Course Description

Introduction to lifetime activities not traditionally offered in academic programs. Emphasis is placed on personal growth, leadership skills, and teamwork in outdoor recreational settings (i.e. Angling, orienteering, canoeing, archery, rock climbing, tent camping, etc.). The course will examine history, philosophy, theory, professional standards, and individual skill acquisition. We will meet in either Bridwell Hall, Room 209, the Outdoor Recreation Center, and the Bartley Branch YMCA

Instructor Class Policies

CITATION AND REFERENCE STYLE

Students will follow the APA Style Manual, 7th Edition as 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

THREE THEN ME RULE

Before contacting me, make sure to follow the “Three then Me” rule. The “Three then Me” rule says that you search for your answer regarding the course in at least three other places before you contact me. For example, if you have a question about an assignment, you should consult your syllabus, your grading scale or rubric, or the assignment description on D2L, you can also reach out to a peer in the course for needed information.

Remember, check three sources before emailing me your question. It is very likely you’ll find the answer and not need to email me. If you don’t find the answer, and need clarification, feel free to email me

Please note: By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a “limited right” in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The “limited right” shall include, but shall not be limited to, the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality and authenticity, and for educational purposes.

Plagiarism Statement

“By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a ‘limited right’ in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The ‘limited right’ shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality, authenticity, and educational purposes.”

Student Handbook-2024-2025

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 “silenced (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.

Homework

All assignments, unless otherwise stated in the individual instructions, are required to be submitted as a Word document using the APA 7^th Ed formatting standards. Any submissions in a different format will be returned to the student and not graded until it is submitted in the correct format. This could cause the student to incur a 5-point deduction per day for late submissions. Any assignment can be submitted before the due date. Late assignments will not be accepted (see Late Work section). Do not wait until the last minute on any of your work!! Due dates will be shared in the D@L platform and/or in class.

Grammar will be graded as part of any submitted work. All work should be in your own words! Format – FOR ALL PAPERS: 12-point Times New Roman font, one (1) inch margins, and doubled-spaced. The title (cover page) should include the following information (Page number, title of paper, name of author, university and department name, full course name & number, instructor name, and assignment due date). *See individual assignments for more detail. If assignments are submitted as a PDF, notes, Google, etc. will not be graded until submitted in the correct format and receive a 5-point/day deduction for being late from the date returned to the student by the professor.

I will give feedback on assignments when appropriate, including comments through “news items”, comments directly in the discussion board, and comments to the feedback box associated with each assignment submitted to Drop box. Please take the time to read these comments as I am taking the time to make them.

Attendance

Students are expected to attend classes in which they are enrolled. The required camping trip dates will be provided to the students the first or second week of class to share with their other professors, coaches, and employers. Although students are graded on intellectual effort and performance rather than attendance, absences may lower the student’s grade where class attendance and class participation are deemed essential by the faculty member. Attendance will be recorded each day the class meets.

Students are expected to attend and engage in class activities and discussions. 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.

If a student has excessive absences, they may be dropped from the course.

Late Work

Students are expected to submit in-class and online assignments by the posted due date and to complete the course according to the published class schedule. As adult 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.

Make Up Work/Tests

Unless pre-approved, students will not be allowed to make up missed assignments and tests.

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.

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.

Pregnant and parenting students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive support and resources from the Student Engagement and Title IX Offices. Support and resources may include early registration, personal financial support, parenting development resources, lactation rooms, and healthcare resources. For more information, visit the  Parenting Students Website or contact the Parenting Liaison Ruby Garret at  ruby.garrett@msutexas.edu or call 940-397-4500.