Course Description

This is a 3-credit course culminating in a week-long field experience held in conjunction with four other universities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The purpose of the Outdoor Recreation Consortium is to provide students with hands-on exposure to outdoor recreation resources management in a major National Park facing complex challenges.  It is designed to increase students' understanding and appreciation of outdoor recreation resources, the agencies managing those resources, the management strategies used, and the factors affecting management, including issues related to the nearby “gateway communities” and the park’s broader environment.  The course format is one which focuses on problem solving, encourages a high level of interaction among participating students, faculty, and managers, and gives participants an opportunity to connect with nature. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES
Park Resources and Experiences

1. To expose participants to and improve their knowledge and appreciation of the resources and experiences available in Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GRSM)

Management of Natural Resources and Recreation Opportunities

1. To improve knowledge and appreciation of the recreational use, programs, facilities, management and operations of GRSM as well as those in its “Gateway Communities.”
2. To increase understanding of natural resource management, ecosystem management, outdoor recreation, tourism, visitor management, and the relationships among them.
3. To identify ways and means of effective governmental agency, private sector, and nonprofit organization cooperation in park management.
4. To improve understanding of the challenges and opportunities that can emerge in relationships between parks and their "gateway communities."

Problem Solving

1. To provide opportunities to work on practical solutions to park-related challenges and to share those solutions with other participants.
2. To identify areas of research and professional practice that could assist the National Park Service in GRSM.

Career Development

1. To enable participants to identify and explore job opportunities with park and natural resource-related agencies.
2. To provide an atmosphere that encourages interaction among students from the five participating universities, between students and faculty, and between students and managers.
3. To provide opportunities to develop relationships with professionals, other students, and faculty that can be called upon later in the participants’ careers.

COURSE READINGS
The course text is:

National Park Service (1981).  Great Smoky Mountains (National Park Service Handbook 112).  Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Interior.

It is available at the campus bookstore for around $10.  The course will also utilize a series of current articles that will be provided as well as a group of related web sites.

The website for our hosts (Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont) can be accessed at: http://gsmit.org.  A list of other relevant web sites will be distributed during the course.

COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE
1/18 – Course overview and objectives and review of course syllabus

1/25 – No class

2/1 – Overview of National Park Service and other selected resource management agencies.  Basic principles of visitor management and natural resource planning and management.  (Supplemental Reading)

2/8 – History, resources, programs, facilities, operations and management philosophy of GRSM.  (Part 1 of Great Smoky Mountains)

2/15 – National Park “gateway communities" (Part 2 of Great Smoky Mountains and Supplemental Readings)

2/22 – Governmental agency, private sector, and nonprofit sector cooperation in park management.  (Part 2 of Great Smoky Mountains and Supplemental Readings)

2/29 – Current issues, research and professional practice related to GRSM in its programs.  (Supplemental Readings)

3/1 – Current issues, research and professional practice related to GRSM in its programs.  (Supplemental Readings)

3/8 – Committee updates and preliminary presentations by student Track Teams. Final Trip Logistics and Preparations

3/15 – TAMU Spring Break

3/20 thru 3/26 - Outdoor Recreation Consortium Trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

4/5 – Course wrap-up, conclusions and evaluation.  (All written assignments due at beginning of this class)

Evaluation
1.  Students will submit a journal including a summary of events during the Consortium trip itself.  The journal must be kept up daily while on the trip and must include notes on activities and presentations attended.  Include names and titles of presenters; summaries of key points; and your observations, reactions, and reflections.  (25%)

2.  Students will actively and constructively participate in committees preparing for various aspects of the Consortium trip and will submit a summary of their committee involvement including comments on what was accomplished, challenges faced and how they were addressed.  The committee report should also contain specific suggestions on how future Consortium committees can more effectively accomplish their responsibilities.  (20%)

3.  Class preparation (including completion of readings and attendance at all Consortium sessions during the trip itself) is required.  Punctuality at all sessions (including meals while on the trip) is expected.  (20%)

4.  Peer evaluation of the extent and quality of the student's contribution to the Consortium and their representation of TAMU at GSMIT.  (10%)

5.  In place of a final examination, students will prepare and submit a final paper offering their insights related to the Consortium (including the “Interest Track” they participate in during the Wednesday of the Consortium).  In particular, the paper will focus on the most pressing challenges facing Great Smoky Mountain National Park and its nearby "Gateway Communities.”  The paper should draw heavily on material gathered during the Consortium and course readings and offer specific suggestions on how to meet the challenges identified.  (25%)

The Consortium journal, committee reports, and final paper are due at the beginning of the final class meeting.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Course participants are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of $50 by the first class meeting in February.

Course participants are required to pay all remaining consortium fees prior to departure for the Great Smokies.

In addition to poor performance on the evaluation criteria noted above, the following would constitute why a consortium participant would not successfully pass this course:

Failure to comply with the rules and regulations established by the consortium faculty.  (Outlined in detail in the "Commitment to Expedition Behavior" and during the pre-consortium class meetings.)

Negligence which could lead to injury of any consortium participant.

GRADING AND RELATED POLICIES
The following grading policy will be in effect:

A=90-100 points
B=80-89.9 points
C=70-79.9 points
D=60-69.9 points
F<60 points

Attendance/Participation Policy
You are expected to attend class, arrive on time, and participate while there.  Unexcused absences are not permitted.  Each unexcused class absence will result in a 5 percentage point reduction in the student’s final grade.  When I take roll it is recorded at the beginning of class.  Those not present at that time are considered absent for that class.  Participation is expected in class discussions and any assigned field experiences.  Quality of participation is more important than quantity. 

Assignment Policy: 
All assignments must be turned in at the start of class on the day due.  Permission must be obtained in advance to turn in any assignment late.  Grades for late assignments will be marked down 10% for each day late.  I check my voice mail and e-mail regularly when I am not in the office.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement:
The following ADA Policy Statement (part of the Policy on Individual Disabling Conditions) was submitted to the University Curriculum Committee by the Department of Student Life. The policy statement was forwarded to the Faculty Senate for information. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Room B118 of Cain Hall or call 845-1637.

Academic Integrity :Aggie Honor Code
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”

Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the Texas A&M University community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit: www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/

On all course work, assignments, and examinations at Texas A&M University, the following Honor Pledge shall be preprinted and signed by the student:

“On my honor, as an Aggie, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this academic work.”
Cheating encompasses the following:

1. The willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized, unfair, dishonest, or unscrupulous advantage in academic work over other students.
2. The above may be accomplished by any means whatsoever, including but not limited to the following: fraud; duress; deception; theft; trick; talking; signs; gestures; copying from another student; and the unauthorized use of study aids, memoranda, books, data, or other information.
3. Attempted cheating.

Plagiarism encompasses the following:

1. Presenting as one's own the words, the work, or the opinions of someone else without proper acknowledgment.
2. Borrowing the sequence of ideas, the arrangement of material, or the pattern of thought of someone else without proper acknowledgment. 

Depending on the severity of the indiscretion, cheating and plagiarism may result in automatic course failure.