RECREATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 

Writing Intensive Courses ** 

Recreation 110. Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation. History, philosophy, rationale for service and overview of the profession of therapeutic recreation; survey of disabilities, and overview of therapeutic recreation settings and employment opportunities. 3 credits. 

Recreation 111. Introduction to Leisure Service Delivery. The history and development of the recreation profession, definitions of recreation, theories of play, and the role of recreation and leisure in society. Providers of leisure services and general operational aspects of various organizations and agencies are investigated. 3 credits. 

RECREATION 115. Arthritis Aquatics Practicum.  A course designed to provide students with a practical experience in teaching aquatic exercise for individuals diagnosed with arthritis.  Topics include the meaning and types of arthritis, benefits of exercise, safety issues, and teaching older adults basic and endurance aquatic exercise. 1 credit. 

Recreation 205. Recreation Leadership and Activity. The development of creative leadership skills, methods, and techniques that can be applied in various recreational settings through the use of social and informal recreational activities. 3 credits. 

Recreation 206. Introduction to American Sign Language. A practical study of deaf culture and the history, origin and techniques of American Sign Language (ASL) with application in a variety of settings providing services to members of the deaf community. 3 credits. 

Recreation 207. Intermediate American Sign Language. Provide students with additional American Sign Language structure, and sign language vocabulary. Emphasizes linguistic aspects of ASL, including classifiers, syntax, locatives, placement, and various sentence types. Develops skill in expressive/receptive use of language. Prerequisite: RECR 206. 3 credits. 

Recreation 237. Experiential and Outdoor Education Programming. Demonstrate an understanding of the techniques and methods used in experiential education. Plan and organize an experiential education program for both an indoor and outdoor setting for different population groups. 3 credits. 

Recreation 238. Outdoor Education in the Schools. Development of outdoor education theory and understanding of components and implementations of an outdoor education program in a K-12 curriculum. Utilization of outdoor skills to develop the ability to teach and broaden students’ physical, social, and cognitive skills important in the educational process. 3 credits.

RECREATION 292.  Internship in Recreation.  A semester-long, on-the-job learning experience designed to apply the principles of recreation.  1-18 credits. 

Recreation 295. Special Topics in Recreation. Selected topics in recreation which will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits. 

Recreation 300. Pre-Internship Seminar. Designed to prepare students for internship experiences. Includes emphasis on professional behavior, self-assessment strategies, identification of potential internship sites, goal setting, resume preparation, interview processes and internship site selection. 1 credit. 

Recreation 301. Therapeutic Recreation in Mental Health Settings. An exploration of sociocultural and psychodynamic dimensions of mental health and mental illness and the preventative and restorative functions of therapeutic recreation and leisure education processes. Primary focus includes characteristics of mental health; recognition and amelioration of symptom and illness expressions; TR assessment and intervention strategies, and setting-related issues and terminology. 3 credits. 

Recreation 303. Therapeutic Recreation and Persons with Physical Disabilities.  In-depth study of predominant physical disabilities and implications for therapeutic recreation intervention. Includes focus on specific rehabilitation and habilitation services, activities and technologies; over-view of competitive and recreational sport adaptations; legislation and safety issues; and recreation and support organizations for people who are physically challenged. 3 credits. 

Recreation 304. Leisure and Aging. Focuses on the processes and theories of aging, including biological, psychological, sociological and multicultural aspects. Covers principles and practices related to program implementation and evaluation of leisure services in institutional and community settings. 3 credits. 

Recreation 305. Concepts of Leisure. An analysis of various concepts and philosophies of leisure and their role in defining the framework, content and processes of leisure education for varied consumer groups. Leisure behavior and relevant theories (e.g., attribution and efficacy) will be explored and assessment strategies will be studied and employed. Course is open to non-majors. 3 credits.** 

Recreation 308. Therapeutic Recreation in Clinical Settings. Analysis of current issues, trends and practices in clinical and health care systems and settings and their relationship to and impact in therapeutic recreation. Strong emphasis on clinical documentation; medical symbols and terminology; the therapeutic use of self in helping relationships, and comprehensive program planning. Prerequisite: RECR 370. 3 credits. 

Recreation 310. Plan and Design of Recreation Areas. This course is designed to analyze the many elements of managing recreational resources. Topics to be discussed include indoor and outdoor facility usage, maintenance and operation, design, management application, and liability/risk issues. 3 credits. 

Recreation 311, 312. Studies Abroad. Primarily intended for transfer of credit earned abroad in courses on recreation per semester. 1-18 credits. 

