Course Description

    This course introduces students to the general principles and practices in the recreation and leisure segment of the sport industry. Students will gain a general understanding and appreciation of career options that they will be prepared for as they complete the Sport and Leisure Studies major. The course will examine history, philosophy, theory, professional standards, basic management principles and concepts, industry trends and best practices.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Course Competencies

Satisfactory completion of the course will document that students have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Gain knowledge of the history of sport & leisure.
2. Gain knowledge of professional standards within the sport and leisure industry.
3. Gain knowledge of career and professional opportunities through the sport and leisure service field.  
4. Develop a professional philosophy for working in the field of sport and leisure studies.

Gain knowledge about trends and best practices used in the field of sport and leisure studies.

CITATION AND REFERENCE STYLE

Students will follow the APA Style Manual, 7th edition will be the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework to the University. Assignments completed in a narrative essay or composition format must follow the citation used in the APA Style Manual, 7th Edition. The MSU writing lab is available to all MSU students Writing Center

Desire-to-Learn (D2L)

Extensive use of the MSU D2L program is a part of this course. Each student is expected to be familiar with this program as it provides a primary source of communication regarding assignments, examination materials, and general course information. You can log into D2L through the MSU Homepage. If you experience difficulties, please contact the technicians listed for the program or contact your instructor.

Online Computer Requirements

Taking this class requires you to have access to a computer (with Internet access) to complete and upload your assignments as directed. It is your responsibility to have (or have access to) a working computer in this class. Assignments and tests are due by the due date, and personal computer technical difficulties will not be considered a reason for the instructor to allow students extra time to submit assignments, tests, or discussion postings. Computers are available on campus in various areas of the buildings as well as the Academic Success Center. Your computer being down is not an excuse for missing a deadline!! There are many places to access your class portal. Our MSUTexas class portal can be accessed from any computer in the world that is connected to the internet. Contact your instructor immediately upon having computer trouble. If you have technical difficulties in the course, there is also a student helpdesk available to you. The college cannot work directly on student computers due to both liability and resource limitations; however, they are able to help you get connected to our online services. For help, log into D2L.

Students are expected to attend and engage in class activities and discussions. When class discussions, group and table learning activities are presented, individual participation is advantageous. Class engagement is evaluated each day & worth a total of 75 points as part of your overall grade. If a student is absent, they will lose 3 points for that day.

Cell Phone Policy

In accordance with Texas House Bill (HB) 1481, the Prohibition on Student Use of Personal Communication Devices on School Property During the School Day, I (Dr. Shawver) am instituting a prohibition on student use of cell phones during a face-to-face class that is unrelated to individual lectures, activities, or assignments per the professor.

Multiple studies have documented the harmful effects of cell phone and social media use on student well-being and academic progress. As a result, Texas law requires public schools to prohibit the use of personal communication devices during the school day on school property. This policy is adopted to implement this requirement and improve the quality of the learning environment in our schools.

Hence, (READ THIS TWICE, PLEASE), there are NO cell phones permitted to be out and/or in my (or your) sight in this class. This class requires your engagement, and cell phones serve to detract from that engagement. Additionally, your phone should not only be put away, but also on “silent” (NOTE: vibrate is NOT silent). If your phone is out and/or in sight, you will be asked to put it away. If it is not, you will be given one warning. After that, if it is still out and/or in sight, you will lose 10 points off of your FINAL grade for each infraction. Should your phone ring/vibrate during class, you are dismissed for the day. You are to silence it immediately,\ and quietly leave the class session. You will be counted absent for the session. Failure to adhere to this will result in more stringent disciplinary action.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS

Students are expected to submit classroom assignments by the posted due date and to complete the course according to the published class schedule. As adults, students, and working professionals, I understand you must manage competing demands on your time. Should you need additional time to complete an assignment, please contact me a minimum of 72 hours before the due date so we can discuss the situation and determine an acceptable resolution. Unless pre-approved, late assignment submissions will not be accepted/graded.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination 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 Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.