Texas A&M University Graduate Catalog 2004-2005 Edition

D. E. Albrecht, J. L. Crompton, R. B. Ditton, J. H. Gramann, U. Gretzel, L. Hodges, T. B. Jamal, R. A. Kaiser, G. Kyle, W. A. McIntosh, S. K. Nepal, J. T. O'Leary (Head), J. F. Petrick, M. Schuett, D. Scott, C. S. Shafer, E. Sirakaya, A. Skadberg, A. Stronza-Rojas, G. Theodori, J. K. Thomas, C. C. Torres, C. E. Watts, P.A.Witt*

* Graduate Advisor

Graduate course offerings in the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences are designed to generate and disseminate knowledge concerning the development, management and sustainable use of recreation, park and tourism resources and opportunities. The focus of the program is on the relationships between people, recreational and tourism developments and the natural resource base. The curriculum has three main areas of emphasis: recreation and park administration; recreation and natural resources management; and tourism. The first emphasis deals primarily with the public sector, while the third deals primarily with the private sector. Recreation and natural resource management involves both sectors.

Graduate study in these areas is interdisciplinary. Cooperative relationships exist with a wide range of outstanding graduate-level programs in the University. This provides students with an opportunity to structure an individualized program of study in the field of their choice. Courses selected within the department and in supporting fields are designed to serve the individual needs of students interested in teaching, public service, research, and administration of recreation, park and tourism developments.

The Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences offers courses of study leading to the Master of Recreation and Resources Development; Master of Natural Resources Development; Master of Science (thesis and non-thesis) and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in recreation, park and tourism sciences. The MRRD is a professional degree with a major in Recreation and Resources Development for those who are already working in or anticipate a career in professional service. The MNRD with a major in Natural Resources Development is identical in intent and general requirements to those for the MRRD; however, more emphasis is placed on undertaking an interdisciplinary mix of course work from other natural resources programs at Texas A&M University. The MS thesis degree prepares students for advanced graduate study at the PhD level, which often leads to a career in university research and teaching. The MS non-thesis degree emphasizes professional development. It includes additional courses in the student's selected field instead of a thesis. Non-thesis MRRD, MNRD and MS students may elect a professional internship.

(RPTS)

601. Interrelationships of Recreation and Leisure Concepts. (3-0). Credit 3.

History and philosophy of the field of recreation and parks; fundamentals of planning, development and management of resources allocated for recreation, parks and tourism purposes; development of the recreation movement with broad treatment of the role of recreation and parks in contemporary society.

602. Social Science Foundations of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. (3-0). Credit3.

Sociological and social psychological dimensions of leisure, recreation and related behavior; nature and function of leisure for individuals and for society; implications for development and management of recreation resources. Prerequisite: RPTS 601 or previous academic background in recreation and parks.

603. Financing and Marketing Park and Recreation Resources. (3-0). Credit 3.

Positioning park and recreation services; traditional and non-traditional sources of financing for developing services and facilities; philosophy and techniques of marketing services and facilities.

606. Overview of Tourism. (3-0). Credit 3.

Introduction to the field of tourism sciences, and an overview of the scale and scope of the industry and business of tourism; the cooperative and dynamic nature of decision-making in tourism; the contributions made by various disciplines towards understanding the consequences of tourism trade and activity; and identification of critical issues in the study of travel and tourism.

609. Social, Economic and Cultural Issues in Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources. (3-0). Credit 3.

Survey of socio-economic and cultural characteristics impinging on provision of outdoor recreation opportunities in urban and non-urban settings; implications of social and cultural factors on recreation resource use patterns, resource development and policy issues.

615. Analytic Techniques in Recreation, Parks and Tourism. (3-0). Credit 3.

Analysis of current research; instruments and adaptive techniques used in the selection and formulation of research problems.

616. Tourism Economics. (2-3). Credit 3.

Introduction to tourism economics including: tourism consumption and demand analysis; operating and capital budgeting; measurement of economic impacts through input/output analysis; forecasting; project management through PERT/CPM; decision making under uncertainty; benefit/cost analysis. Prerequisites: RPTS 606 and STAT 651 or approval of instructor.

626. Social Impacts of Tourism. (2-3). Credit 3.

Analysis of social, cultural and political impacts associated with travel behavior and tourism development, emphasizing a case study approach; theories and methods for assessing individual, community and organization impacts at local and regional levels; host/guest interactions; evaluation of processes of tourism planning and decision-making; and qualitative and quantitative measures for assessing social impacts. Prerequisite: RPTS 606 or approval of instructor.

646. Heritage Tourism. (3-0). Credit 3.

Comprises a transdisciplinary examination of contemporary research and practice in heritage tourism and public culture; students encouraged to deploy a variety of disciplinary outlooks to explore the representation of peoples, places and pasts in a range of settings from the indigenous/sacred to the postindustrial/post colonial.

666. Tourism and the Natural Environment. (3-0). Credit 3.

Environmental and natural resource issues in tourism development and travel activity; philosophical issues in nature based- and eco-tourism; sustainable development and tourism; assessment of environmental impacts at macro and micro scales; integrating values into allocation, planning and management of tourism use of natural resources; the role of tourism in the stewardship of ecosystems. Prerequisite: RPTS 606 or approval of instructor.

681. Seminar. (1-0). Credit 1.

Preparation and discussion by students of special reports, topics and research data in recreation and parks; presentation of subjects of professional significance by staff members and invited speakers.

684. Professional Internship. Credit 1 to 4.

Survey and application of principles of recreation and resources development; selected aspects of park and recreation management in professional setting within an approved recreation/park agency under the supervision of a member of the graduate faculty.

685. Directed Studies. Credit 1 to 4 each semester.

Investigations not included in student's research for thesis or dissertation; problems selected in administration or management, recreation or planning.

689. Special Topics in... Credit 1 to 4.

Selected topics in an identified area of recreation and resources development. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Approval of department head.

691. Research. Credit 1 or more each semester.

Research in recreation and resources development for thesis or dissertation.

693. Professional Study. Credit 1 to 9.

Approved research or professional paper undertaken as the terminal requirement for the Master of Science Non-Thesis or Natural Resources Development. May be taken more than once, but not to exceed 3 hours credit towards a degree. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor.