Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Americans in the Outdoors (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 2040-01

Course: ORPT 2040-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31416

Course Description

Examines human values, uses, and management of natural settings at the individual, community, and societal levels. Topics include psychological responses to nature, history of U.S. Park and natural resource management, environmental sociology and politics, and nature in non-Western cultures. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None General Education Category: Humanities

Required Texts

Textbook
  • Jordan Fisher Smith (2019). Engineering Eden: A Violent Death, a Federal Trial, and the Struggle to Restore Nature in Our National Parks, second ed. The Experiment. *Students may choose the format (hard copy, ebook, audio book) that works best for their needs and learning preferences.

Recommended Resource

Required Module Materials (Instructor-Provided)

Learning Outcomes

ORPT 2040 is a Humanities General Education course.
  1. Examine how humanities artifacts (such as oral narratives, literature, philosophy, media, and artworks) express the human condition
  2. Explain how humanities artifacts take on meaning within networks or systems (such as languages, cultures, values, and worldviews) that account for the complexities and uncertainties of the human condition
  3. Analyze humanities artifacts according to humanities methodologies, such as a close analysis, questioning, reasoning, interpretation, and critical thinking
  4. Compare and contrast diverse humanistic perspectives across cultures, communities, and/or time periods to explain how people make meaning of their lives
  5. Using humanities perspectives, reflect on big questions related to aesthetics, values, meaning, and ethics and how those apply to their own lives

Course Requirements

  1. 3-2-1 Reading Responses: 3-2-1 Reading Responses are intended to encourage students to complete assigned readings*. They also serve as an opportunity for students to engage with the reading in a more personal way to identify key elements that are personally relevant, meaningful, or interesting. 3-2-1 Reading Responses will be available regularly throughout the course to accompany assigned readings. *Readings may include other types of media as well such as videos or podcasts.
  2. Journal: Journal entries are intended to prompt critical thinking about a topic and give students space to personally reflect. There are typically one or two Journals for each Module.
  3. Discussions: This course presents an excellent opportunity for us to share ideas and experiences and learn from our peers. Discussions allow students to share their thoughts related to course topics and engage with their classmates. Discussions will take place in class for face-to-face courses.
  4. Photo Elicitation Exercise: Share a photograph and narrative that addresses the theme of Americans in the Outdoors (featuring a human-nature link).
  5. Civic Engagement Exercise: Choose an issue related to Americans in the Outdoors that you are passionate about and engage in some kind of civic activity, including a discussion of the chosen engagement.
  6. Key Figure Research Project: Choose an important figure in the outdoors/environmental movement and examine that person's role and influence.
  7. Current Issue Project: Select an issue related to Americans in the Outdoors and examine multiple perspectives related to that issue. Students will complete an annotated bibliography, evaluate options to address the issue, and complete a final project communicating their findings and recommendations.
  8. Reflection: Students will prepare a reflection that describes their personal outdoor attitudes and ethic. It can be an essay, a creative writing piece, a song, or take any other form.
  9. Participation & Professionalism: Professional expectations for this course include:
    1. Attendance: attending class meetings and trips; arriving on-time. In-person attendance is expected for face-to-face classes.
    2. Preparation: being adequately prepared for class activities by completing assigned readings and lectures, bringing appropriate equipment and materials, etc.
    3. Follow-through: fulfilling commitments and completing work in a thorough, attentive, and timely manner
    4. Participation and Expedition Behavior: meaningful participation and modeling good expedition behavior in all course activities
    5. Appropriate use of technology in the classroom and during class activities
    6. Professional communication in all modes of communication (electronic, face-to-face)

Grading

The following grading standards will be used in this class:
  • 100 to 94.0% A
  • 90.0 to <94.0% A-
  • 87.0 to <90.0% B+
  • 84.0 to <87.0% B
  • 80.0 to <84.0% B-
  • 77.0 to <80.0% C+
  • 74.0 to <77.0% C
  • 70.0 to <74.0% C-
  • 67.0 to <70.0% D+
  • 64.0 to <67.0% D
  • 61.0 to <64.0% D-
  • 0.0 to <61.0% F

