All Recreation and Leisure Studies Courses

Undergraduate Courses

REL 202 Fundamentals of Recreation and Leisure Studies (A,S)

Presents an overview of the recreation/leisure profession and its impact on the individual and society. Explores the theoretical, conceptual and historical foundations of play, recreation, and leisure. Examines the personal, sociological, and economic impacts of recreation and leisure. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

REL 305 Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation (B)

Covers the process, benefits and function of therapeutic recreation, values of therapeutic recreation service, provision of service by diagnostic group and setting including medical terminology, and historical and professional development of therapeutic recreation. Requires field experience. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr. Fall.

REL 306 Issues of Diversity and Disability in Recreation (A,D)

Explores and provides opportunities for students to learn about the present trends and practices that acknowledge different cultures, diverse groups and individuals who possess a disability. This course aims to build awareness on the importance of developing cultural sensitivity and intercultural competency skills to address the need of a changing demography. Course requires a minimum grade of C (for Major/Minor) 3 Cr.

REL 307 Practicum (B)

Investigates professional issues and problems through on-sight experiential learning. Topics and sites are arranged through the instructor. Requires one or more written projects. Course requires a minimum grade of C (for Major/Minor) 3 Cr. Summer.

REL 308 Recreation Programming & Group Dynamics (A)

Examines frameworks for designing, implementing, and evaluating recreation programs in multiple settings. Examines the role of, and strategies for, managing group dynamics in recreation programming. Course requires a minimum grade of "C" for major/minor/certification. 3 Cr. Fall.

REL 312 Administration of Recreation and Leisure Services (B)

Focuses on the administration of a comprehensive recreation and leisure service system. Covers organizational behavior, marketing, human resources, operations, and finance common to public, private, commercial, and therapeutic sectors. Minimum of grade of "C" for major/minor 3 Cr.

REL 313 Economic and Community Development in Recreation (A)

Principal emphasis is on the role of recreation to community development. Examines market mechanisms and government as they affect allocation of resources to recreation services. Minimum of grade of "C" for major/minor 3 Cr.

REL 314 Tourism Principles (A)

Covers principles affecting tourism: the scope and magnitude of tourist attractions, services, facilities, transportation, accommodations, and the tourist. Examines travel motivations; demand for destinations; economic, socio-cultural and ecological impact; tourism planning; and tourism marketing. Minimum of grade of "C" for major/minor 3 Cr. Fall.

REL 315 International Tourism (A,I)

Examines the international tourism environment. Covers tourism growth and development and its costs and benefits as an international, economic, social, cultural, political, and environmental phenomenon. Covers trends in international tourism through the exploration of literature relating to international tourism destinations and looks at the role of various constituents in promoting international tourism. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr.

REL 320 Leisure Education in Therapeutic Recreation (A)

Provides an introduction to leisure education and its use in clinical and community settings. Covers concepts, theories, and practical issues relating to leisure education, including various models, assessment tools, intervention, leisure education programming techniques, and facilitation of leisure education groups. Examines diverse settings for leisure education services. Gives students the opportunity for practical experience that will build on course content. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr.

REL 324 Outdoor and Adventure Recreation (A)

This course will familiarize students with topics important to the management of outdoor and adventure recreation activities. Students will be exposed to research and other readings which cover both theoretical and applied concepts within outdoor and adventure recreation management. Students will be challenged to read about, present on, and discuss a variety of topics pertaining to recreation in natural environments. Minimum of grade of "C" for major/minor. 3 Cr.

REL 395 Sustainability in Recreation (A)

Focuses on the context of sustainable development and balancing the needs of ecosystems, culture and heritage in the recreation and tourism industry for host communities and visitors. Introduces students to the history, concepts, principles, marketing, planning and management of sustainable recreation and tourism. Explores contemporary industry trends and looks for ways to make tourism sustainable in environmental, economic, social and cultural terms. Minimum of grade of "C" for major/minor. 3 Cr.

REL 401 Leadership & Professional Development in REL (A)

Students will develop the professional competencies of recreation and leisure students consistent with industry expectations. Focuses on the study of leadership in recreation with emphasis on theory, decision-making, group management, communication, and motivation with a focus on ethical and value-based leadership with diverse people and communities. Examines professional career preparation including skills assessment, portfolio building and resume writing, internship application processes, interview techniques, college-to career transition, professional ethics and selected contemporary career building seminar topics. Requires students to participate in professional organizations. Course requires a minimum grade of C for major/minor/certification. 3 Cr.

REL 402 Current Trends and Issues in Recreation (A,Y)

This course identifies and analyzes current trends and issues in the recreation profession. Students are expected to develop critical thinking skills through case studies, news reports and debates. requires a minimum grade of C (for Major/Minor) 3 Cr.

