during the semester. There will be times that I will communicate with the class using Cal U e-mail. You should check your account regularly for updates and announcements regarding the course.

I check my email fairly often throughout the school day but I am not in constant contact, so don't expect an instant response especially nights and weekends!  I use my office hours to answer student emails so it may be a day or two before I can get back to you.

Class Email etiquette

Proper etiquette and manners are often considered a hallmark of an educated person. Below are a few guidelines for email in this class:

• Always use a subject or reference line in the heading of the email (i.e. Re: REC 165 class) to let me know what the email is about.
• Use proper greeting along with my title, it can be formal (i.e Dear Dr. Confer) or informal (i.e. Hi Dr. Confer) but it is an important part of any email.
• In the body of the email be concise and clear with your message, while maintaining a proper, professional and respectful tone.  Please don’t YELL at me with capitol letters or write in all lower case and refrain from threatening or sarcastic comments, these indicate disrespect and will not earn you any points with me.  Please use proper spelling, capitalization, grammar and sentence structure.
• End with a proper complimentary closing, it may be formal (i.e. Yours sincerely, Respectfully yours, Respectfully, Sincerely, Sincerely yours, Thank you, Regards) or informal (i.e. Best wishes, Kindest regards, Best regards, Cordially, Cheers).
• Signature: Always, always, always sign your emails so I know who it is from and remember to include the course and section to better identify which "Jane Doe" or “Joe Smith” you are.

Below are a list of Professional Business Email etiquette guidelines/suggestions from Cal U Career Services¹

• Never send anything you would not want to see in tomorrow’s newspaper. There are no security guarantees with electronic mail. Avoid sending ANY confidential or sensitive information via email. Remember, it’s very easy for someone else to forward messages you thought were confidential.
• When you are upset or angry, learn how to use the “Save Draft” or postpone command. Review the message after you have had time to calm down.
• Do not send abusive, harassing, or threatening messages.
• Be cautious when using sarcasm and humor. Without facial expressions and tone of voice, they do not translate easily through email.
• Keep messages and replies brief.
• Use email in a professional manner. Remember, you cannot control where your message might be sent.
• Do not send chain letters through email. This includes any message that contains a request to forward the information to lots of other people.
• Don’t leave your email account open when you leave your computer. Anyone could sit down at your keyboard and send out any libelous/offensive/embarrassing message under your name.
• Don’t send replies to “all recipients” unless there is a very specific need for everyone to receive the message. It wastes disk space, clutters up inboxes and can be annoying.
• When replying, keep messages brief and to the point. Don’t reproduce a message in its entirety. Be selective with what you reproduce and only do it as needed.
• Remember that all laws governing copyrights, defamation, discrimination and other forms of written communication also apply to email.

 ¹From the Cal U Professional Business Etiquette Booklet (http://www.calu.edu/nu_upload/ProfessionalBusinessEtiquetteBooklet.pdf)

Your Cal U email address is the First three letters of your last name and then 4 digits.  For example, if I was a Cal U student my email would be "conXXXX@calu.edu". If you are unsure of your username or how to use your Cal U e-mail the following directions can assist you.

• Go to http://owamail.calu.edu/

• Follow the directions on the page that appears

• If you require assistance you may contact the Cal U helpdesk at helpdesk@calu.edu or 938-5911.

• The Student IT Helpdesk office is in Noss 219 (Note: this is a change from last year)

Classroom Decorum & Policies

Classroom Expectations & Ethics
"Sometimes we must do more than our best; we must do what is required." -Winston Churchill

1. Attendance

• As a major aspect of the university experience is the interaction between student and instructor, the California University of Pennsylvania expects regular and punctual attendance in class.

• Punctuality is deemed to be as important as attendance because tardiness is undesirable for most of life's events.

• Students coming to class late are responsible for checking with the instructor to make sure they were not marked absent.

