Course credit
3 credit hours
Course description
Overview of interaction of leisure services and the elements of diversity including race/ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation and ability/disability.
Delivery
This course is available in a web-based format, utilizing web pages and MyCourses, a computer conferencing program. MyCourses requires Internet access and a web browser — no additional software is required. Students may need access to someone who can assist with computer set-up.
Prerequisites
none
Instructor
Rodney B. Dieser, Associate Professor
Rodney B. Dieser, Ph.D., currently is an Associate Professor in the School of Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Services (College of Education) at the University of Northern Iowa. Rod holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Physical Education and Recreation from the University of Alberta (Canada).
He holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Utah in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, with a graduate minor in educational psychology (adolescent-based counseling). He also holds a bachelor,s degree from the University of Utah in Recreation and Leisure Studies. His research and teaching interests include: (1) cross-cultural therapeutic recreation and leisure practice, (2) therapeutic recreation as an adjunctive therapy for people with mental illness and people with disabilities, (3) historical and philosophical foundations of leisure, youth, and human services, including Hull-House from 1889-1953, (4) representations of health in popular culture, and (5) hegemonic masculinity in leisure and physical activities.
Rod has co-authored two academic textbooks in Leisure Studies (both over 500 pages), has written over 60 academic articles, and has made countless national and international academic and professional presentations in both Canada and the United States. Although the bulks of Rod’s academic writings are in the areas of leisure studies and therapeutic recreation (e.g., Journal of Leisure Research, Leisure Science, Leisure Studies, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, American Journal of Recreation Therapy) his research has appeared in other academic fields, including: Counseling Psychology (e.g., Transactional Analysis Journal), Education (Alberta Journal of Education Research), Human Services (e.g., Human Service Educator), and Physical Education (Journal of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance)
Rod has served as an associated editor for the Therapeutic Recreation Journal and as an editor for the academic newsletter the SPRE Professor. In 2006 he received the Outstanding Professional Research Award by the National Therapeutic Recreation Society in the United States. He has also received outstanding research and writing awards by the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association and the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association respectfully.
Evaluation
6 assignments, 2 exams
Introduction
This course has been designed to introduce elements of diversity and multiculturalism relevant to the professions of leisure, youth, and human services. As such, at the end of this course, students and professionals will have a greater understanding of (1) the integration of leisure and diversity issues, and (2) how to provide leisure, youth, and human services to people from differing cultures. Students will gain cross-cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills regarding differing cultural groups through on-line assignments and experiential learning activities. To this end, this class is broken into six Assignments.
Course Objectives
Course Organization
This course will be delivered over the World Wide Web, utilizing web pages, and a learning management system (MyCourses). The course is divided into 6 assignments, a midterm and a final examination. All written assignments will be submitted via MyCourses. Examinations will be taken as a proctored exams.
Written Assignments
All of your assignments will be evaluated via a critical thinking framework. The critical thinking elements (intellectual standards) that will be used to evaluate all of your assignments will be:
Clarity: Being free from confusion.
Precision: Being specific and exact.
Accuracy: Being free from errors, mistakes, or distortions.
Relevancy: Having a close and logical relationship to the question at hand.
Breadth: Exploring alternative perspectives.
Depth: Explaining the complexity of the issue.
Logic: Using relevant assumptions, concepts, data, theories, and implications.
Of course, good writing and grammar skills will affect all of these critical thinking elements. For example, poor writing structure and spelling errors will affect clarity of thought.
Examinations
Midterm Exam: This exam will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. You are required to know the information from the reading assignments from Assignments 1-3. (30 points).
Final Exam: This exam will consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. You are required to know the information from the reading assignments from Assignments 4-6. (30 points). However, you are not required to know information from the two book "Barbie Culture" and "Riding the Bus with my Sister."
Examinations will be taken as proctored exams. Both exams will be closed book and will have a two-hour time limit.
Academic Ethics
All work in this course must be done by you and must be done specifically for this course. Although it is wise to consult and seek advice from others, you are to do your own work (e.g., writing and researching). All ethics violations, intentional or unintentional, will result in a grade of F for this course.
Grading
Assignment 1 = 25
Assignment 2 = 30
Assignment 3 = 55
Assignment 4 = 35
Assignment 5 = 25
Assignment 6 = 30
Midterm Exam = 30
Final Exam = 30
A = 93%+
A- = approx 90-92%
B+ = approx 87-89%
B = approx 83-86%
B- = approx 80-82%
C+ = approx 77-79%
C = approx 73-76%
C- = approx 70-72%
D+ = approx 67-69%
D = approx 63-66%
D- = approx 60-62%
F = approx 59%-
Textbook(s)
American Psychological Association (2007). Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls. Washington, DC: Author (retrieve from: http://www.apa.org/wpo/sexualizationrep.pdf)
Hudson, S., Olson, H., Dieser, R. B., & Thompson, D. (2009). Planning accessible SAFE playgrounds: Using the Americans with Disability Act – CD ROM (revised). National Program for Playground Safety, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA.
Simon, R. (2002). Riding the bus with my sister: A true life journey. New York: Plume Books.
Course Reading Packet (Available through the Guided Independent Study Office.)
Texts are available from www.bookfinder.com
University Book and Supply carries most books used in guided independent study.
To search for textbooks by course, click on "Select a Campus Term" and select Univ.Northern Iowa - Guided Independent Study
Visit the store at 1009 West 23rd Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-7581 or 800-728-7581
Fax: 319-277-1266
E-mail: bookstore@panthersupply.com
To enroll
ONLINE
GIS enrollment information
IN PERSON
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
2637 Hudson Road (corner of 27th St. and Hudson Rd.)
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0223
Campus map (Look for Building 31)
For more information
Cindy Klodt, Guided Independent Study
UNI Continuing and Distance Education
319-273-2123 or 800-772-1746
ContinuingEd@uni.edu