Recreation (REC)

REC 1310. Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services.

Introduction to recreation, includes brief historical backgrounds, professional opportunities, present status, past and present leaders. Role of leisure time in our social structure, professional responsibility, familiarization with current issues and trends, and professional literature. Lecture and field trips. A grade of “C” or better in this course is required to enroll in any upper division Recreation Administration courses.

REC 1330. Introduction to Outdoor Recreation.

This course provides students with an overview of the role the natural world plays in recreation and leisure services. The course will focus on values of outdoor recreation, adventure recreation, environmental impact, and the role of government in the provision and protection of outdoor recreation programs and resources.

REC 1370. Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation.

This course surveys history, philosophy, terminology and professional opportunities in therapeutic recreation. The role of leisure and therapeutic recreation in enhancing quality of life is explored.

REC 2330. Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services.

Discussion of leadership theories and skill development for indoor-outdoor games and sports. Teaching activities to develop skill in programming various indoor/outdoor recreational settings.

REC 2335. Recreation Program Development.

This course introduces students to basic principles and procedures for developing recreation programs that respond to human needs. This course provides students with opportunities to acquire and utilize recreation programming skills through practical application. Prerequisite: REC 1310 with a grade of "C" or better and REC 2330 with a grade of "D" or better.

REC 2336. Directed Field Experience in Programming Recreation.

Students participate in programming and leadership with a selected recreation agency. Online learning modules and communications guide the work and professional reflections. Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better and a minimum 2.0 Texas State GPA and instructor approval.

REC 2370. Planning Therapeutic Recreation Services.

Students engage in classroom content and service learning to develop knowledge and skills in facilitation techniques used in a variety of therapeutic recreation settings. Students will gain an understanding of theoretical models and learn how to apply these models when analyzing activity selection and documenting client outcomes. Prerequisites: REC 1370 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisites: REC 1310 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 3325. Recreation Administration.

This course covers administrative practices relevant to entry-level professionals in the recreation industry. Topics include foundations of management, decision-making, planning, coordination of resources, and ethics in the public recreation sector. Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better and [MATH 1312 or MATH 1315 or MATH 1317 or MATH 1319 or MATH 1329 or MATH 2321 or MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 or HON 2302A] with a grade of "D" or better.

REC 3335. Advanced Recreation Program Development.

Students will develop advanced program planning skills through the integration of theories and models of program development, consideration of diverse target markets, performing needs assessments, and planning for risk management issues. Students will apply these planning skills through an applied project. Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better. (WI).

REC 3340. Recreation Facilities Operations & Maintenance.

Introduce theories and provide practical experience in the development, operation, maintenance, and management of various recreational facilities. Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 3351. Evaluation of Leisure Service Programming.

This course focuses on methods, techniques and application of the evaluation process related to a wide variety of leisure service functions, including clientele and prospective participants, programs, personnel, facilities, organizations and literature. (WI) Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 3370. Assessment and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation.

This course introduces students to selecting, utilizing, and interpreting assessment instruments, and to the processes used to document assessment results and client progress used in therapeutic recreation practice. Prerequisite: HIM 2360 and REC 1370 and REC 2370 all with grades of "C" or better.

REC 3371. Facilitation & Processing in Therapeutic Recreation.

This course presents an overview of concepts and interaction techniques used in the provision of goal-oriented therapeutic recreation services. Included are historical perspectives, current research and theoretical perspectives, processes for leading therapeutic groups, experiences of interventions and facilitation techniques, and counseling techniques and approaches for therapeutic recreation as an action therapy. Focus will be on development of skills necessary to implement evidence-based goal-directed outcomes. Prerequisite: REC 1370 and REC 2370 both with grades of "C" or better. Corequisite: PSY 3300 and PSY 3315 both with grades of "D" or better.

REC 4318G. Cross Cultural Studies in Recreation & Sport Facility Design.

This course will introduce theories and provide practical experience in the design, development, operation, maintenance, administration of various recreation and sport facilities. Students will compare facility amenities from the United States with those in another country. Students will have behind the scenes tours of recreation and sport facilities and parks, meet with managers from all sectors of the recreation and sport industry, and learn from faculty abroad. It is specifically for students participating in the Study Abroad program offered by Recreation Studies.

REC 4318H. Recreation & Sport Research in a Cross-Cultural Context.

This course involves the examination of concepts, techniques, and processes that are applied in conducting evaluation/research. Students will identify an area of interest related to recreation, sport or leisure and complete a research project comparing the subject area in the United States to the country being visited. Students will tour recreation and sport facilities as well as visit cultural, historic and scenic locations in and around the city where we will be staying. It is specifically for students participating in the Study Abroad program offered by Recreation Studies.

REC 4330. Entrepreneurial Recreation Management.

This course provides a study of the scope and the entrepreneurial management of leisure services. The focus will be on financial management related to profit centers including planning, legal liability, record keeping, and revenue management. Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 4335. Outdoor Recreation Programming.

