Rls 4301 by Mark Mullert

RLS 4301 | Outdoor Education Spring 2013

Instructor: Classroom: Office: Office Hrs: Email: Phone:

Mark Mullert, M.S. Marrs McLean McLane Student Life Center- Rm. 318 by appointment Mark_Mullert@baylor.edu (254) 710-7606

REQUIRED TEXT Gilbertson, K. et al. (2006). Outdoor Education: Methods and Strategies. Human Kinetics. Louv, R. (2008). Last Child in the Woods. Algonquin Books.

COURSE DESCRIPTION Whether they are professional or leisurely, voluntary or mandatory, you will spend a significant portion of your life interacting with and participating in groups. Thus, this course is designed to strengthen your understanding of how communication affects your experience in small groups. Our goal is to become more competent communicators in these settings. By the end of the semester, you should be able to:  Identify key theories and concepts concerning Outdoor Education  Effectively plan and participate in group meetings and presentations  To become aware of the theoretical and conceptual foundations of Outdoor Education as it relates to Leisure, Leisure Behavior, Health, Wellness and Fitness.  To demonstrate and practice outdoor education principles to school age children  To develop curriculum projects based on outdoor education topics.  To appreciate the use of non-traditional nature classrooms and experiential activities as a medium for transferring learning.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS & POLICIES Attendance: As university policy states, you must attend at least 75% of class periods. Failure to meet this requirement will automatically result in a failing grade. In other words, upon your 11th absence (for MWF classes), you will fail the course, as university policy mandates – no exceptions. As a word of advice, although you are technically allowed 10 absences missing the maximum amount of classes allowed is strongly discouraged. Students who attend class regularly tend to earn better grades, plain and simple.  Because this class highly focuses on group involvement and participation, attendance is particularly important!  As it regards types of absences, please be aware that an absence is an absence, no matter what the reason. University-related absences and absences due to illness/family emergencies COUNT when tallying absence totals.  However, if you miss class because of a university-sanctioned activity or illness and you provide me with official written documentation (legitimate doctor’s note, official school excuse, etc.), you will be allowed to make up individual work you may have missed on the day of your absence. Make-up work must be turned in to me no later than one week following the normal turn-in date. After this point, make-up work will not be accepted.  Please be aware that excessive tardiness or leaving class early will be counted as absences. In this class, a total of 3 tardies and/or early departures will be counted as 1 absence.  On a lighter note, “perfect attendance” (0 absences) will be rewarded with 15 points of bonus credit! “Almost-perfect attendance” (1 absence) will be rewarded with 10 points of bonus credit. “I-tried-prettyhard attendance” (2 absences) will be rewarded with 5 points of bonus credit. Preparedness: It is your responsibility to come to class with the readings and assignments completed. When a chapter or article is listed on the schedule, it is your responsibility to come to class having already read the assigned passage(s). As it regards group work, it is your responsibility to come to class prepared to fulfill your assigned role and contribute to your group. Class participation will be graded with 5 points per class. There are 42 classes, for 210 total participation points. If you arrive late or leave early you will not get participation credit, if you are absent you will not get participation credit, if you sit in the back of the room and pretend to be listening, but are updating your Facebook status, you will not get participation credit. Participation: This is an interactive course and your input is highly valued! Each student is expected to come to class ready and willing to participate (verbally) in the class discussion and (physically) in outdoor activities. This includes capably answering questions asked by the instructor and voluntarily adding content to the day’s discussion via comments, stories, etc. as well as actively participating in the Outdoor Education activities. Not only will this kind of class contribution stimulate your learning, but others will benefit from hearing your thoughts, reactions, and insights. Respect: Because of the interactive nature of this class, I demand that you exercise the utmost respect for your classmates. It is perfectly acceptable to express opposing viewpoints and provide constructive criticism, but it is not acceptable to insult, ridicule, or disregard one another. Additionally, just as I expect you to show respect for your peers, I also expect respect towards class itself. Respect of this nature includes:  Listening attentively to the instructor and to others  Staying awake in class; 2

     