• The student must inform the instructor of university excused absences in advance of that absence. This will allow a reasonable opportunity for the student to make up work missed. If it is not feasible for the student to make up work, some allowance may be made in order that the student not be overly penalized.

• Absences are counted from the first class session of the term. It is the student's responsibility to approach the instructor regarding making up the work for any missed classes.

2. Academic Honesty

At the university level of the student's education, honesty and integrity are expected in all approaches to learning.  In order to maintain academic honesty and integrity two primary areas must be addressed.

Plagiarism (exemplified by but not restricted to):

• The offering of any work done by another as your own work (i.e. copying).
• Using quotations or the paraphrase of a quote within your work without citing the source.
• Using a paper for one course that was prepared for another course ("double dipping") without both instructors' knowledge and permission.

Academic Honesty (exemplified by but not restricted to):

• Providing your fair share of input and effort for all group work that is required in a course.
• Preparing for every class that you attend. This includes careful reading of assignments, being prepared to participate in discussions and completing any mini-assignments.
• Preparing the answers for take home exams using the appropriate materials but without the assistance of any other person or persons.
• Refraining from giving, receiving, or obtaining information about exams unless authorized by the instructor.
• Refraining from using any materials during exams that have not been approved by the instructor.
• Refraining from consulting with others during exams or classroom discussions unless explicitly authorized to do so by the instructor.

Cheating on exams, bonus quizzes, assignments (in class or homework) or plagiarism of any type will not be tolerated.  All acts of Plagiarism or violations of Academic Honesty are considered serious offenses and may result in failure of the assignment or the course. A student will be assigned an F as a grade for this course if work is plagiarized in any way or cheating is observed.

3. Academic Decorum & Classroom Behavior

The learning process involves an exchange of ideas and an exploration of concepts between faculty and students. A certain level of decorum facilitates this process for learners and teachers.  Behaviors can also disrupt it.  Use the following examples as guides to behaviors that support learning. A void those which disrupt the learning process.

Supportive actions include:

• Coming to class on time prepared including reading all assignments.
• Being attentive and responsive in class.
• Respecting fellow students' opinions and ideas.
• Contributing to the class by making topic specific comments.
• Offering critiques and alternative ideas in a non-condescending manner.
• Providing a fair share of work to group projects and team activities.
• Supporting the rights of classmates to contribute, even when disagreeing with content.
• Challenging or questioning the instruction in a non-threatening/non-demanding manner.

Examples of disruptive behaviors to avoid include:

• Cell Phones!
  Using cell phones or beepers while in class is strictly forbidden.
  Talking on your phone or texting while in class is strictly forbidden.
  Please TURN OFF your cell phones & pagers!
  You will get ONE warning, if cell phone use continues you will be asked to leave the class.
• Sleeping in class.
• Reading the paper, magazines or other textbook in class.
• Arriving late to class or walking out of class during instruction.
• Passing notes to classmates while class is in session.
• Eating, drink or chewing tobacco (and spitting - YUCK!)
• Threatening, aggressive or intimidating behavior towards fellow students or the professor.
• Sexual harassment is reprehensible conduct that will not be tolerated.

Students are expected to behave in a professional manner.  You may be asked to leave the classroom if your behavior is abusive or causes a disturbance. If you are asked to leave the class, 10% will be deducted from your final grade.  Students with extreme or repeated disruptive behaviors in violation of the class policies may be ejected and not permitted to return to class.

The California University of Pennsylvania formally adopted three core values.
They are:  Integrity, Civility, Responsibility!

This class will be governed in keeping with these important core values.

