SYLLABUSACCELERATED ON-LINE COURSE: August 29 th – October 21 st !

FALL 2011

REC 4540/5540 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF RECREATION AGENCIES

THREE CREDIT HOURS

Instructor Information

Instructor: Dr. Mark KanningOffice: AMG 206Phone: 615.904.8293Email: Mark.Kanning@mtsu.eduOffice Hours: (M) 12:30pm-1:30pm (T) 7-8am; 3pm-5pm (W) 7-8am; 11:30am-

12:30pm; (R) 9:30am-11:30am with other times available by appointment.

Course Information

Course Description:

Contemporary issues and related administrative practices associated with the provision of tourism and recreation services and settings; addresses principles associated with recreation resource agency administration; personnel and customer-related administrative issues in recreation resource agencies; concepts and principles relevant to commercial, public, and non-profit recreation resource agencies.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: Understand basic concepts and applications of management theory, management styles, organizational

structure, and management techniques; Understand organization politics related to the administration of park, recreation and tourism services

including the legal foundations and responsibilities of leisure service agencies; Understand personnel management, including recruitment, basic supervision, motivation, communication,

and evaluation; Understand traditional and alternative funding sources and budgeting techniques for public, private, and

non-profit recreation organization; and Understand liability and risk management strategies related to recreation management

Prerequisites:

REC 3010

Course Topics & Schedule:

1. August 29 – September 4 Chapter 1 (Please be sure to complete discussion posts within eachlecture) Case Study #1: Due by September 4th at 11:59 pm Online Quiz 1: Due by September 5th at 11:59 pm

2. September 5 – September 11 Chapter 2, Chapter 3 (Please be sure to complete discussion postswithin each lecture) Case Studies # 2 & 3: Due by September 11th at 11:59 pm Online Quiz 2: Due by September 12th at 11:59 pm

3. September 12 – September 18 Chapter 4, Chapter 5 (Please be sure to complete discussion postswithin each lecture) Case Studies #4 & 5: Due by September 18th at 11:59 pm Online Quiz 3: Due by September 19th at 11:59 pm

4. September 19 – September 25 Chapter 6, chapter 7 (Please be sure to complete discussion postswithin each lecture) Mid-Term Exam: Due by September 26th at 11:59 pm

Mid-term exam covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, & 7.

5. September 26 – October 2 Chapter 8, Chapter 9 (Please be sure to complete discussion postswithin each lecture) Case Studies #8 & 9: Due by October 2nd at 11:59 pm Online Quiz 4: Due by October 3rd at 11:59 pm

6. October 3 – October 9 Chapter 10, Chapter 11 (Please be sure to complete discussion postswithin each lecture) Case Studies #10 & 11: Due by October 9th at 11:59 pm Online Quiz 5: Due by October 10th at 11:59 pm

7. October 10 - 16 Chapter 12, Chapter 13 (Please be sure to complete discussion postswithin each lecture) Case Studies #12 & 13: Due by October 16th at 11:59 pm Online Quiz 6: Due by October 17th at 11:59 pm

8. October 17 – October 21 Chapter 14 (Please be sure to complete discussion posts within eachlecture) Organization and Administration Plan Due by October 20th

at 11:59pm Final Exam: Due by October 21st at 11:59 pmFinal exam covers Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, &14

Textbooks and Supplementary Materials

Required Textbooks:

Hurd, A., Barcelona, B., & Meldrum, J. (2008). Leisure services management. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics

Publishers.

The text is required and may be purchased in hard copy or in e-book form. Phillips Bookstore on the MTSU campus has a limited number of hard copy texts available. The campus bookstore does not carry the e-book thus you will need to purchase it directly from Human Kinetics.

Supplementary Materials:

No other published materials are required for purchase by the student.

