Objectives
This two-year program is designed to provide students with a balanced theoretical and practical learning experience that includes a wide range of recreational skills for employment and careers in the recreational field. Students are encouraged to raise their level of awareness through continuous self-assessment of their attitudes, interests, abilities, and motivation as these attributes relate to a broadened understanding of the leisure and recreation movement. Graduates have found employment in municipal recreation and parks departments, private agencies (YM/YWCA's, Boys and Girls Clubs), senior citizens' centres, nursing/retirement homes, hospitals for the disabled, rehabilitation centers, correctional institutions, group homes, commercial recreation facilities, cruise ships and outdoor adventure programs.
Course description
Level One
COMM1850 Essential Writing Skills
Description: This course will introduce students to the essential concepts of grammar and sentence structure leading to effective college-level paragraph construction.
Hours: 15
Credits: 1
COMP2250 Computer Software Applications for Recreation and Leisure Services
Description: This course will demonstrate knowledge and understanding as well as provide hands-on practical experience in using specific computer software applications for the recreation and leisure industry. Emphasis will be placed on using Microsoft Word advanced features; Microsoft Excel to create various recreation budget models; Microsoft PowerPoint to create effective PowerPoint presentations; and a general understanding of electronic policy, procedures and etiquette in the use of an organiztion's email and web site tools. The focus on this section will be to introduce database management applications, using Microsoft Access along with a basic understanding of commercial recreation software applications specific to Facility Booking, Program Registration and Membership Tracking. Class exercises and a major project will demonstrate the student's knowledge and understanding of these three software applications.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
HEAL1020 Wellness: The Better You
Description: This course will introduce the students to the concept of wellness and provide practical strategies for developing a healthy lifestyle in all aspects of their lives. The students will, through lectures, group associations, practical experience and self-evaluation explore such issues as stress-management, self-responsibility, physical fitness, nutrition, social interaction, the relationship between feelings and thinking and the rationale for holistic health alternatives.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
PSYC1040 Developmental Psychology
Description: This course combines the numerous theories of human growth and development, as well as practical appliction of the material as it relates to the human services field. It includes physical, social, intellectual, emotional and behavioural development from the contest of both family and community. The course also examines unusual and abnormal development or behavioural patterns. One hour weekly seminars provide a human services related perspective to the material, each one focusing on a specific phase of the life span.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC1020 Financial Management
Description: The student will learn the principles of budgetary responsibility and management. Preparation, presentation and control of budgets will be studied. Pricing of programs and services, accounting procedures and the examination of a Revenue Management System are key components to this course.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC1070 Introduction To Recreation And Leisure Services
Description: This course is designed to provide an introduction to the field of recreation and leisure services. The learner will interpret philosophies and theories of recreation, play and leisure from a historical and emerging perspective. The benefits of recreation (personal, social, economic and environmental) will be investigated. The provision of recreation and leisure services as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle for individuals through the life cycle, and of varying needs, abilities and interests, will be examined. The learner will develop strategies for developing and responding to trends and issues impacting service provisions
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Level Two
COMM1320 Group Dynamics for Recreation
Description: This course is designed to provide the learner with the practical knowledge skills and abilities necessary to be proficient at oral communication. The course, facilitated through a co-operative learning approach, provides the learner with exposure to appropriate listening techniques, speaking interpersonal, intrapersonal, small group, and conflict management applications. The course will increase the student's awareness and understanding of public speaking (making a speech, presentations), and conflict resolution (mediation, negotiation, debate), all necessary tools and techniques to be an effective recreation and leisure practitioner.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
COMM1860 Applied Writing Skills
Description: Students will be introduced to a variety of vocationally-specific formats and further development of their paragraph writing skills leading to the creation of more comprehensive documents.
Hours: 15
Credits: 1
REC1030 Revenue Generation
Description: The focus of this course will be on researching and tapping alternative sources of revenue. Students will learn about the various types of fundraising; capital campaigns; writing funding requests to business, foundation and service club sources; gift guides; and how to complete grant applications.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC1055 Research Design And Evaluation
Description: The student will examine the principles and techniques for research. Issues concerning the development, administration and evaluation of data collection, as well as the processing and analysis of data will be discussed.