Anticipated Class Schedule (Subject to change)

Part I: Foundations of Recreation & Leisure

1. The World of Parks, Recreation & Leisure

   1. “The Mystery of Happiness”

2. History of Recreation

3. Philosophy & Leisure

4. Leisure & Recreation for Individual in Society

   1. Affluenza, What is it and do you suffer from it?

Part II: Leisure and Recreation as a Multifaceted Delivery System

5. Recreation & Leisure Delivery System

6. Parks and Protected Areas

7. Public Recreation

8. Nonprofit Sector

9. Commercial Recreation & Tourism

10. Therapeutic Recreation

11. Unique Groups

    1. Campus Recreation

    2. Correctional Recreation

    3. Faith-Based Recreation

    4. Employee & Corporate Recreation & Wellness

    5. Recreation in the Armed Forces (Morale, Welfare & Recreation, MWR)

12. Recreation & Leisure Across the Life Span

Part III: Recreation and Leisure Service Areas

11. Recreation Program Delivery

12. Recreational Sport Management

13. Health, Fitness, Wellness & Livability

14. Outdoor & Adventure Recreation

15. Current Issues & Future Trends

Additional Resources

The class website Resources Page and Dr. Confer's Resources website contain a number of links to a variety or recreation, parks & leisure-related web sites and information.

Supportive Library and Other Reference Materials

• Aron, C. S. 1999. Working at Play: A History of Vacations in the United States. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Austin, D. & M. Crawford. 1991. Therapeutic Recreation: An Introduction. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall

• Avedon, E. & B. Sutton Smith. 1971. The Study of Games. New York: Wiley and Sons.

• Bammel, G. & L.L. Bammel. 1996. Leisure and Human Behavior, 3^rd ed. Dubuque, IA: Brown Benchmark Publishers.

• Belasco, W.J. 1979. Americans on the Road: From Autocamp to Motel, 1910-1945. Baltimore, MD; Johns Hopkins University Press.

• Brightbill, C. 1973. The Challenge of Leisure. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

• Bryson, B. (1998). A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail. New York: Broadway Books.

• Carlson, R.E., J.R. MacLean, T.R. Deppe & J.A. Peterson. (1979). Recreation and Leisure: The Changing Scene, 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

• Chubb, M. & H.R. Chubb. 1981. One Third of our Time? An Introduction to Recreation Behavior and Resources. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

• Chudacoff, H.P. (2007). Children at Play: An American History. New York: New York University Press.

• Cordes, K.A. & H.M. Ibrahim. (1999). Applications if Recreation & Leisure for Today and in the Future, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.

• Cross, G. (1990). A Social History of Leisure. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

• Csikszenthtmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: Harper Perennial.

• de Graaf, J. (2003). Take Back Your Time: Fighting Overwork and Time Poverty in America. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

• de Graaf, J., D. Wann & T.H. Naylor. (2001). Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers.

• DeGrazia, S. (1962). Of Time, Work, and Leisure. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.

• Driver, B.L., P.J. Brown & G.L. Peterson. eds. 1991. Benefits of Leisure. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

• Dulles, F.R. (1965). A History of Recreation: America Learns to Play. New York: Appleton-Century Crofts.

• Dustin, D.L (2002). The Wilderness Within: Reflections on Leisure and Life, 3rd ed. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.

• Dustin, D.L., L.H. McAvoy & J.H. Schultz. (2002). Stewards of Access/Custodians of Choice: A Philosophical Foundation for the Park and Recreation Profession, 3rd ed. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.

• Edginton,C.R., D.G. DeGraaf, R.B. Dieser & S.R. Edginton.  (2006) Leisure and Life Satisfaction: Foundational Perspectives. (4^th edition). New York: McGraw Hill.

• Godbey, G. (2003). Leisure in Your Life, 6^th ed. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

• Goodale, T. & Godbey, G. (1988). The Evolution of Leisure. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

• Henderson, K.A., M.D. Bialeschki, J.L. Hemingway, J.S. Hodges, B.D. Kivel & H. D. Sessoms. (2001). Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services, 8^th ed. State College, PA: Venture Publishing.

• Hiuzinga, J. (1950). Homo Ludens. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.

