Recreation and Sport Management Course Descriptions

RSM 210 Recreational Activities (3) – An exploration of a variety of activities appropriate for use in any recreational setting.  Areas of concentration will include music, crafts, nature, special events, fitness, leisure counseling, and socialization.  Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of activity skills. 

RSM 242 Introduction to Recreation and Sport Management (3)– The significance and meaning of recreation, leisure, play, and sport in modern society. The theories of play, models of sport, and the recreational and sport movement in the United States. Role and scope of recreation and sport programs in the community, schools, commercial, and industrial settings. Introduction to professional and career issues in the field.

RSM 280 Recreation for People with Disabilities (3) (Prereq: RSM 242).  An introduction to the concepts and professional approaches to recreation service delivery for people with disabling conditions.  Emphasizes appreciation for human diversity and the impact of differences on recreation involvement.

RSM 301 Principles of Coaching (3) (= PHED 301) (Prereq: RSM 242).  A study of coaching from a contemporary coaching education model.  Principles focus on coaching athletics in recreation, amateur, and educational settings.  Topics include philosophical, ethical, developmental, behavioral/psychological, pedagogical, and physical/conditioning issues.  Course also provides overview of coaching management and provides certification opportunity.

RSM 305 Sports Officiating (3).  A study of the philosophy and principles of sports officiating.  Includes rules and mechanics for officiating of various seasonal sports, with practical/field experiences.  Includes observation and evaluation officials in recreational, high school, and collegiate settings with certification opportunities.

RSM 309 Youth Sport (3).  (Prereq: PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 102).  An investigation into the issues of children participating in organized and competitive sport.  Examines youth sports from biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives.  Emphasis is placed on the impact of sport managers and leaders in the delivery of youth sport programs. 

RSM 310 Campus Recreation (3) (Prereq: RSM 242).  An introduction to collegiate recreation and intramural sports programs including professional ethics, facility operations, program management, legal liability and risk management, marketing, fiscal management, and social issues.

RSM 315 Outdoor Recreation (3) (Prereq: RSM 242).  An overview of the role of the natural world in recreation services.  The course will focus on values of outdoor recreation, adventure recreation, environmental impact, and the role of government in the provision of outdoor recreation.

RSM 317 Sport Law and Ethics (3).  A survey of the ethical and legal issues confronting sport in contemporary society.  Students use a case study approach to become familiar with interconnecting legal and ethical issues as they arise within the context of sports from youth to professional levels.

RSM 320 Administration of Sport and Physical Education (3) (= PHED 320) (Prereq: RSM 242).  Course designed to introduce the undergraduate student to the administrative duties of the teacher, coach, recreation director, and athletic director.  Topics include organizational structures, personnel management, budget planning, risk management, legal considerations, and evaluation for program accountability.

RSM 337 Legal Issues in Recreation and Sport (3) (Prereq: RSM 242).  An overview of the role of local, state and federal governments in the provision of recreation and sport services.  Provides the basic understanding of legal liability, risk management, negligence, standard of care, safety regulations, and other legal subjects as they apply to recreation and sport.

RSM 340 Sport and Exercise Behavior (3) (= Psychology 340) (Prereq: PSYC 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 102).   An overview of basic concepts and principles essential to understanding the psychological and behavioral aspects of sport and exercise.  Emphasis is given to the conceptual frameworks and the applied aspects of performance enhancement, exercise behavior and motivation, sociological factors, and health and well-being.  Applications are made to future practitioners of coaching, teaching, sports medicine, counseling, sport management, and fitness.

RSM 350 Ecotourism (3).  An introduction to the scope, characteristics, and management aspects of the ecotourism industry within a designated country.  The course offers a study abroad opportunity and a blend of conceptual and practical material to help achieve a basic understanding of this diverse industry (requires travel).

