Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies (PRLS)

This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.gmu.edu.

PRLS Course Schedule

200 Level Courses

PRLS 200: Wilderness First Responder. 2 credits.

Examines the role of outdoor professionals in wilderness medicine and the response, care and rescue of outdoor participants in non-urban outdoor environments. Uses the Patient Assessment System (PAS) to assess backcountry patients in an intensive experiential course which addresses the issues of medico legal concerns, blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 8 credits.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 210: Introduction to Recreation and Leisure. 3 credits.

Traces the development of current concepts of recreation and leisure and their implications and consequences. Covers influences of philosophy, religion, science, economics, sociology, and politics on discretionary time and its uses. Notes: Open to nonmajors. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 220: Experiential Education Theory and Application. 3 credits.

Provides a broad theoretical, as well as practical, background in teaching and learning experientially. Concepts presented, experienced, and discussed include the basic premises of experiential learning according to a wide variety of educators and philosophers. The content and experience applies to recreation, education, development, and therapeutic settings. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 221: Challenge Course Facilitation. 3 credits.

Provides the fundamental principles and techniques of challenge course facilitation. Classroom learning is combined with an experiential setting through leading youth groups in the field. Students are provided with an introduction to safety, skills, and facilitation techniques for low and high elements of outdoor challenge courses. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.

Recommended Prerequisite: CPR Certification and PRLS 220.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 241: Practicum. 3 credits.

Paid or voluntary work experience in a park and recreation agency. Minimum period of 10 to 12 weeks of part-time employment or experience. Capstone course for minors, allowing for integration and application of course work, theories, and research to a work setting. Work sites chosen among four approved sites. Includes meetings and assignments prior to and during the practicum. Notes: Open to departmental majors and minors only. Serves as a capstone for minors who have completed PRLS 310, 316, and 327. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: PRLS 210^D, 220^D or 316^D.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.

Schedule Type: Internship

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

PRLS 250: Wilderness Travel and Sustainability. 2 credits.

This experiential course is designed for students with prior backpacking experience. Involves discussions, demonstrations, and activities that teach students wilderness skills, safety and judgment, leadership and teamwork, and environmental ethics. Topics covered include basic wilderness first-aid, hazard evaluation, emergency procedures, expedition behavior, self awareness, judgment and decision making, campsite selection, shelter and stove use, fire building, sanitation and hygiene, cooking, nutrition and rationing, equipment care and selection, staying warm and dry, route finding and navigation, Leave No Trace backpacking, weather, natural history, and wilderness ethics. Application of these skills will occur during the 14-day offtrail backpacking trip in a remote wilderness area. Not only will students practice these wilderness skills, but they will also develop leadership abilities by working in a collaborative team environment. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Focused Course

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 290: Aquatic Operation and Management. 3 credits.

Covers industry standards for water quality and aquatic facility management. Includes recognizing, measuring, and preventing biological and physical hazards. Meets requirements for certification as a Certified Pool/Spa Operator through the National Swimming Pool Foundation as well as certification in CPR through the American Red Cross. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

300 Level Courses

PRLS 300: People with Nature. 3 credits.

Traces philosophical evolution of perceptions of and attitudes toward nature. Examines role of philosophers, scientists, nature-writers, and artists in the shaping of environmental thought. Includes extensive reading of Emerson, Thoreau, Muir, Leopold, Carson, Wilson, and others. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Focused Course

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 302: Park Management and Operations. 3 credits.

Focuses on management and operations of park resources, including the management of visitors and recreation development. Emphasizes understanding of contemporary threats to park integrity and preservation of resources. Also covers maintenance management systems. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: PRLS 300

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 310: Program Planning and Evaluation. 3 credits.

Introduces fundamental principles and techniques of the planning process for sport, recreation and tourism programs, including assessment of needs and goals, objectives, and mission statement; generating solutions; planning programs for implementation and evaluation. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: PRLS 210^D, SPMT 201^D, PHED 200^D, SRST 200^D or TOUR 200^D.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 316: Leadership and Outdoor Education. 3 credits.

Focuses on promotion of lifelong health and fitness via noncompetitive and informal outdoor activities. Introduces safety, skills, and leadership techniques. Covers sustainable use, conservation, and stewardship of natural resources. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 317: Social Psychology of Play and Recreation. 3 credits.

