Curriculum Courses

Departmental Majors

The department offers three majors: 1) Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences 2) Community Development and 3) Renewable Natural Resources Major Emphasizing RPTS. The RPTS major has 4 program areas: Tourism Management, Community Recreation and Park Administration, Parks and Conservation, and Youth Development. Descriptions of these emphasis areas follow. Students in the RPTS and the Community Development major take the same core courses required by the department. Click on our undergraduate brochure for additional information about our curriculum.

(1) Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences Major (120 hours)

The undergraduate curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences provides students with an emphasis on problem-solving skills, development of an international perspective, and the application of scientific principles to managerial problems. The first two years of studies build a foundation that spans a wide range of disciplines and bodies of knowledge in the arts and sciences, and provide the student with an introduction to the history and concepts of recreation, park and tourism sciences. The second two years prepare students with the knowledge and skills for both entry-level positions and for future professional growth in the field.

Through the curriculum, students develop the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to scientifically investigate and select among alternatives as well as the intellectual skills to organize and integrate their knowledge in new and more effective patterns. An education in recreation, park and tourism sciences prepares students to become professionals with the capacity to learn from life and throughout life.

RPTS Major Emphasis Areas

Tourism Management Emphasis (120 hours) Tourism is one of the world’s largest and most diverse industries. This option focuses on the planning, management, development, and promotion of places and events as tourism attractions. Courses in tourism are designed to collectively build understanding about the linkages that exist between local places and cultures, host populations, and various public, private, and special interest groups. Students in this emphasis can pursue careers in private sector enterprises, government agencies, convention and visitor bureaus, and other tourism related service organizations. Tourism Management Electives Community Recreation and Park Administration Emphasis (120 hours) Management of recreation, park and leisure service agencies that requires expertise in problem-solving, computer-based decision making, assessment of social and environmental impacts, personnel, public relations, volunteer management, financing and fund-raising, marketing of services, and needs assessments. Skills in working with people in the legal and political environment are necessary, as well as the ability to assess and work with other organizations for cooperative developments in recreation and tourism. Students in this emphasis prepare for managerial careers with public recreation and park agencies, youth agencies, not-for-profit recreation agencies, and commercial recreation enterprises. Community Recreation and Park Administration Electives Parks and Conservation Emphasis (120 hours) Management of natural and cultural resources associated with conserving parks and other protected areas. Land managers and related professionals integrate concepts in the bio-environmental sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and policy and administrative decision-making. Necessary skills include geographic information systems, impact assessment methodology, and heritage and natural resources planning techniques. Students with an emphasis in this field look forward to careers with both public and private employers in the recreation, park, and tourism fields, including state and federal agencies and private enterprises, non-profit organizations, youth camps, and environmental education programs. Park and Conservation Electives Youth Development Emphasis (120 hours) Programs and services that contribute to the development of young people’s personal, physical, social and educational abilities. Youth workers are program developers, leaders and managers who need to be able to work with youth, families, organizations and communities. Coursework in this option focuses on positive youth development, program planning and evaluation, and methods for working with young people. Youth Development Electives

Recreation, Park & Tourism Sciences (RPTS) Undergraduate Courses

201. Foundations of Recreation and Parks (3). Development of theoretical foundations of recreation and leisure; professional philosophy, present status, prospects for the future and the role of parks and recreation in modern society.

202. Foundations of Tourism (3). An introduction to travel and tourism from local to international levels. Overview of the scale, scope, and organization of the industry. Emphasis on development of natural, cultural and heritage resources of tourism. Identification of issues related to the economic, technological and political aspects of tourism.

209. Park and Tourism Operations (3). Planning, execution and supervision of field maintenance and operations. Prerequisite: RPTS 201, recreation and parks major or approval of instructor.*

300. Supervised Field Studies (3). Survey and application of principles of recreation and parks. Selected aspects of park and recreation management in an operational setting under supervision of an approved agency. Preparation and presentation of a comprehensive analysis of a specific problem. Offered on an individual basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: RPTS 307; 12 hours of credit in recreation and parks.

301. Leisure and Outdoor Recreation (3). Development and administration of recreational facilities in natural and indoor settings. Development of community , land and water resources to provide recreational opportunities in which environmental factors play major roles. Fundamental concepts of recreation and leisure and their roles in modern American culture.