Students apply principles and procedures for developing and leading recreation programs in a variety of specialized, outdoor environments. Students will demonstrate competencies for Leave No Trace certification. Course is taught in cooperation with the Texas State University–Outdoor Center. Prerequisite: REC 1330 and REC 2335 both with grades of "C" or better or instructor approval.

REC 4337. Independent Study in Recreation Administration.

This course consists of individual study related to recreation administration under direct supervision of a faculty member. (WI).

REC 4350. Theories and Methods of Supervision in Recreation and Leisure Services.

This course presents theories and methods relating to recruitment, selecting, hiring, training, disciplining, and discharging employees. This course also addresses legal issues related to personnel supervision. Prerequisite: REC 2335 with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisite: REC 4380 with a grade of "D" or better.

REC 4370. Principles of Therapeutic Recreation.

This course will cover the principles of therapeutic recreation services including standards of practice, administrative processes, and issues related to professionalism. Prerequisite: REC 1370 and REC 2370 and REC 3370 and REC 3371 all with grades of "C" or better.

REC 4371. Application of Evidence-Based Practice in Therapeutic Recreation.

Students will gain a theoretical and practical foundation for applying the therapeutic recreation process with persons with various types of disabilities across the lifespan. Focus will be on developing skills necessary to implement evidence-based interventions culminating in the design and application of a comprehensive case study. Prerequisite: REC 3370 and REC 3371 both with grades of "C" or better.

REC 4380. Seminar in Recreation.

This capstone seminar addresses trends in leisure services. Emphasis is on the interactional effects of diverse services, consumers, and environments. The course should be taken in the fall or spring semester immediately preceding enrollment in REC 4680 or REC 4681. (WI) Prerequisite: Instructor approval. Corequisite: REC 4350 with a grade of "D" or better.

REC 4680. Internship in Recreation Administration.

This internship involves full time work (minimum 400 hours) during which a student will complete administrative tasks in an approved parks and recreation agency. The work is co-supervised by faculty and an agency representative trained in the recreation field. Prerequisites: REC 1310 and REC 2335 and REC 2336 and REC 3325 and REC 4380 all with grades of "C" or better and all major coursework must be completed and a minimum 2.25 Major GPA and instructor approval.

REC 4681. Internship in Therapeutic Recreation.

This internship involves experiential learning over a long semester during which a student will work fulltime (a minimum of 560 hours) in a therapeutic recreation setting under direct professional supervision by a CTRS and faculty member with CTRS credentials. Prerequisites: REC 1310 and REC 1370 and REC 2335 and REC 2336 and REC 2370 and REC 3325 and REC 3370 and REC 3371 and REC 4370 and REC 4371 and REC 4380 all with grades of "C" or better and all major coursework completed and a minimum 2.25 Major GPA and instructor approval.

REC 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continued thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the thesis is submitted for binding.

REC 5299B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continued thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the thesis is submitted for binding.

REC 5310. Philosophical Foundations of Recreation & Leisure Services.

To introduce and explore the meanings of leisure, leisure behavior, and leisure services from historical, philosophical, sociological, and political perspectives. Students will develop a philosophical view of leisure based on exploration of the history of leisure and the leisure profession as well as consideration of the nature of the individual and society.

REC 5318M. Programming for Active Older Adults.

Individuals who work in leisure and aging focus on enhancing the quality of life for individuals aged 55 and over. The population of persons over the age of 65 is growing rapidly and in the US the 'older adult' population now includes members from three distinct age cohort group.

REC 5318O. Programming Nature Experiences.

Nature experiences are reliably linked to physiological and psychological health benefits and are a popular way to spend leisure time. This course examines the relationship between leisure programming and nature experience. Students will have the opportunity to learn about biophilic human responses to nature, eco-phenomenology, nature-based pedagogy, and other constructs that will improve their ability to facilitate and interpret nature experiences in the leisure setting.

REC 5318P. Inclusive Leisure Service Delivery for People with Disabilities.

The primary goal of this course is to engage students in the meaning of social inclusion as it pertains to people with disabilities, along with current trends and best practices related to inclusive leisure service delivery for people with disabilities. Course content will prepare students to enhance inclusive service delivery in a variety of settings.

REC 5318Q. Evaluation of Recreation & Leisure Programs.

This course will focus on practical applications of program evaluation techniques. Directed readings will cover the history of evaluation as well as methods and approaches designed for different customers, locations and program types. Prerequisite: REC 5380 with a grade of "C" or better or instructor permission.

REC 5320B. Programming Trends in Therapeutic Recreation.

This is a seminar style course where students investigate current trends in the provision of therapeutic recreation (TR) services, including evidence-based practice (EBP) and advancing the profession. This course is also designated as an Academic Service-Learning Course.

REC 5321. Issues and Trends in Therapeutic Recreation Services.

This is a seminar-style course during which students investigate current trends related to the provision of therapeutic recreation services and professional advocacy. Prerequisite: REC 5328 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 5325. Philosophical Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation.