Applies social psychological theories and research to the study of leisure, play, and recreation behavior, including correlates, antecedents, and consequences of and constraints to these concepts. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: PRLS 210^D or SRST 200^D.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 323: Program Leadership and Evaluation. 3 credits.

Covers leadership and evaluation of health, fitness, and recreation programs. Uses computer technology to study evaluative aspects of program planning and administration. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PRLS 310^D.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 327: Foundations of Therapeutic Recreation. 3 credits.

An introduction to the processes and techniques of therapeutic recreation to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities. This course examines the history, concepts, theories, and foundations of therapeutic recreation. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 360: Bill of Rights Issues in Parks, Schools, and Public Places. 3 credits.

Examines issues, particularly those involving First Amendment free speech and freedom of religion issues such as political protests, religious displays, and use permits. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 362: Cultural and Environmental Interpretation. 3 credits.

Focuses on communication processes and practices used to explain and interpret special characteristics of cultural and environmental resource sites for visitors. Conceptual principles for planning interpretive programs and multi-media delivery techniques are discussed. Methods for programming interpretive services, addressing multi-audience accessibility, and administration and evaluation of interpretive services used at recreation and tourism sites are also examined.. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts. Equivalent to TOUR 362.

Recommended Prerequisite: PRLS 300.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

400 Level Courses

PRLS 402: Human Behavior in Natural Environments. 3 credits.

Applies social and behavioral theories to management for recreational users of land and water resources. Examines deterioration and pollution of land and water, noise, crowding, and conflicts among users. Discusses strategies for mitigation of deleterious impacts and depreciative behaviors, and attitudes toward resource conservation, preservation, and use. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Focused Course

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PRLS 300^C.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 405: Planning and Operation of Recreation Facilities. 3 credits.

Covers quantity, location, and design standards for facilities. Includes safety, functionality, durability, and maintenance demand criteria in planning and design; programmatic and operational objectives to be met, including user comfort and convenience, crowd management, and traffic flow, and space relationships. Includes field study of local facilities. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 410: Administration of SRT Organizations I. 3 credits.

Focuses on operation and management of sport, recreation and tourism organizations. Covers management and leadership theories and techniques, problem-solving and decision making, organizational communications, design of organizational structures and budgeting. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 411: Administration of SRT Organizations II. 3 credits.

Focuses on program and organizational marketing principles and strategies; service quality assessment and organizational evaluation techniques; and organizational financing for the experience industry. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PRLS 410^C.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 416: Trends and Programming Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation. 3 credits.

Explores the role of leisure in human development with a specific focus on needs, demands, and services for people with disabilities and illness. Presents concepts associated with leisure, aging, physical challenge, targeting leisure services, research, and public policy. Notes: Field experience required. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PRLS 327^D.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 417: Processes, Techniques and Supervision in Therapeutic Recreation. 3 credits.

Exploration of processes and techniques used in Therapeutic Recreation, with a focus on the nature and diversity of recreation and leisure activities, modalities and interventions, facilitation techniques and approaches, leadership roles and tasks, communication skills, clinical supervision, health and safety considerations, and the impact of the impairment and/or treatment on the individual. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PRLS 327^C.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 418: Assessment in Therapeutic Recreation. 3 credits.

Presents methods of assessment, development of treatment program plans, and evaluation of all components. Extends program design by developing competencies in the planning approaches, individual and group assessment techniques, program evaluation, and documentation strategies for people with disabilities and illness. Notes: Field experience required. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisite: PRLS 327^D.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 460: Sport and Recreation Law. 3 credits.

Emphasizes safety, liability, and risk. Covers current law and liability issues for administrators of RHT facilities and programs. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 480: Special Topics in Recreation Management. 1-3 credits.

Selected topics reflecting interest in specialized areas of parks and outdoor recreation or therapeutic recreation. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 60 credits.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

PRLS 490: Recreation Management Internship. 12 credits.

Consecutive weeks in an agency for a minimum 10-15 weeks of 30-40 hours weekly (400 total hours-parks and outdoor recreation) and (560 total hours-therapeutic recreation supervised by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist). Applies course work, theories, and research to an agency site chosen by the student after approval by Internship Coordinator. Includes meetings and assignments before and during internship. Note: Mandatory internship meeting attendance required before registration and CPR and AED certification required by start of class. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Mason Core: Capstone

Registration Restrictions:

Required Prerequisites: PRLS 210^D, 310^C, 323^C, 316^C, 410^C, SRST 200^D, PRLS 323^C, 241^D and 317^C.
^D Requires minimum grade of D.
^C Requires minimum grade of C.