Saving other studying/reading/homework for later; Not coming to class hung over or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; Avoiding inappropriate or foul language; Turning your cell phone to “off” or “silent” for the duration of the class (vibrate is not silent!); Refraining from texting during class (I will not hesitate to confiscate your phone until the end of class); Avoiding whispering to others and/or passing notes

*Blatant disregard for the respect policies of this class will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and may include point deductions in the area of Class Participation. Personal Note: It is important to me that you have a positive, enjoyable experience in this course. I am aware that everyone will not enjoy every aspect of this course, but I do expect us to treat each other with dignity and respect all of the time. In all aspects of the course, emphasis will be placed on treating each other with courtesy, kindness, and support. Please bring your appropriate sense of humor; that is a house rule. One of my goals is for my classroom to be a place where friends come together to learn. Open thought and discussion are encouraged. My classroom is a place where you can feel free to learn facts and explore concepts and ideas. We will not always agree; we will view things in different ways. I do not expect us to always think alike -- what is important is that you think, contribute, and respect each other. Student Responsibility & Accountability: As your instructor, I am always here to help. But it is your responsibility to take advantage of this resource. Take initiative to ask any and all questions you have about readings, lectures, assignments, etc…. and avoid waiting until the last minute to do so. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed. If you are late to class, it is your responsibility to make sure I have counted you present. You are the master or your destiny in this class, not I. This class will be outside on some days. Please come prepared to go outside and learn in nature. We may sit in the grass. You may want to bring something to sit on- jacket, blanket, stadium chair. Flip-flops are discouraged. Late Work: This is a 4000 level course and because of that, I expect you to perform at a higher level than freshmen. Late work will not be accepted. You either have the work in class or you don’t; it’s either turned in on time or it’s not. No exceptions. Emailing it to me after class is not an option. Dropping it off at my office by 5:00 o’clock is not an option. In light of this policy, be intentional about having your work ready to go well before class time. For example, printer problems happen – so avoid the tendency to print 10 minutes before class starts. Important Note: As mentioned previously in the section on attendance, the only work that can be made-up is work that is missed due to an official school-related absence or illness (if accompanied by documentation). Academic Integrity: Plagiarism is the act of representing, either directly or indirectly, and without proper source documentation, someone else’s work as your own. This ranges from assignments to quizzes to exams. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and students caught participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be removed from the course and will be receive a “F.” It will also result in notification of the Communication Studies department chair, the appropriate dean of your college or school, and the Office of Academic Integrity. For a complete description of Baylor’s Honor Code Policy & Procedures, please refer to: http://www.baylor.edu/honorcode/

COURSE WORK Readings: Throughout the semester, you will regularly be assigned to read chapters from the textbook. Occasionally you will also be assigned to read an academic journal article which will be provided to you on Blackboard or hardcopy in class. As previously mentioned, it is your responsibility to come to class having 3

already read the assigned passage(s) listed for that day. Important Note: Being prepared to discuss chapter/article content in class contributes to your class participation grade (see section on Class Participation below). Additionally, the content of the exams will be taken primarily from the readings, so you would be advised to stay on top of these readings. Seeing the material for the first time as you’re cramming for the test isn’t the best route to an A grade. Examinations: There will be three tests in this course. Two tests during the semester and a final exam. Exams may consist of multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, or essay questions. The content of the exams may be drawn from readings, lectures, and class activities. Please Note: the final exam is NOT cumulative. We will make time in class for a brief exam review the class period before your test and Final. The tests are worth 100 points each and the Final is worth 130 points. Group Project: You will be placed in a 4-6 member group within the first few weeks of the semester. There will be various assignments within this project, all of which involve performing as a group to complete the work. This will culminate in an assignment that involves a group presentation. Detailed information about each assignment will be provided to you as the semester progresses. We may not all love group work, but this is a hands-on way to observe and practice the concepts of this course. The group project is worth 100 points total (group presentation = 50 points; group participation = 50 points each). Group Participation: Towards the end of the semester, each student will complete a participation grade sheet for all the members of their group. Each student’s participation grade is determined by the evaluations of the others in the group, meaning you always want to do your best as a group member! These evaluations will serve to illustrate how involved you were in the group and assess your overall contribution to the group. Group participation is worth 50 points.  If while working on your project it is obvious that a certain group member is not pulling his or her weight, (i.e., the social loafer or “slacker”), your group can decide unanimously to “fire” this individual from the group. If your group decides to fire someone, this must be decided and submitted to me by Friday, April 5th. Remember, normal group functioning usually involves some conflict and potential personality differences; these conflicts are normally resolvable, so please use this option only as a last resort when no other means of resolution or confrontation have been successful.  Getting fired is very undesirable. Should you be fired from your group, you will automatically receive a 0/50 in the area of “Group Participation.” In addition to this penalty, you will be required to turn in an 8-10 page paper regarding an aspect of Outdoor Education that I designate. This paper will require a detailed source list, including scholarly journal articles. Class Participation: Class Participation involves coming to class, actively participating in class activities, upholding the respect policies listed previously, showcasing a positive attitude towards class in general, and verbally engaging and contributing to class discussion. (see attendance policy). Class participation is worth 210 points.