• Human Kinetics (ed.). (2006). Introduction to Recreation and Leisure. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

• Ibrahim, H. (1989). Pioneers in Leisure and Recreation. Reston, VA: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

• Ibrahim, H. (1991). Leisure and Society: A Comparative Approach. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown.

• Kando, T. (1980). Leisure and Popular Culture in Transition. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

• Kelly, J.R. (1995). Leisure, 3^rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Allyn & Bacon.

• Lee, J. (1915). Play in Education. New York: MacMillian.

• Leitner, M. & Leitner, S. (1989). Leisure Enhancement. New York: Haworth Press.

• Lofgren, O. (1999). On Holiday: A History of Vacationing. Berkeley< CA: University of California Press.

• Louv, R. (2008). Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (updated ed.) Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books.

• McLean, D.D., A.R. Hurd & N. B. Rogers. (2008). Kraus’s Recreation and Leisure in Modern Society, 8^th ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

• McLean, D.J & D.G. Yoder. (2005). Issues in Recreation and Leisure: Ethical Decision Making. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

• Myers, D.G. (1992). The Pursuit of Happiness: Discovering the Pathway to Fulfillment, Well-Being andd Enduring Personal Joy. New York: Harper Collins.

• Perrottet, T. (2002). Pagan Holiday: On the Trail of Ancient Roman Tourists. New York: Random House.

• Pieper, J. (1963). Leisure: The Basis of Culture. New York: Mentor Books.

• Robinson, J.P. & G. Godbey. (1997). Time for Life: The Surprising Ways Americans Use Their Time. University Park, PA: The Pennsylvania State University Press.

• Rugh, S.S. (2008). Are We There Yet?: The Golden Age of American Family Vacations. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas.

• Russell, R.V. (2005). Pastimes: The Context of Contemporary Leisure, 3^rd ed. Champaign, IL: Sagamore Publishing.

• Rybczynski, W. (1991). Waiting for the Weekend. New York: Penguin Books.

• Schor, J.B. (1992). The Overworked American: The Unexpected Decline of Leisure. New York: Basic Books.

• Schor, J.B. (1998). The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need. New York: Harper Perennial.

• Shrivers, J.S. & L.J. deLisle. (1997). The Story of Leisure: Context, Concepts and Current Controversies. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.

• Smith, D.H. & N. Theberge. (1987). Why People Recreate: An Overview of Research. Champaign, IL: Life Enhancement Publications.

• Veblen, T. (1899). The Theory of the Leisure Class. New York: Macmillan Company.

ADA Statement

 If you are a person with a disability and need any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advice me and make appropriate arrangements with disabled student service (938-4576).

Social Justice

The Department of Earth Sciences and the Parks & Recreation Management Program are committed to social justice.  I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination.  Our University does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, disability, veteran status, religion, sexual orientation, color or national origin.  Any suggestions as to how to further such a positive and open environment in this class will be appreciated and given serious consideration.

 Students with disabilities:

• Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations.

• Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive accommodations.

• Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically involve the faculty.

• Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that involve the faculty.

Office for Students with Disabilities

Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD).  Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD Accommodation Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations in a timely manner. 

Contact Information:

• Location: Azorsky Building – Room 105

• Phone:     (724) 938-5781

• Fax:          (724) 938-4599

• Email:      osdmail@calu.edu

• Web Site: http://sai.calu.edu/osd

California Area Book Stores

You can also order your textbook online!

Instructor: Dr. John Confer
Office: 265 EBE, Eberly Sciences and Technology Center
Office Hours: Mon, Wed & Fri 2:00–3:00 PM; Mon & Wed 5:15-6:15 PM
or by appointment (E-mail for appointment)
Office Phone: (724) 938-4211
E-mail: confer@calu.edu
Website: http://workforce.calu.edu/confer/
*Students are encouraged to Email questions*

Class Meets: Mon., Wed. & Fri. 1:00-1:50 PM
255 EBE, Eberly Sciences and Technology Center