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior Plus or Senior.

Enrollment is limited to students with a concentration in Parks and Outdoor Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation.

Schedule Type: Internship

Grading:
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.

PRLS 499: Independent Study. 1-3 credits.

Individual study of topic area in leisure research, theory, or practice under direction of faculty. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. Limited to three attempts.

Recommended Prerequisite: 90 credits.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Health Education, Health, Fitness Rec Resrcs, Individualized Study, Nursing, Physical Education (Special), Physical Education or Parks, Rec, Leisure Studies.

Washington Consortium level students may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Independent Study

Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

500 Level Courses

PRLS 501: Introduction to Natural Resources Law. 3 credits.

Selected legal issues involving conflicting use and preservation demands on our nation's limited natural resource base, particularly those involving public lands, open space, and recreation resources. Uses case studies of recent court decisions. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Related Course

Recommended Prerequisite: PRLS 460.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 503: Administration and Disability Rights in Therapeutic Recreation. 3 credits.

Overview of major law and policy issues related to therapeutic recreation services for people with disabilities. Primary focus is on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal legislation. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Recommended Prerequisite: PRLS 460.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 526: Environmental Education and Resource Interpretation. 3 credits.

Provides methods for communicating and disseminating information pertaining to the use of natural recreation resources. Covers design and implementation of educational materials and programs to enhance understanding and appreciation of cultural, historical, and natural resources. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 531: Natural Resources Recreation Planning. 3 credits.

Origins and evolution of recreation use philosophy, policies, and service of public estate management. Examines planning for a spectrum of opportunities, from wilderness to developed sites, with attention to financial consideration and sustainable use of cultural and visual resources. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Focused Course

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 533: Visitor Services. 3 credits.

Examines motivation of resource-based recreation participants. Covers visitors' expectations and perceptions, with emphasis on implication for service quality, staff training, and other management responsibilities. Discusses use and user conflicts and placement, information and interpretive service, and human and other interpretive service resources. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 535: Evaluating Recreation Outcomes. 3 credits.

Covers application of quantitative and qualitative research methods to the evaluation of programs provided to visitors and users of public lands for outdoor recreation. Focuses on needs assessment and application of meaningful measures for formative and summative evaluations. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 598: Special Topics. 1-6 credits.

Projects related to parks, recreation, and leisure studies. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 599: Independent Study. 1-3 credits.

Study of a problem area in parks, recreation, and leisure studies research; theory or practice under the direction of faculty member. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 3 credits.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Independent Study

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

600 Level Courses

PRLS 601: History of Leisure and Sport in American Society. 3 credits.

Examines leisure and sport in American society from the early colonial period to the present day. Investigates the pattern of leisure and sport as America moved from a largely agrarian to a highly industrialized nation. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 610: Recreation Administration and Planning. 3 credits.

Examines recreational administration concepts regarding organizational structure and operations, personnel management, financing, policy development, and public relations procedures. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 611: Social Psychology of Leisure. 3 credits.

Addresses historical, theoretical, and empirical foundations of social psychological constructs relative to social behavior in park, recreation, sport, and tourism settings. Focuses on attitudinal, social, and motivational theories as applied to leisure-related contexts. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 612: Philosophy of Leisure and Sport. 3 credits.

Investigates the phenomenon of leisure and sport from a philosophical perspective. Utilizes the philosophical approach to better explain the role that leisure and sport play in American society. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 613: Strategic Leadership in Recreation Administration. 3 credits.

Focuses on strategic leadership in recreation administration necessitated by demographic, social, political, and legal challenges; addresses organizational culture, positive leadership, innovation, partnerships, data-driven decision making, and accountability. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Seminar

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 614: Legal Issues in Recreation Administration. 3 credits.

Surveys current legal issues relevant to Recreation Administration, including, but not limited to, tort law, civil rights law, employment law, constitutional law, and copyright law. This course uses case studies of recent court decisions. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

PRLS 670: Environmental Law. 3 credits.

Focuses on interpretation of environmental laws and regulatory issues. Emphasizes critical evaluation of alternatives to unresolved issues in environmental policies involving endangered species, hazardous waste, and toxic substances. Offered by Recreation, Health & Tourism. May not be repeated for credit.

Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture

Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.