Rec 101: Introduction to Leisure, Sport, and Recreation Management — Course Overview and Key Topics

Land Acknowledgment

Acknowledges official territory of the neutral Anishinaabe and Quechua peoples.
Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, land promised to the Six Nations, which includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
Applies these principles to leisure services, broadly defined for the course; includes therapeutic recreation, sport, events, tourism, and recreation services.
Emphasizes a broad interpretation: not just business expertise, starting from foundational management and business principles; course is management-oriented.

Course Purpose and Scope

Rec 101 is a foundation course for many future courses in recreation and leisure science.
This term focuses on management and management-related principles, integrating theory with practice.
The course examines management principles in the context of commercial, nonprofit, and public sector leisure, sport, and recreation service organizations.
Goal: learn how management principles can help leisure service organizations make meaningful, positive impacts in communities and for individuals served.
Opportunity to hear from professionals and alumni in the field who work across sectors.

Instructor and Background

Instructor is an associate professor and undergraduate chair; administrative leadership role in college; focused on undergraduate curriculum development, policy, strategic planning, and student issues.
Education: undergraduate in recreation/major studies; completed Rec 101 in 1999; master's at Brock University; PhD at Barloo (as stated).
Research interests: sport management, event impacts, marketing, sponsorship, sport behavior; director of the Spectator Experience Experience and Technology Lab (the department’s lab); director of the University of Waterloo interdisciplinary network for esports and gaming.
Practical experience: worked in event marketing for companies like Lint Chocolates, UGC, Maple Leaf Foods, Garrett Cookies; directed the Homes Association (neighborhood association).
Personal interests: baseball player/coach; coached the Eastern Panthers (IBL baseball league); focus on children and family; partner Melissa and children Evelyn, Ethan; describes himself as a “doctor’s sports parent.”
Miscellaneous: notes that class time can be tiring due to kids’ activities; humorously calls himself an Uber driver with a bad rating.

Teaching Assistants and Tutorials

Teaching assistants will lead tutorials and small group discussions; discuss management topics, work through case studies, connect theory to practice, assist with grading.
Tutorials will start in the week of September 15; not active this week; check individual tutorial times and rooms.
Tutorial sessions are designed to help you apply lecture content and prepare for assessments.

Learn Platform, Dropbox, and Course Materials

Course outline, schedule, and slides are posted on Learn; all course materials live there.
Students are asked to introduce themselves by posting name, year, program of interest, favorite sport or leisure experience, and a one- to two-sentence note about what they hope to learn.
There is a Dropbox submission for the first class (course outline) and other assignments will be posted here as well.
Instructor will post a shell of the lecture with blanks for students to fill in; posts occur Sunday nights and Tuesday nights.

AI Policy for the Position Paper

Generative AI usage is permitted for the position paper but not for quizzes or guest speaker assignments.
AI should supplement, not replace, your own ideas and voice; drafts and sources should be evident; you should be able to discuss your process and final work.
Critical questions to consider when using AI: understanding topic, ability to show drafts/sources, ability to speak to information and arguments, writing voice, verification of accuracy, and integrity of citations.
AI can be used for brainstorming and prompts that guide reflection, editing, and refinement—not for wholesale replacement of your own analysis.

Course Goals and Outcomes

Introduce key concepts in sport, recreation, tourism, and leisure management.
Define key management principles and distinguish how they apply across commercial, nonprofit, and public sectors.
Integrate concepts with practice by applying theories to real-life examples and current issues.
Inspire engagement in a community of practice and connect with alumni and practitioners.
Enhance students’ ability to succeed in university, including writing, library use, and collaborative work.
Emphasize theory-to-practice and the relationship between research and practice in leisure services.

Course Components and Evaluation Overview

Four main evaluation components:
- Participation in tutorials (attendance and preparation; 20% of final grade). Active in tutorials to apply weekly lecture content; lowest participation mark is dropped to account for life events.
- Quizzes (two quizzes; 25% of final grade). Multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and application-type questions; quizzes posted on Learn; open for 24 hours; once started, you have ~3 hours to complete; designed to be ~45-50\text{ minutes} in length to reduce time pressure.
- Guest speaker assignments (three dates: one in the private/commercial sector, one in the nonprofit sector, one in the public sector). Students attend class, write a 3×5 note card with one takeaway and one question for each speaker, and drop it in a box on the way out.
- Position paper (content-specific assignment focused on sport, leisure, and collaboration; dates noted; requires library sources to support your position; one topic must be from Health 101 or Health 107 in some references; emphasis on argumentation, evidence, and engagement with literature).
Tutorials will initially cover citations, AI use for the paper, and library use to prepare students for the position paper.
Policies on absences and accommodations are described (see below) and there are additional supports for academic integrity and accessibility.