Hardware/Software Requirements/Browser Information

Hardware Requirements:

A reliable computer with a CD-ROM drive and Internet connection are necessary to successfully take an online or hybrid course. Students who do not have a computer may access their courses at the MTSU Walker Library (with an MTSU ID), MTSU open computer labs (see http://www.mtsu.edu/infotech/ for links to hours of operation) or at a local public library (Note: Some public libraries block certain web addresses; student should verify with the library’s IT support if unable to access.)

COMPUTER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE AND BROWSER REQUIREMENTSFOR TAKING ACCELERATED ONLINE COURSES

Minimum System Requirements for PC Users:

These specifications are minimal, and more sophisticated systems are better.

Component PC MacProcessor • Pentium IV or higher • PowerPC, preferably a G3 (iMacs are included) or

G4• processor computer runningMac OS9.x or higher, OS X v.10.1x and v.10.2.x, or above

Memory • 128 Megabytes of RAM or higher • 128 MB RAM, preferably 256 with at least 25 MB assigned to browser**

Operating Systems • Windows 2000 or better • OS X, version 10.4 or later

Video • Resolution of 1024x768 or greater • Resolution of 1024x768 or greater

Internet Speed*** • 56K or DSL or cable modem • 56K or DSL or cable modem

Browsers* (accessing courses via Pipeline and RaiderNet use)

• Internet Explorer - 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 SP2• Netscape Communicator - 6.2.3 and 7.1

• Internet Explorer - 5.1.7(OS 9) and 5.2.3 (OS X)• Netscape Communicator - 6.2.x for OS 9 and OS X

Browsers (accessing courses via D2L at https://elearn.mtsu.edu)

• Internet Explorer - 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 SP2• Netscape Communicator - 6.2.3 and 7.1• Mozilla - 1.6, 1.7.3• Firefox – 2.0 or higher

• Internet Explorer - 5.1.7(OS 9) and 5.2.3 (OS X)• Netscape Communicator - 6.2.x for OS 9 and OS X• Mozilla- 1.6, 1.7 for OS 10.3• Firefox - 2.0 or higher• Safari – 1.2

Audio Sound card, speakers, headphones Sound card, speakers, headphones

Internet Service Provider (ISP) • To provide email account, access to World Wide Web, ease of making/maintaining a connection.

• To provide email account, access to World Wide Web, ease of making/maintaining a connection.

Sun Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

• JRE v1.4.2.x (required to run LiveRoom 4.0, SCORM and Equation Editor)

• JRE v1.4.2.x (required to run LiveRoom 4.0, SCORM and Equation Editor)

Java Script • Enabled • Enabled

Cookies • Enabled • Enabled

Supported Browsers*PipelineMT and RaiderNet will not work properly if one of these browsers is not used.   PipelineMT does not support AOL, Safari or other browsers.

A browser is a program that helps users work with the web by displaying documents and making links between computing sites. A graphical web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, can display web documents in hypermedia format; that is, it can be used to view text, images, and video and to listen to audio.

To enable Java and JavaScript, checking a box or choosing this capacity in an options box under the tools or properties menu is usually required.

It is recommended that the “browser check” utility be completed (in its entirety) prior to accessing Desire2Learn (D2L) for the first time. The D2L browser check and upgrade links are accessed from the D2L login page. Note: If accessing D2L via Pipeline, click on the logout link in the upper right corner of the D2L My Home page to go back to the D2L login page.

D2L Student Support

Students are encouraged to visit MTSU's D2L Student Support page for troubleshooting assistance.

Assessment and Grading

Testing Procedures:

Examinations and quizzes will be given upon the completion of the topics throughout the semester. All examinations and quizzes will be given on-line via our D2L course website and will consist of time limits. Students should access D2L through MTSU eLearn instead of PipelineMT to prevent them from timing out during exams and quiz sessions. Exam and quiz dates/times will be announced on the course schedule and must be taken as scheduled, please note course schedule for specific dates and times. No make-up exams will be given.