Hours: 30
Credits: 2
REC1080 Dynamics Of Leadership
Description: This course is designed to provide the learner with the knowledge, skills and practical applications required to lead or facilitate leisure activities. Leadership is an exciting component of the recreation practitioner's role. Learners are encouraged to integrate concepts and models of leadership theory with practical applications in the field of recreation.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC1090 Program Planning
Description: The students will gain an appreciation for the necessity of clear and complete planning for a recreation and leisure services organization. The importance of consumer involvement in needs assessments, the organization of administrative functions in order to carry out the plan, and the evaluation of data for analysis, policy making and program modification will be studied. The emphasis of this course is on a servant leadership approach to programming.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC1100 Professional Preparation Seminar
Description: This seminar course is designed to assist the learner in understanding the process related to and the value of Field Placement I & II. The learner will be made aware of the potential field placement opportunities and the role of the learner, the field preceptor and the faculty advisor in the placement experience. The course will also expose the learner to generic skills and knowledge essential to a positive placement experience.This course is mandatory for students who have commenced (or will commence) studies in the Recreation and Leisure Services part-time program after September 2005. Students cannot register for Field Placements I and II without having completed the Field Placement Preparation Seminar. The only exception to this policy is if a part-time student has extensive field work experience and is able to challenge both Field Placement I and II. In that case, the student will be allowed to complete an 'alternative' assignment for the Field Placement Preparation Seminar under the direction of the Program Co-ordinator. Permission to challenge both Field Placements I and II must be obtained from the Program Co-ordinator (Greg Burns 748-5220, ext. 3613 or gburns@conestogac.on.ca) a process which includes an in-depth review of previous work experience.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
Level Three
COMM2000 Advanced Writing Skills
Description: In conjunction with the student's specified vocational program course, students will be guided in the creation of a major writing project or assignment that is required by their vocational program course. Students will be introduced to fundamental research skills and assignment-specific vocational document formats.
Hours: 15
Credits: 1
LIBS1330 Volunteer Management
Description: This course stresses the skills necessary in working with volunteers particularly those which will give encouragement, support and guidance to individuals who give freely of their time and talents. Students will gain an appreciation of the increasing demand for recreationists who can competently work with volunteers.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2010 Community Development
Description: This course gives students an appreciation of the process of community development. Students will investigate the concept of community development and the roles of community development practitioners.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2030 Administration Of Recreation And Leisure Services
Description: The course deals with two significant areas of concern to the recreation and leisure services field. The first covers current strategies and techniques of management (policies and procedures; supervision; performance appraisals and collective bargaining). In the second part of the course the students will examine the purpose of and components contained in a variety of planning processes, with special emphasis on strategic planning.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2040 Marketing Of Recreation And Leisure Services
Description: Students will explore marketing concepts and methods available to public, commercial and private leisure service organizations. Topics include: various marketing philosophies, market research, market segmentation and marketing mix strategies related to programming, distributing, pricing and promoting leisure services.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2100 Special Event and Festival Planning
Description: The dynamic field of special event and festival management will be covered in this course. Topics include needs assessment and community research; event administration (human resources; finances; leadership); event co-ordination (contracts; on-site coordination; special services); marketing and sponsorship; risk management and legal issues; and event implementation and evaluation.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2120 Field Placement I
Hours: 160
Credits: 6
Pre-Requisites: REC1100
Level Four
CDEV2020 Career Enhancement
Description: This course is a self-directed learning experience. Students, after an in-depth interview and discussion with the course advisor, are expected to focus on a career choice. An independent learning plan proposal is to be developed that will outline various methods/actions that the student will implement to achieve the outcome of an in-depth study and examination of the preferred career option and its various advantages and disadvantages This could be completed by taking a specific course offered by the College; a series of interviews with field practitioners and follow-up reports; attending a series of workshops and/or training sessions specific to that career; a comprehensive research project; or any learning plan submitted and approved in consultation with the course advisor.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
CDEV2110 Career Development
Description: This course will enable the student to develop a systemic approach to employment research through the creation of a personalized and professional network. Emphasis will be placed on the development of a resume and cover letter,and preparation for and participation in a series of job interviews. A professional portfolio will be developed and used in the interview process, and a professional development plan will be created for post- diploma use.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2020 Applied Facilitation
Description: The course is designed to identify the skills, knowledge and abilities required to effectively facilitate recreation and leisure services. The role of facilitators in the process of community development and in volunteer management will be investigated. Students will have an opportunity to analyze their strengths and limitations as it relates to facilitation.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
REC2130 Field Placement II
Description: Field Placement II provides the learner with the opportunity to practice the theory taught in the classroom to further explore areas of interest identified in the Field Placement I. The learner will work with a Field Practitioner to develop the appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes consistent with that of a graduating student. The Field Practitioner will act as a role model, share knowledge, facilitate learning experiences and assist in the development of the learner's professionalism and awareness of practice in the field
Hours: 240
Credits: 8
REC2150 Inclusive and Therapeutic Recreation
Description: This course includes both the philosophical and theoretical foundations of inclusive and therapeutic recreation services, including concepts and models of service delivery. Content includes individuals and groups dealing with various challenges related to disabilities, impairments and handicaps. Emphasis will be placed on populations experiencing economic and social disadvantages.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3
