Case Studies in Parks & Recreation
SMGT720
The overall objective of the course is to provide a broad survey of the roles of parks and recreation in our global society. We will focus primarily on issues related to the management of wild-lands (national parks and forests) as an environment for outdoor recreation.
Current and historical relationships between recreation visitors, the resource base, and management policies are explored within the United States and as a global phenomenon. Additionally, issues related to recreation planning on multiple-use forest lands, parks, wilderness, protected areas and private lands are discussed. Understanding these roles provides the necessary intellectual footing to professional development and conveys to others how we got to where we are. More specifically, the course is designed to address the following questions:
1. How do societies view the evolving roles and purpose of recreational spaces?
2. How does recreation make a difference to our social, individual, & environmental lives?
3. What types of recreation opportunities and experiences are valued in American society?
4. What forms and structures does recreation and tourism take, domestically and internationally?
5. What are the fundamental issues associated with managing visitors to wild-land settings and how do we address those issues?
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