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Accommodations (such as extended time for exams, readers, scribes, interpreters, van transportation, and study skill improvement) are provided on an individual basis as determined by documented need. If you have a disability that may require assistance or accommodation or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, etc., please let me know. Students may also contact the Office of Disabled Students Services (898-2783) with questions about such services.

Should a student need to have an off-campus proctor he/she must first submit the proper documentation to the instructor prior at least two weeks prior to the first examination. Upon instructor approval, the student should follow the procedures for scheduling a Distance Learning Exam with an off-campus Proctor:

PLEASE NOTE -- Off-campus testing is only permitted at a testing center on a university/college campus or at a library! Employers are no longer acceptable proctors! Exceptions can be made for active members of the military. Please call (615) 898-2743 if you have any questions about your chosen proctor.

Set up a mutually convenient date and time for you to take your exam. Off-campus students must complete the exam by noon on the day of the scheduled on-campus exam unless written permission is sent by the instructor to Sheila Copeland at skcopela@mtsu.edu to take it after that time.

Obtain the proctor's business mailing address, phone number, and email. We will not fax exams! Complete the form (link found below). All requests must be received at least two weeks before the date on which you wish to take the exam! If your

request is received with less than two weeks' notice, you will be given the choice of either getting permission from your instructor to test after the deadline or coming to campus for the exam.

Please use the following click on the following link (proctor exam link) to learn more about scheduling a distance learning exam with an off-campus proctor.

Examination Schedule: Mid-Term Exam: Due by September 26th at 11:59 pm

Mid-term exam covers Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7. Final Exam: Due by October 21st at 11:59 pm

Final exam covers Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, & 14

Grading Procedure:

Students will be assessed based on participation in discussion chat sessions and postings, quizzes, and examinations. Examination and quiz material will be derived from course lecture materials, discussion questions, and assignments.  All exams will be comprehensive in nature.  Exams and quizzes must be taken on time as scheduled. No make-up exams or quizzes will be given without prior approval from the instructor. The final grade will result from specific areas of student responsibility.Online Quizzes 50Class/Discussion Participation 50Chapter Case Studies 100Organization & Administration Plan 50Mid-Term Examination 100Final Examination 100Total Points 450

Grading Scale:

405 - 450 = AThorough knowledge of the subject matter; above average performance and professional quality of work.

390 - 404 = B+Significantly above average understanding of material and professional quality of work.

372 - 389 = BSignifies mastery; good professional quality work.

358 - 371 = B-Very good work.

345 - 357 = C+Good, acceptable work.

327 - 344 = CSatisfactory quality of work.

313 - 326 = C-Minimally acceptable performance and quality of work; partial mastery.

300 - 312 = D+Below average work, somewhat grasping concept.

282 - 299 = DBelow average work.

268 - 281 = D-Unacceptable work, does not demonstrate mastery.

267 & Below  = FCompletely unacceptable work.

Attention Graduate Students:

You are required to complete all of the same requirements as those who are taking the course for undergraduate credit. The primary difference is that you will be required to complete an additional project worth 100 points resulting in your final grade being based on a potential 550 points. My belief is that graduate students must tailor their courses, and the material within, to their focused career choices. I will work with you individually to determine a project that will meet the guidelines of this course while simultaneously being focused on your individual needs. The project must be clarified and approved by September 7th. As soon as possible please send me, via email, a summary of your career interests so that I may begin discourse with you concerning project ideas.