Course examines the history, theory, and philosophy of therapeutic recreation such as service models, standards, and legislation. The use of therapeutic recreation in supporting the attainment and maintenance of well-being of people with differing characteristics and abilities is explored in a variety of service settings. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

REC 5326. Therapeutic Recreation Planning and Implementation.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the therapeutic recreation process with a focus on planning and implementation of individualized services and supports for persons with disabling conditions. Therapeutic recreation practice concepts of interventions, modalities, instruction, leadership, supervision, and leisure counseling are explored. Prerequisite: REC 5327 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 5327. Assessment, Evaluation, and Documentation in Therapeutic Recreation.

This course provides an in-depth examination of the assessment and documentation phases of the therapeutic recreation process. Students will administer, score, interpret, and report standardized and specialized assessment instruments and documentation methods. Corequisite: REC 5325 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 5328. Advanced Principles of Therapeutic Recreation.

This class provides an in-depth examination of the principles of organizing, funding, and managing therapeutic recreation services within a variety of settings. Topics include analysis of professional credentialing, policies, standards of practice, ethical behavior, and regulatory guidelines as they relate to therapeutic recreation are applied to advancing the profession. Prerequisite: REC 5327 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 5329. Evidence-based Practice in Therapeutic Recreation.

This course explores the application of research evidence to the planning and delivery of therapeutic recreation within a variety of service settings. The emphasis is on locating, critically appraising, analyzing, and producing evidence related to treatment modalities and techniques for therapeutic recreation practice. Prerequisite: REC 5328 with a grade of "C" or better.

REC 5330. Organizational Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Services.

This course provides an exploration of management issues related to the role of the leader as a conduit for effectiveness in leisure service agencies. Content will include practices associated with managing human resources such as hiring, supervising, evaluating, and compensating. Content will include examination of federal and state laws impacting employment and the manager’s role in operationalizing both legislative mandates and agency policy.

REC 5337. Independent Study in Recreational Administration.

Individual study related to recreational administration under direct supervision of a faculty member. May be repeated for additional credit at the discretion of the department chair.

REC 5338. Internship in Therapeutic Recreation.

This course provides students the opportunity to complete an intensive, on-site internship under the supervision of a nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Students will complete 560 hours in a therapeutic recreation setting. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

REC 5340. Social Psychology of Recreation and Leisure.

To provide an introduction and overview of the personal, social and social-psychological contexts of leisure; utilizing current literature the course will focus on examining leisure and recreation behavior from psychological, sociological and social-psychological constructs that are contributing to a contemporary, interdisciplinary understanding of the leisure phenomenon.

REC 5346. Literature and Research.

The course provides an analytical investigation of research techniques and steps necessary to address research questions related to professional practice. Students will examine methods of locating and securing research findings and reports and develop the ability to discuss current literature in the field of recreation and leisure.

REC 5350. Legal and Ethical Issues in Recreation and Leisure Services.

A seminar style course that focuses on legal and ethical issues related to recreation and leisure services. Tort law, participant rights, accessibility, credentialing, and others are topics to be addressed in this course.

REC 5360. Financial Management in Recreation & Leisure Services.

This course is a study of financial concepts, principles, and techniques as they relate to recreation and leisure delivery systems. These include full cost accounting, pricing, financial management, and alternative funding proposals. Prerequisite: REC 5380 with a grade of "C" or better or instructor approval.

REC 5372. Technology-Mediated Places of Leisure: Aspirations towards a life of leisure.

This course focuses on the technology-leisure experience interaction, supported by knowledge of layout, design, and functions of homes, cities, and outdoor environments. Students will develop an understanding of how technology is incorporated into the experience of physical spaces and create proposals for technological enhancements appropriate to these varied places of leisure.

REC 5373. Innovative Technology Solutions and Applications in Recreation and Leisure.

This course is a study of operational competence in selected technologies including the development of research skills in user need articulation and technology augmentation. Students will critically investigate technology usage in leisure service delivery. Students will develop the ability to diagram and write for analytical purposes, fieldwork and experiences, and collaborative work.

REC 5380. Organizational Planning in Recreation & Leisure Services.

This course provides students with organizational planning and administration tools developed and tested within the recreation industry. Topics may include the exploration of programming and organizational theory, administrative processes, and the application of the organizational principles to the recreation service delivery systems. Emphasis will be placed on various planning functions including strategic, evaluation and marketing.

REC 5381. Outdoor Program Leadership and Administration.

Within the role of leadership and administration, students will become knowledgeable in the theoretical foundations of outdoor programs, adventure programming, and wilderness travel. The history of thought surrounding natural places and outdoor recreation will be examined throughout the semester.

REC 5382. Facility Management in Leisure Services.

The course provides an overview of practice of facility management. Explorations will include the role of facility manager, work management functions, and user interaction. In addition, students will investigate concepts of health and safety, accessibility, environment and sustainability, technologies, sourcing, emergency preparedness, and space interrogation. Basics of design drawing literacy and evaluation will be discussed.

REC 5399A. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the student has completed the thesis in REC 5399B.

REC 5399B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continued thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the thesis is submitted for binding.

REC 5599B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continued thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the thesis is submitted for binding.

REC 5999B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continued thesis enrollment. No thesis credit is awarded until the thesis is submitted for binding.