304. Administration of Recreation Resource Agencies (3). Contemporary issues and related administrative practices associated with the provision of recreation services and setting; addresses principles associated with recreation resource agency administration; personnel and customer-related administrative issues in recreation resource agencies; concepts and principles relevant to commercial and non-profit recreation resource agencies. Pre-requisites: RPTS 201 and 209; RENR 201.

307. Methods of Environmental Interpretation (3). Communication processes and practices between resource managers and publics using or affected by natural, cultural and tourism resource places; principles and techniques of gathering, analyzing and disseminating information through various media, such as exhibits, presentations, publications and programs.*

308. Principles of Community Assessment (3). Examines the many facets of community assessment process: types of developments and sources of change, assessment strategies and methods, resource identification and mobilization, and outcome implications for policy making. Prerequisite: Junior or senior classification.

311. Recreation and Tourism Programs (3). Program planning, operations, administration and evaluation; includes development of special events; service quality, hospitality training and participant satisfaction.*

316. Recreational Management of Wildlands (3). Management and recreational use of wild and wilderness areas and multiple use management areas. Systems and techniques for dealing with management problems in outdoor recreation. Prerequisites: RPTS 307 or approval of instructor.*

320. Festivals, Fairs and Events Principles and applications for effective planning and management of festivals and other special events; planning, promotion, operational logistics, sponsorship and evaluation. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Classification.

331. Tourism Marketing (3). Application of basic tourism marketing principles and concepts in government, business, and social-case contexts; situation analysis and operational evaluation; decision making in terms of product, place, price, and channel of distribution mixes for tourism attractions and services. Prerequisite: RPTS 202.

336. Recreation Research and Analysis (3). Introduction to current recreation research emphasizing specialized research methodology, adaptive techniques and methods of research review useful to the recreation professional. Analysis of the methods of problems identification, formulation and solution. Prerequisites: STAT 201 and RENR 201 or equivalents; all mathematics requirements satisfied.*

340. Recreation, Parks and Diverse Populations (3). Review of major judicial decisions and civil rights laws on the provision and distribution of recreation and park services in society; the influence of age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, race, religion and gender on individual’s preferences for particular recreation opportunities and experiences; implications of individual differences for the provision of recreation services.*

360. Ecotourism: Principles and Practices Principles and practices related to ecotourism; analyzes outcomes of ecotourism for conservation and development; ecotourism as a strategy to protect culture and the physical environment. Prerequisite: RPTS 202.

370. Youth Development Organizations and Services (3). Identification of community and personal issues youth face in growing up. Institutional and programmatic supports available, and leadership, administrative, financial and marketing tools necessary to develop successful youth programs and services.

372. Youth Development Practice Application of youth development ideals in community settings; principles and practices of community youth development and existing youth development models; local community efforts related to community youth development. Prerequisite: 370.

374. Administration of Programs and Services for Youth Overview of topics germane to organization of youth programs; administration and leadership; institutional and organizational structures; administrative and strategic planning; working with volunteer advisory groups; marketing and financing fiscal and human resources. Prerequisite: RPTS 370.

401. Tourism and Recreation Enterprises (3). Market and financial feasibility analysis; resource characteristics, location and market aspects of tourism and recreation enterprises. Prerequisite: 3 hours economics and 3 hours management.*

402. Park Planning and Design (4). Classification of areas according to primary function, location and clientele served. Basic park planning principles involving scale, circulation, function and spatial relationships. Methodology for establishing planning goals, objectives and planning strategies. Prerequisites: Junior classification, RPTS 201 and RENR 201 or equivalents.*

403. Financing and Marketing Recreation, Park and Tourism Resources (4). Public sources of funding for facility development and of approaches to marketing recreation, park, and tourism services; applying knowledge to case study situations. Prerequisites: RPTS 311, junior or senior classification.

408. Community Development and Landgrant System (3). Introduces students to the scope, function and mission of the landgrant system in higher education and it’s relationship to community development. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior classification.

420. Natural Resource Law (3). Basic legal relationships and issues involved in the management, development and allocation of natural resources; includes federal, state and local statutes, administrative rules and judicial decisions; alternative dispute resolution theories and techniques. Cross-listed with RENR 420.