Mixed Economy Course Concept Map

The course uses a mixed economy perspective to frame leisure service provision across sectors: commercial, nonprofit, and public.
Topics across sectors include:
- Corporate identity, branding, and marketing
- Customer relationships and loyalty, social media, and CSR (corporate social responsibility)
- Leadership and governance, HR, and volunteer management
- Social enterprise and entrepreneurship, fundraising, grants, and opportunities
- Public administration and finance, public sector marketing, and repositioning
Core idea: management principles are fluid and cross-sector; public sector groups also engage in branding, HR, and marketing, though with different terminology and contexts.
The course also emphasizes developing financial tools and skills relevant to first-year foundations, including research methods, environmental analysis, APA referencing, peer feedback, and effective writing and oral communication; emphasis on theory-of-practice integration.

Course Schedule and Structure

Four main sections in the course:
1) Introduction and overview: define leisure, terms, and set the stage for the mixed economy approach.
2) Commercial/private sector: corporate identity/branding, customer relationships and loyalty, CSR, change management.
3) Nonprofit sector: leadership and governance, HR, volunteer management, social enterprise, fundraising, grants.
4) Public sector: administration and finance, public sector marketing, repositioning, and discussion of the value of public recreation and leisure services to society.
The schedule is posted on Learn; the plan is to connect theory to real-world issues and to build writing and research skills alongside content mastery.

Important Dates and Timeline

Quiz 1: October 1 (25% of final grade).
Position paper due: November 12.
Quiz 2: December 1 (25% of final grade).
Fall break: November 11–19 (note: dates may vary by calendar; plan accordingly).
Tutorials begin in week 3 (Sept 15–Sept 19); check your specific tutorial dates and times on Quest/Learn.
Quizzes open: on the day, October 1 by 2:30 PM; open for 24 hours; once started, you have ~3 hours to complete.

Policies, Supports, and Campus Resources

Absences: three types of allowed absences with accommodation:
- Self-declared short-term absence: up to two consecutive calendar days for any reason (obligations or personal reasons).
- Religious or pre-approved absences: self-declared and submitted via formal request.
- Illness or extended medical circumstance: requires a Verification of Illness or Extended Medical Circumstances form within 48 hours of the absence.
Accommodations: register with Accessibility Services; communicate needs; the course team will support accommodations.
Academic integrity, discipline, appeals: policies described in the course outline and on Learn.
Additional campus supports: counseling services, writing center, library; Natalie Chao (Center for Teaching Excellence liaison); Elizabeth (Health Teaching Fellow for Leisure); academic advisers (notably Sarah Houston, who can help with academic progression).
Advising: Sarah Houston is a key point of contact (BMH 10-42) for program and progression questions; she is highly valued and accessible.
Other supports and involvement: athletics and recreation, co-op, center for sexual and gender diversity, accessibility services, student success, SSO, RAIDS, etc.; these resources can aid in wellness and academic success.
Encouragement to engage with the campus community: meet peers, join clubs (e.g., swimming), and participate in campus events to enhance learning and networking.
Well-being and self-care: emphasizes that well-being is important; the instructor notes the value of relationships and community as part of the university experience.

Course Concept Map – Practical Takeaways

The course emphasizes the practical application of management principles across sectors: branding, marketing, HR, volunteer management, fundraising, governance, policy, and finance.
Students will learn to articulate the value of leisure services to society and how to communicate that value to others who may not see its importance.
The course integrates theory with practice through case studies, guest speakers, and community engagement; aims to create a network of practice that includes alumni and professionals.

First Week and What to Expect

First week topics include defining leisure and the scope of the course; Sarah Houston will discuss the program overview.
The instructor will present an outline of the course and expectations.
The course shell and key prompts will be posted weekly on Learn; some content may be missing on certain days due to scheduling.
Emphasis on actively engaging in class and tutorials to build foundational skills for writing and research.

Tips for Success and Habits

Find a productive study space on or off campus (e.g., the Second Floor study area, library, quiet spaces).
Don’t hesitate to seek help from instructors and TAs; use office hours and email as needed.
Get involved in campus life and practical experiences (e.g., clubs, events) to enrich examples for assignments.
Practice wellness and self-care; recognize that peers can become important support networks.
Start planning early for the position paper due dates; it is a multi-step process involving library research and drafting.

Final Notes

The course aims to replace a traditional textbook with Learn-based readings and resources; no required textbook and no costs for course readings.
The instructor emphasizes openness to AI as a tool for brainstorming and editing, with strict guidance to maintain original voice and scholarship in final work.
Students should actively participate, read the materials, and engage with peers, guest speakers, and instructors to maximize learning and professional development.

If you’d like, I can format these notes into a more concise study sheet or expand any section with additional examples or prompts for potential exam questions.