REL 406 Leisure and Aging (A,I)

Examines various aspects of aging as they relate to leisure in contemporary society, leisure needs of mature adults, services for elderly, and leisure pursuits in the subculture of the aging. Minimum grade of "C" for major/minor. 3 Cr.

REL 407 Methods in Therapeutic Recreation (B)

Covers applications of the therapeutic recreation process (assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating) to planning comprehensive therapeutic programs in health and human service settings. Focus on clinical documentation and professional accountability. Requires field work. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr. Spring.

REL 408 Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation Recreation (B)

Emphasizes skill building in therapeutic recreation facilitation techniques for healing modalities. Focuses on individual therapy, group process, activity analysis, modality selection, planning multiple sessions, and designing program protocols for persons with disabilities. Requires field experience. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr. Fall.

REL 409 Therapeutic Recreation for Diverse Populations (A)

Examines the characteristics and needs of individuals with various abilities as they tcla to the therapeutic recreation domains of service delivery. Course objectives will aim to increase student understanding of cognitive, physical, psychiatric, emotional, and other related disorders. Course content will also build awareness on the importance of developing cultural sensitivity and intercultural competency skills. Requires some field experience. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr. Spring.

REL 410 Research and Evaluation in Recreation and Leisure Studies (B)

Provides an introduction to research and evaluation in recreation and leisure. Focuses on the tenets of the scientific method as applied to research and evaluation. Develops skill in styles and conventions of formal, scientific writing in recreation and leisure studies and services. Course requires a minimum grade of C (for Major/Minor) 3 Cr.

REL 411 The Recreation Legal Environment (A)

Provides students with an understanding of the U.S. legal environment and an awareness of the fundamental legal issues involved in the management of recreation and park organizations. Minimum of grade of "C" for major/minor 3 Cr.

REL 412 Issues and Trends in Therapeutic Recreation (B)

Investigates how current trends and administrative issues affect the delivery and advocacy of therapeutic recreation services. Emphasizes contemporary approaches to managing changes in practice in the emerging profession of therapeutic recreation. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr. Spring.

REL 414 Planning, Design and Operations of Recreation Facilities (B)

Provides examination of the planning process, design considerations, and operational functions for various components of recreation facilities, including parks, playgrounds, athletic complexes, and recreation centers. Minimum grade of "C" or better for major/minor 3 Cr.

REL 415 Entrepreneurship and Financial Management in Tourism (A)

Explores small business development principles and innovative processes involved in starting small businesses that sustain tourism destinations. Addresses administrative responsibilities in the context of recreation and tourism businesses. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr.

REL 416 Nonprofit Management of Leisure Organizations (B)

Examines the history and background of the development of nonprofit organizations, their missions, how they complement public sector organizations, the process of establishing a non-profit organization and specifically management styles, funding and everyday operations. Covers topics such as grant writing, fund raising, organizational structure, and personnel policies. Minimum grade of "C" for major/minor 3 Cr.

REL 417 Financial Management and Revenue Generation in Recreation an (A)

Provides an integrative view of revenue production for leisure service organizations. Numerous practices of generating income, such as fees and charges, facility rental, bonds, investments and public/private cooperative development will be examined in relationship to their ability to aid an organization in achieving its stated objectives. Financial and economic principles will be discussed and basic accounting practices will be introduced, as these are foundational elements of sound financial management within recreation organizations. REL major restriction. Course requires a minimum grade of C (for Major/Minor) 3 Cr.

REL 418 Women and Leisure (A)

This course is designed to assist students in developing an awareness of the changing roles of women in society, particularly within the leisure and work components of women’s lives. The content of this course aims to encourage students to think critically about the issues surrounding women, work, and leisure. Through a feminist perspective lens, students will explore how women’s lives can be made more visible, exploring how social change is necessary to allow women the opportunities that they deserve related to work and leisure. Course topics will also discuss the role that leisure can play in empowering women. . Minimum grade of "C" for major/minor. 3 Cr.

REL 430 Special Event Planning (B)

Examines the special event planning process and the career of an event planner. Provides an overview of the major segments of the event industry: examination of social and cultural phenomenon of special events, event organization and control, securing contracts and sponsorships, research and Minimum grade of "C" for major/minor 3 Cr.

REL 440 Tourism Marketing (B)

Examines the fundamental marketing and sales principles related to the tourism industry. Covers service marketing; destination marketing; professional marketing and sales organizations; consumer behavior; market segmentation; marketing research; tourism product, distribution, location, and price; marketing communication; marketing and sales information systems; and the role of a manager. Minimum grade of "C" for majors/minors. 3 Cr.

Graduate Courses

REL 506 Leisure and Aging (A)

Examines various aspects of aging as they relate to leisure in contemporary society, leisure needs of mature adults, services for the elderly and leisure pursuits in the subculture of aging. 3 Cr.