423. Tourist and Resort Development (3). Tourism and recreational travel; nature of resort development and its effect on generating tourist flow to and within regions. Relationship of resource characteristics and resource ownership and control to the characteristics an d economic importance of state and national resort industries. Prerequisite: RPTS 202.*

426. Tourism Impacts (3). Consequences and impacts of various kinds of tourism development for host communities and regions; read and evaluate case studies from Texas, other areas in the United States and internationally; economic, environmental, social, cultural and political impacts associated with tourism proposals, project development, tourist activity, industry expansion and industry decline. Prerequisites: RPTS 202 or approval of instructor.

446. Information Technology Adoption and Use in Recreation, Park and Tourism Organizations Theories of technology adoption and diffusion in recreation, park and tourism organizations; use of technology for knowledge management, benchmarking, and collaboration within leisure and tourism organizations. Prerequisite: RPTS 201.

460. Development and Management of Protected Areas (3). Case studies illustrating social, political, and legal influences on the development and management of parks, refuges, wilderness and other protected areas; interaction between protected-area management and tourism development in neighboring communities and regions; interpretation of social contexts. Prerequisites: RPTS 307 or 316, or 9 hours of credit in natural resource courses. Cross-listed with RENR 460.*

470. Youth Development Organizations and Services (3). NOTE: CURRENTLY LISTED AS RPTS 489 Identification of community and personal issues youth face in growing up. Institutional and programmatic supports available, and leadership, administrative, financial and marketing tools necessary to develop successful youth programs and services.

476. Leadership for Outdoor Recreation Overview of leadership principles related to outdoor recreation; classroom instruction and experiential learning; skills training through field trips; risk management planning, environmental education, group facilitation, and trip planning. Prerequisite: RPTS 370.

481. Seminar (1). Preparation and presentation by students of papers reviewing recreation literature or reporting on current recreation developments. Required of all recreation and park majors. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior classification in RPTS.

484. Internship (1-6). Practical experience working in a professional recreation, park or tourism setting. Offered on an individual basis. Prerequisite: : RPTS 481, good academic standing and approval of Internship Coordinator.

485. Directed Studies (1-4). For individual research by advanced undergraduates upon a broad range of subjects not included in established courses. Prerequisites: Junior classification or approval of department head.

489. Special Topics in… (1-4). Selected topics in an identified field of recreation and parks. May be repeated for credit.*

* Field trips required for which departmental fees may be assessed to cover costs.

RPTS Degree Plan

(2) Community Development Major (120 hours)

This emphasis is designed to prepare students to address changes that are occurring in metropolitan and fringe areas, as well as changes that are occurring in other types of communities located in non-metropolitan areas. For example, rural communities have smaller economies of scale and less diverse populations than larger cities. Small coastal and other natural resource based communities must carefully weigh impacts of development against protection and conservation of environmental qualities.

Graduates of the community development program will be able to apply their conceptual, analytical, and management skills to such issues involving infrastructure development, leadership, economic growth, youth development, poverty, welfare-to-work, water quality, land use, and other issues involving mobilization and collaboration with diverse community groups. Community development students can look forward to careers in various levels of government and their programs, Cooperative Extension, and regional planning organizations. Other potential employers include private community planning firms, industrial parks, retirement communities, recreational resorts and communities, and public relation firms.

For information about this program go to the Community Development Link

Community Development Degree Plan

(3) Renewable Natural Resources Major Emphasizing RPTS (120 hours)

The Institute of Renewable Natural Resources offers opportunities to be affiliated with one of three different departments: Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences or Ecosystem Science and Management. The degree allows students to obtain professional training in specific areas in management and conservation of natural resources. This degree allows students to pursue a broad approach to natural resource education through a multi-department degree.

Renewable Natural Resources (RENR) is for students desiring a rigorous education in the study and management of sustainable ecosystems for a wide variety of resource values. The RENR program of study is comprised of a core of courses and two emphases – one on management and the other on policy. The goal of this core/emphasis structure is to provide students with an identity as a renewable natural resources specialist, while, at the same time, affording the flexibility for preparation for a variety for career tracks. The underlying goal of the RENR degree is to integrate the scientific issues of renewable natural resources. Graduates of this program will be able to articulate these issues verbally and in writing in their chosen career. Therefore, the RENR degree emphasizes verbal presentations and major papers as well as field-oriented activities.