GRADING Grading Methods: This course is graded using a point system in which you accumulate points over the entire semester. The grading is not based on averages or percentages, just points. Your final grade is determined by dividing your total tally of points (which includes any extra credit points) by the total number of possible points (which excludes extra credit). Refer to grading scale below for specifics. Posting of Grades: All grades will be posted to Blackboard and can be accessed by logging in to http://my.baylor.edu. Please keep up with your grades here; there is no reason you should have to ask me how you are doing in the course – all the information will be available for your calculation, at your convenience. Discussion of Grades: Students may discuss a graded assignment within 1 week of the grade being posted to Blackboard. Students wishing to do so must arrange a time outside of class to visit with me. If you are contesting a grade, please be prepared to provide a clear rationale for why the grade should be reconsidered (“I deserve it” 4

is not a sufficient claim). After 7 calendar days, a grade may not be contested. Important Note: This course is a no-complain zone! While I am always open to hearing your concerns and discussing relevant class issues, I do not entertain complaining or whining. Curves/Extra Credit:  I do not curve exams or assignments, so do not anticipate this.  I do offer extra credit opportunities from time to time. Any extra credit points you earn are simply added to your running tally of points.  My grading scale is more generous than Baylor’s official grading scale. At the end of the semester, do not ask or expect to be bumped up to the next highest letter grade if you are a few points shy. Assignment Points/Grading Scale (Non-Negotiable):

Points will be accumulated over the course of the semester. Points will be given for the following tasks:

Maximum points Class Attendance, Participation and Contribution

210

Group project

100

Literature Reviews, 20 pts. Each (5)

100

Book Review

Tests, 100 pts. each

200

Final Exam

130 Total

800

Grades will be determined by the following scale:

Letter Grade

Points Earned

800-720

B+

688-719

640-687

C+

608-639

560-607

480-559

479 or less

ACADEMIC SUCCESS OALA: The Office of Access and Learning Accommodations (OALA) is a valuable tool for those with learning disabilities. Please contact their office at x3605 for questions regarding specific adjustments for test taking. It is your responsibility to contact the office, make arrangements, gather any necessary forms, and bring them to me to sign before test day (I cannot do any of this myself). Their office is located in the Paul L. Foster Success Center – Sid Richardson, Room 189. See http://www.baylor.edu/oala. Success Center: The Paul L. Foster Success Center also provides career counseling, career services, and advising. See www.baylor.edu/successcenter.

INSTRUCTOR INTERACTION My Role: I am always here to assist you with your progress in this course – I’m on your team. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not here to make your life miserable; instead, my goal is to provide an engaging, fun learning environment and equip you with practical principles you can apply outside the classroom! Please know that my office door is always open. Feel free to utilize my designated office hours or make an appointment to discuss any issues you might be having in the course. Contacting Me: Email is the best and quickest way to reach me. I will always attempt to reply in a prompt fashion. Due to the nature of my job, I may be away from the office Contacting You: Throughout the semester, I will communicate with you regularly via email regarding assignments and reminders. Blackboard will also be utilized for posting information, assignments, and grades. Please make it a habit of checking your designated email account and Blackboard on a regular basis.