Assignments and Participation

Assignments and Projects:

Online Quizzes:  Students must complete the assigned quizzes as noted on the D2L course schedule. If you do not take the quiz as scheduled, you will not be permitted to make up the quiz. (Online Quiz 1: Due by September 5th at 11:59 pm, Online Quiz 2: Due by September 12th at 11:59 pm, Online Quiz 3: Due by September 19th at 11:59 pm, Online Quiz 4: Due by October 3rd at 11:59 pm, Online Quiz 5: Due by October 10th at 11:59 pm, Online Quiz 6: Due by October 17th at 11:59 pm ). Lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

Case Studies: These case studies will help you better understand how to apply the ideas discussed in the corresponding chapter. Your instructor may also use some of the case studies as topics of discussion in class. Case studies are a great way to get the “real-life” experience of making decisions similar to those you will be required to make as a leisure services manager. Additionally, students should share their experiences in the Time Out DISCUSSION Box (Program Case Reports are due on the following dates by 11:59 pm: # 1 Sept. 4th, # 2 & 3 Sept 11th, # 4 & 5 Sept 18th, # 6 & 7 Oct 2nd, # 8 & 9 Oct. 9th, # 10 & 11 Oct. 16th )

Organization and Administration Plan: The organization and administration plan is intended to provide you with an understanding of organization and administration as applied to your particular emphasis area and specializations. The project and plan is based on NRPA standards. The completed plan must be original student work. You many NOT use existing materials from other sources, all work must be the student’s original work. All plan details (see outline below) are discussed in your course text and lectures thought out the semester. Please make note of these pages and information to help guide you on the project. (Organization & Administration Plan Due by October 20th at 11:59 pm.)

Organization and Administration Plan Contents

Your proposal must include the following:

1) Strategic Plan

Description of agency/department Description of clients Description of functions performed or products/services provided

A mission statement Vision Statement Goals and objectives for the program Evaluation – method to measure degree of successful attainment of goals and objects at end of year

2) Staffing and Resources

Organizational chart Position descriptions – at least 5 staff classifications with 1 position description for each staff

classification Employee development policies Personnel policies and evaluation procedures A discussion of how facilities & resources will be acquired and used

3) Regulatory and Legal Standards

Legal Authority for Agency (e.g., structure such as LLC, articles of incorporation, business license, etc.)

Public Health and Safety (e.g., planning and zoning regulations, health department requirements, Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.)

Employment Regulations (e.g., OSHA, Civil Rights Acts, Equal Pay Act of 1963, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978, Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family & Medical Leave Act, FICA, Medicare, etc.)

Professional Standards (e.g., accreditation, licensing, certification, facility design and operation, etc.)

4) Risk Management Plan

Adoption by Agency (signatures of officers, adoption/review dates) Documents (e.g., waivers, health forms, emergency reports, accident forms) Risk Management (insurance coverage, inspection forms, supervision systems, personnel

qualifications/training Emergency plans (e.g., evacuation plan, emergency supplies, emergency care, crisis management) Continuity of Operations

5) Marketing Plan

Describe at least one target market in terms of demographics, motivations and benefits sought, etc. Describe product/service packages, pricing, and timing that will be designed for target segment Develop objectives for the marketing effort and methods to evaluate marketing effort Describe media to be used, degree of coverage (e.g., number of subscribers), and message size

o Identify costs for design, printing, delivery, etc., and develop promotion/advertising budgeto Develop a timeline for design, production, press, delivery, etc.

Develop at least one written message(s) for promotion and or advertisement

6) Financial Management and Budgeting

Operating Budget (Program or Performance) for first year Revenue Forecasting – Sources of revenue, pricing strategies, break-even analysis, Operating Expenditures (e.g., salaries & benefits, materials & supplies, contractual services,

communication & transportation expenses, rent, insurance, etc.) Accountability systems for Cash Procedures and Inventory

7) Appendices

8) References

Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Specifically, students must communicate with other students in the chat room and discussion boards, etc. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource, students must check the course bulletin board, course schedule, and email frequently for announcements, and students must actively participate in threaded discussion events.

Please spend some time exploring the course and learn how the email, discussion groups, and bulletin board systems function. Please use “Netiquette” when posting online and be respectful and courteous when you post. Use of disrespectful and inappropriate language may result in class dismissal.

Online participation in class discussion is a vital part of this course and your participation grade. Please feel free to contact me at mark.kanning@mtsu.edu. Failure to participate regularly will negatively influence your grade. Do not fall behind. STAY INVOLVED!