The RENR programs are designed to help students prepare for careers in public and private organizations associated with the planning and use of natural resources and the environment. Possible employment includes areas such as multi-use land management, environmental assessment, resource inventory, natural resource planning, law, policy analysis and land remediation.

An emphasis may be selected in policy or management. The RENR degree consists of 120 credit hours: 43 university core, 44 common to both emphasis areas and 24 designated by the emphasis area and 9 free elective hours. Academic advisors in any of the three departments (RPTS, WFSC, RLEM) are able to advise students on the RENR curriculum.

Renewable Natural Resources Major Emphasizing RPTS Undergraduate Courses 201. Computer Applications in Agriculture (3). Fundamentals of computer use and the application of agricultural software. Computer use in decision making and problem solving in agriculture. Prerequisites: AGLS 102 or RENR 102 or approval of instructor; Math 102. Cross-listed with AGLS 201. 205. Fundamentals of Ecology (3). Principles of ecology using a holistic approach treating plants, animals and humans as one integrated whole. Compositions, structure, nutrient cycles and energetics of biotic communities; adaptations to environmental factors; biotic relationships; and problems of environmental quality and resource use. 215. Fundamentals of Ecology – Laboratory (1).| Sampling and estimating plant-animal populations, measuring environmental factors and recognizing and studying morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations of plants and animals to biotic or abiotic influences.* 375. Conservation of Natural Resources (3). Principles and philosophies associated with the development, management and use of natural resources. Ecological and social implications inherent in management alternatives involving the natural environment and use of renewable natural resources. 400. Study Abroad in Natural Resources – Australia, Fiji & New Zealand (6-8 credits – Summer I) Our study abroad programs relate to the theme of “sustainable development: sustaining human societies and the natural environment”and utilize a combination of classroom-based study with fieldwork. The courses adopt an interdisciplinary perspective that draws on natural, biological, and social science disciplines to improve understanding of relationships between human societies and the natural environment. For more information about these programs visit our program website: http://www.aggiesabroad.com 405. GIS for Environmental Problem Solving (3). Interdisciplinary approach to train students to integrate GIS and relevant technologies for environmental problem solving; helps students relate learning to real world situations; students conceptualize, develop and manage projects using real data; one term project required. Prerequisite: RENR 201 or equivalent or approval of instructor. 410. Ecosystem Management (4). Concepts and practices relevant to the development of landscape/regional level ecosystem management plans; an ecosystem management plan will be developed utilizing a strategic management/coordinated resources approach to establish resource goals, ecosystem resource analysis and impact evaluation, and implementation compatible with societal and individual concerns. Prerequisites: Senior classification and approval of instructor.* 420. Natural Resource Law (3). Basic legal relationships and issues involved in the management, development ad allocation of natural resources ;includes federal, state and local statutes, administrative rules and judicial decisions; alternative dispute resolution theories and techniques. Cross-listed with RPTS 420. 444. Remote Sensing in Renewable Natural Resources (3). Applications of fundamental photogrammetry and photo interpretation and the use of other sensors in remote detection and analysis of natural resources. Interpretation on natural vegetation as it applies to ecosystem analysis for range, forest and wildlife management; natural resource planning for rural, urban and recreational development. Prerequisite: Junior classification. 460. Development and Management of Protected Areas (3). Case studies illustrating social, political,and legal influences on the development and management of parks, refuges, wilderness, and other protected areas; interaction between protected-area management and tourism development in neighboring communities and regions; interpretation of social contexts. Prerequisites: RPTS 307 or 316, or 9 hours of credit in natural resource courses. Cross-listed with RPTS 460. 470. Environmental Impact Assessment (3). The evolution of natural resources regulatory policies and how this influences current procedures for environmental/natural resources assessment and management; demonstration of the environmental impact assessment procedures and policy issues associated with environmental impacts. Prerequisites: Senior classification or approval of instructor. 489. Special Topics in . . . (1-4).Selected topics in an identified field of renewable natural resources. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.*