RECREATION 340. Introduction to Outdoor Adventure Skills.  This course will address the basic skills in canoeing, rock climbing, and orienteering.  Students will learn the skills, techniques and safety factors involved in each activity and be able to transfer skills into practice.  3 credits. 

Recreation 350. Ropes Course and Initiative Dynamics. Provides physical and mental challenges through adventure activities. Leadership, communication, decision-making and problem solving will be enhanced. The development of creativity, ingenuity, and trust are essential elements that will be experienced throughout the course. 2 credits. 

Recreation 360. Therapeutic Recreation for Children with Illnesses and Disabilities. This course is designed to prepare TR students for work with children challenged by illnesses, disabilities or  environmental situations requiring particular sensitivity and specialized therapeutic interventions. Task analysis; behavior analysis and interventions, and social skill development are major components of the course. 3 credits. 

Recreation 370. Program Planning and Development in Therapeutic Recreation.  Principles and practices in therapeutic recreation including systems analysis; assessment; treatment planning and documentation; program implementation and evaluation; philosophy of TR, and current trends and issues in the profession. Prerequisite: RECR 110 or permission of instructor. 3 credits. 

Recreation 375. Leadership Development through Wilderness Pursuits. Leadership development through a variety of outdoor experiences and situations. Demonstrations and practical applications of technical skills, problem solving, decision making, and group dynamics. Planning, implementation, and development of outdoor skills and knowledge for back-country travel. 3 credits. 

RECREATION 390.  Directed or Independent Study.  Must be approved by the head of the department.  May be repeated as 391.  1-18 credits. 

Recreation 392. Junior Internship. An 8-10 week supervised practicum in clinical, community or outdoor therapeutic recreation settings during the summer after completion of the junior year. Prerequisites: RECR 300 and 370 or permission of Program Coordinator. 2.0 overall GPA and 2.25 in major required. 6 credits. 

Recreation 410. Supervision and Administration of Recreation. Application of management theory and techniques of leisure service delivery, including such areas as organization, supervision techniques, financing and budget, personnel, public relations, legal foundations and liability. 3 credits. 

Recreation 420. Environmental Education Resources. This course is designed to explore and provide ways to sensitize human beings to the environment. Emphasis will be placed on examining a variety of ways to interpret the environment in order for people to develop environmental ethics and behaviors. Topics such as history and philosophy, environmental ethics, culture and environmental values and environmental education will be covered. Unique to this class will be the opportunity to apply class information to practical experience in teaching and the development of environmental projects. 3 credits. 

Recreation 426. Ethical and Legal Issues in Health and Human Services. An introduction to ethical theories and principles; legal and liability concepts, and issues that impact and guide human service professions and their practitioners. Prerequisite: Recommend completion of one internship or practicum. 3 credits.* 

Recreation 437. Group Dynamics.  Includes analyses of TRS group facilitation styles, skills and techniques. Content and exercises emphasize comprehension of small group behavior; group processes and dynamics; verbal and non-verbal communication, and effective problem-solving and decision-making. 3 credits. 

Recreation 463. Special Projects in Therapeutic Recreation. Qualified students will pursue independent study projects and/or directed research under supervision of an instructor. Nature of study will depend on interests and needs of the students. 1-3 credits. 

Recreation 470. Research in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Methods, techniques, and application of the research process related to a variety of functions typically found in health, physical education, and recreation professions. Designed to acquaint students with practical and applicable tools emphasizing research methodology and elementary data treatment through practical experiences, including computer use. 3 credits. ** 

Recreation 487. Practicum Experience in Outdoor Education. Students will work in an outdoor education related position OR participate in an outdoor education program. Length and intensity of job and/or experience will directly relate to number of credits received (1-3). The experience will enable students to broaden their perspective about career choices and strengthen their knowledge, skills and experience in outdoor education. Students are expected to participate in an experience that will provide them an extended experience and exposure in an outdoor setting. 1-3 credits. 

Recreation 490. Independent Study. Individualized study. 1-18 credits. 

Recreation 492. Senior Internship. A 14 week educational work experience during the senior year designed to provide maximum opportunities for the student majoring in therapeutic recreation to participate in selected professional laboratory experiences. Spring only or permission from Program Coordinator.  12 credits. 

Recreation 495. Special Topics in Recreation. Selected topics in recreation which will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit when topics change. 1-3 credits. 

RECREATION 498.  Honors Research in Recreation.  Students conduct research in recreation under the direction of a faculty member and the Senior Honors Research Committee.  May be repeated as 499.  3 credits. **