Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Outdoor Recreation Independent Projects (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 4860-02

Course: ORPT 4860-02
Credits: 4
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31427

Course Description

This course is designed to give outdoor recreation majors and minors experience leading, teaching, and developing skills in the outdoor recreation field. The student is responsible for identifying a specific project or experience that will increase their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field; identifying learning goals and outcomes; and developing a plan to complete the project. A faculty mentor facilitates the independent project through consultation with the student and by providing appropriate resources. Students may or may not be paid for their work. A minimum of 45 hours of work equates to one (1) credit hour. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): Instructor permission Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6 Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

There is no required text for this class. The instructor may assign or recommend a text based on the specific project, or provide resources on Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

This course serves as a way for students to earn credit for developing their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to parks, recreation and tourism. The student identifies the specific learning outcomes they will achieve by completing a specific project. The instructor will provide resources as needed to facilitate student learning.

Course Requirements

Specific learning activities will look different for each student enrolled in this course based on the goals they identify and the project they develop to achieve those goals. All students will complete the following:
  1. Project Identification: Develop a project that will help improve or gain experience in a particular knowledge, skill, and/or ability area. Students may develop their own project or join an ongoing project the course instructor is involved in.
  2. Goals and Outcomes: Identify specific goals and outcomes related to the knowledge, skill, and/or ability to develop. Using the project as a guide, develop a plan that will help you achieve your goals and outcomes.
  3. Activity and Experience Log: Students will track their activities and experience for the duration of their involvement with the project. The log shall include the amount of time worked, highlight key tasks and accomplishments, and explicitly demonstrate how target goals and objectives are being fulfilled. A minimum of 45 hours of work is required for each one (1) unit of academic credit for which the student is registered
  4. Project Deliverable: Show evidence of project completion by developing a tangible product or deliverable.
  5. Project Reports & Reflections: Students will complete regular reports and reflections throughout the semester to reflect on their activities and progress. A final reflection will follow the completion of the project.

Grading

Because of the individualized nature of this course, ungrading is used to shift the focus from “How many points did I get?” to “What did I learn?”. All assignments will be graded as Complete or Incomplete work with feedback on strengths and opportunities for improvement. All assignments and learning activities will include Instructions, Criteria for Success, and a rubric with specifications for satisfactory work. Students may revise submitted work to demonstrate learning and receive a Satisfactory/Complete grade. For all assignments and learning activities, criteria for “Satisfactory” work are based on the standard of passing, or a C. Students will determine their own goals and select a project/experience that will help them achieve those goals. 

In order to pass the course, students must complete the following learning activities:
  • Goals: Students must articulate specific goals/learning outcomes they wish to achieve in this course
  • Reflections: Students must complete a midterm and final reflection of their experience
  • Project: Students must identify and complete a special project or other experience
  • Hours and Activity Log: Students must complete a minimum of 45 hours of work for each academic credit for which they are registered and keep a log of their hours and activities
  • Final Deliverable/Portfolio: Students must provide evidence of the work they completed by submitting a final project deliverable (e.g. copy of certification, research paper, special project) or portfolio of their experience (e.g. work or internship portfolio)

ORPT 4860 is listed as a “standard grade” course in the Academic Catalog. Therefore, students will receive a final letter grade (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, F) at the end of the semester. Each student will propose a final grade based on the total portfolio of work completed at the end of the semester. The professor reserves the right to accept or not accept the final proposed grade based on evidence of the student's work and engagement over the course of the semester.

Course Outline

Due to the individualized nature of this course, each individual student’s work and experience will be different. Assignments will be scheduled as follows:
  • Week 1 - Goals & Outcomes
  • Week 2 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 3 - Report & Project Identification
  • Week 4 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 5 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 6 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 7 - Mid-term Reflection
  • Week 8 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 9 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 10 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 11 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 12 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 13 - Report & Reflection
  • Week 14 - Final Deliverable, Final Reflection, and Activity Log

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

Assignments will be due at 11:59pm (Mountain Time) on Sundays.

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 4 days past the posted due date. No "extra credit" or alternative assignments will be granted to "make up" for missed learning activities.

Attendance Policy

Because of the individualized nature of this course, there is no set attendance policy. Students completing their work independently are expected to manage their time appropriately and complete the 45 hours per credit required. Students earning credit through an organized volunteer, internship, or other professional/training experience are expected to follow the appropriate guidelines and complete the necessary requirements. Students working with the instructor on a special project (e.g. research, applied project) are expected to make appropriate arrangements for meetings and communicate in a timely and appropriate manner if they will be absent.

Risk Statement

This course includes or could include, a laboratory, physical activity, personal travel, or field trips. Participation in the course may expose the student to certain foreseeable and unforeseeable risks of injury such as, but not limited to illness, injury or even death. Knowing of these risks, the student freely and voluntarily participates in the course and hereby agrees to assume and accept any and all associated risks.

Course Fees

There is no additional fee required 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.