Punctuality:

Please check the course D2L schedule for course lecture, assignment, quiz, discussion, and exam due dates. All must be completed on time as scheduled.

Course Ground Rules

Participation and communication with other students in team discussions is required, learning how to navigate in the learning environment system is necessary, keeping abreast of course announcements, using the MTSU student email address as opposed to a personal email address, addressing technical problems immediately, and observing course netiquette at all times.

Communication Guidelines

Email:

Always include a subject line. Remember that without facial expressions some comments may be misinterpreted. Choose your words carefully

when writing your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases. Use standard fonts. Do not send large attachments without permission. Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to

complete an assignment or other communication. Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussion Groups:

Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant. Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic. Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of

other’s ideas. Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks. Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks. Be positive and constructive in group discussions. Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Chat:

Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session. Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements. Be concise in responding to others in the chat session. Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time. Be constructive in your comments and suggestion

Web Resources: Citation Style Guides United States Copyright Office TBR Copyright Issues in Digital Distance Education TBR Copyright Basics TBR Guideline 075 – Distance Education and Intellectual Property The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 The TEACH Act Copyright Website Fair Use Guidelines

Library

Links to MTSU’s various libraries and to the Walker Library’s Distance Learning site. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by distance learners to complete their assignments must be included in all courses. The Walker Library also provides Research Guide video tutorials, including Citation Style Guides.

University Writing Center

Writing Center Phone Number Web Site Email

Peck Hall 325 904-8237 www.mtsu.edu/~uwcenter uwcenter@mtsu.edu

The University Writing Center (UWC) offers free writing assistance for any writing assignment in any class. The UWC staff, comprised of English graduate assistants, work with students to develop the skills necessary to become a confident, competent writer by providing one-to-one consultations and helpful handouts. The Writing Center offers many online services as well, including a Grammar hotline for quick questions, a learning environment system (LES) email drop box and chat room, and a website filled with helpful handouts, exercises, and resource links for individual

work. Check the Center website for hours. Access to online services is available 24/7.

SMARTHINKING Online Tutoring Service

SMARTHINKING is a virtual learning assistance center and is the leading provider of online tutoring. Students connect to live tutors from any computer that has Internet access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To access the site use the following Username and Password: Username: full MTSU email address (example lmm2r@mtsu.edu)Password: MTSU

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the Office of Disabled Student Services (DSS). Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility from the Office of Disabled Student Services. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with the DSS staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessary during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Technical Support

,4/7) 1Students who experience problems logging into their course, timing out of their course, using the course web site tools or experience other technical problems, should be encouraged to contact the MTSU Help Desk online (24/7) or at 1-615-898-5345.othepr

Academic Misconduct

The use of a third party to submit a student's work is only allowed when accommodations are approved by the Disabled Student Services Office. Students found to be in violation of this policy will be reported to the faculty member and Dean of Student Affairs.

Students should be familiar with the “MTSU Students Rights and Responsibilities” handbook which outlines

academic misconductDefined as plagiarism, cheating, fabrication or facilitating any such act,” a statement of community standards of civil behavior, and code of computer use. The handbook can be accessed at http://www.mtsu.edu/~stuaff/slunit.htm.

Hope (Lottery) Scholarship Information

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility requirements and scholarship rules are available on the MTSU Financial Aid website and the lottery Statement of Understanding form. To retain Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship eligibility, you must earn a cumulative TELS GPA of 2.75 after 24 attempted hours and a cumulative TELS GPA of 3.0 thereafter. A grade of C, D, F, or I in this class may negatively impact TELS eligibility. Dropping a class after 14 days may also impact eligibility; if you withdraw from this class and it results in an enrollment status of less than full time, you may lose eligibility for your lottery scholarship. The lottery appeal form may be obtained at www.edu/financialaid/forms. For more information, students may also contact the MTSU financial aid office at 615/898-2830 for additional information.

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