RSM 352 Commercial Recreation (3) (Prereq: RSM 242).  Basis steps of initiating and conducting a commercial recreation enterprise; designed to offer students practical experience in starting a recreation business.

RSM 369 Sport Marketing and Promotion (3) (Prereq: CBAD 350).  An application of fundamental marketing and promotion concepts to the sport industry.  Special emphasis is placed on understanding the relationship between sport products and sport consumer markets.  Students will utilize the analysis, strategy development, implementation, and evaluation phases of the sport marketing process.

RSM 377 Sport Tourism (3).  An introduction to the scope, characteristics, and management aspects of the sport tourism industry.  The course offers a blend of conceptual and practical material to help achieve a basic understanding of this diverse industry.

RSM 389 Recreation and Sport Leadership (3) (Prereq: RSM 242 and THEA 140).  This course focuses on the study and practice of leadership styles and direct leadership techniques for conducting organized recreation and sport programs for all age groups.

RSM 390 Program Planning for Recreation and Leisure (3) (Prereq: RSM 337).  This course focuses on the principles and approaches to planning and implementing recreation programs.  A philosophical and practical basis for preparing a variety of recreation programs will be covered.

RSM 392 Field Experience in Recreation and Sport (3) (Prereq: RSM 369 or RSM 390).  A supervised practicum in a professional setting; on-site observation in a public, private, or commercial setting with experience in all working areas and activities pertinent to that agency.

RSM 396 Orientation to Internship (1) (Prereq: RSM 337).  Plan and prepare for the internship in recreation and sport management.  Analyze career placement opportunities, the internship process, and associate requirements.

RSM 399 Independent Study (3) (Prereq: RSM 242).

RSM 400 Sport in Contemporary Society (3) (Prereq: PSYC 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 102).  An investigation into sport as a microcosm of society and how it is influenced by cultural traditions, social values, and psychosocial experiences.  Emphasis is placed on how sport managers are immersed in the soci-cultural milieu, with sport as the focus.  Course includes the examination of changing attitudes, behaviors, and trends in the world of sport.

RSM 432 Research and Evaluation in Recreation and Sport Management (3) (Prereq: RSM 390 or RSM 369).  Systematic, structured problem-solving for decision making in recreation and sport management services.  Research techniques/evaluation procedures; quantitative, qualitative methodologies; deductive, inductive reasoning (computer usage).

RSM 438 Recreation for Active Aging (3) (Prereq: PSYC 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 102).  This course introduces the students to recreation activities and techniques for working with senior adults.  Topics include procedures for programming, implementation, and evaluation of recreation activities that serve senior adults.

RSM 456 Recreation Administration (3) (Prereq: RSM 390).  Administrative policies and organizational management of recreation services, financial and personnel practices, public relations (computer usage).  

RSM 482 Special Topics in Recreation and Sport (3) (Prereq: RSM 389).  Topics of special interest in contemporary recreation and sport management.  Reading, research, and application of selected subject(s).

RSM 492 Campground Administration (3) (Prereq: RSM 390).  Basic concepts of campgrounds and management.  Topics include administration and organizational structure, business management, insurance for special groups or special camps, day camping, residence camping, recreational vehicle camping, campground facility design and maintenance, special event planning, and camp appraisals.

RSM 494 Area and Facility Management in Recreation and Sport (3) (Prereq:  RSM 320 or RSM 390).  Basic consideration in planning, construction, design, risk management, and maintenance of sport and recreation areas, facilities, and buildings.

RSM 496 Internship in Recreation and Sport Management (12) (Prereq: senior standing and completion of all RSM required courses; successful completion of internship application and exit exam; to be taken semester prior to graduation).  Twelve-week/480 hour full-time supervised experience in recreation or sport at a cooperative and approved agency.

RSM 499 Directed Undergraduate Research (1-6) (Prereq: RSM 432 or permission of instructor).  Using the scientific method, directed undergraduate research on a recreation or sport management topic to be developed by the student and instructor.