There are a total of 860 points in the course:
  • 3-2-1 Reading Responses, 10, 5 points each = 50 points
  • Journals, 14, 5 points each = 70 points
  • Discussions, 14, 15 points each = 210 points
  • Assignments (Photo Elicitation, Key Figure, Civic Engagement), 50 points each = 150 points
  • Current Issue Project, 110 points
  • Reflection, 75 points
  • Participation and Professionalism (Commenced Attendance, Midterm Course Feedback, Course Wrap-Up, Engagement & Professionalism), 195 points

Course Outline

Unit 1: Americans and the Outdoors Through the Mid-Twentieth Century (Weeks 1-6) - This unit explores early American interactions with and perspectives on nature and landscapes. Topics explored include westward expansion, philosophies of natural resource use, the establishment of national forest and park systems, development for recreation, and environmental ethics.

Unit 2: Modern Conservation and Environmental Movements (Weeks 7-10) - This unit explores concepts of wilderness and pristine nature through cultural and political lenses. Topics include the Wilderness Act, sustainability, values of nature, ecosystems, and the roles nature and the outdoors play in American life.

Unit 3: Contemporary Conversations (Weeks 11-12) - This unit introduces students to current issues in public lands, conservation, and the outdoors, emphasizing the historical influences underlying “how we got here.” Topics include conflict, political and social movements, and discussions of access and representation.

Unit 4: For This and Future Generations (Weeks 13-14) - The course culminates with examples of Americans taking action to restore balance to damaged landscapes and strained communities. Students are asked to reflect on lessons learned over centuries of attempts at land management to articulate their personal outdoor ethic and identify opportunities for sustaining our nation’s outdoor resources for future generations.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All learning activities will be posted on Canvas and include clear instructions, learning objectives, evaluation rubric, and submission instructions. Any assignment that needs to be turned in will have posted due dates and times. Due dates will be 11:59pm on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. You are always welcome to turn an assignment in early.

Work will be accepted up to 48 hours (2 days) past the posted deadline with no penalty. Extensions beyond the 2-day grace period are granted on a case-by-case basis and may be given for extenuating circumstances with appropriate communication. Late assignments received >48 hours past the posted due date will receive half of the total points earned. Late assignments without an extension will not be accepted more than 7 days past the posted due date. No "extra credit" or alternative assignments will be granted to "make up" for missed learning activities. 

The professor may, at their discretion, offer extra credit for completing optional assignments or participating in activities that are relevant to topics covered in the class. Extra credit will only be made available to the entire class for activities that are accessible to all students. Students may choose where to apply any extra credit points earned. Points may be applied only to completed assignments that were turned in on time (within 48 hours of the posted due date) to increase the total score on the assignment. Extra credit points may not be used to cover for an incomplete, missed, or late (turned in after 48 hours of the posted due date with no approved extension) assignment.

Attendance Policy

Attendance will be taken daily and tracked in Canvas. Students will be marked as Present, Absent (Excused), Absent (Unexcused), or Late.

Your attendance and participation in this course is a valuable contribution to the entire class, and will benefit your learning and performance. Students shall make every reasonable effort to attend class. 

Absences may be excused in the following circumstances:
  • Illness or urgent health need
  • University excused absences
  • As part of an accommodation authorized and communicated by the DRC
  • Family emergency
  • Other emergency or extenuating circumstance appropriately communicated to the professor
  • Pregnancy accommodations

Absences will not be excused for the following circumstances:
  • Work
  • Vacations
  • Weddings/honeymoons
  • Routine healthcare appointments

A minimum attendance of 75% is expected in order to pass the course.

Class sessions may be recorded on Zoom. Recordings may be made available upon request.

Course Format

This course is taught face-to-face and will be facilitated in a manner to encourage robust discussion and interaction. All non-textbook course materials will be provided on Canvas. Students need a reliable internet connection and device (desktop, laptop, or tablet recommended) to access course materials and complete and submit class assignments.

Course Fees

There is no additional fee for this course.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.