Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Americans in the Outdoors (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 2040-01

Course: ORPT 2040-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PEHP
CRN: 10996

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

  • Required text(s): Engineering Eden by Jordan Fisher Smith 
  • Supplementary materials will be provided via pdf or through Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Derive evidence from primary sources regarding the complexities and changes in human experience through analytical reading and critical thought
  2. Describe how human experience is shaped by social, cultural, linguistic, and/or historical circumstances
  3. Demonstrate attentiveness to linguistic, visual, and/or audio texts when communicating meaning
  4. Use appropriate verbal, perceptual, or imaginative skills when organizing meanings, developing a sense of self, and balancing potentially disparate values
  5. Develop and articulate a personal outdoor ethic.

Course Requirements

Assignments for the course will include:

• Reading Responses/Discussions (Total = 50 pts.): You will submit a short response assignment to some of the assigned readings or media. 
• Journal (9 entries, Total = 30 pts.): I will start some classes with a relevant quote, table, figure, photo, etc. and  will ask you to spend a few moments writing a response. Please keep a separate notebook/document for the journaling exercise. Journals will be collected three times throughout the semester. I will be looking to see that you have provided some thoughtful response to or reflection on each selection.
• Photo Elicitation Exercise (15 pts.): You will share a photograph and narrative that you feel addresses the theme of Americans in the Outdoors (featuring a human-nature link). This should be about 500 words.
• Book Review, Discussion, and Related Assignments (45 pts.): We will read and discuss the book Engineering Eden starting the 4th week of class. Have your book in hand by the 3rd full week of class and be ready to read and discuss it with class throughout the semester.
• Civic Engagement Exercise (30 pts.): Choose an issue that you are passionate about and engage in some kind of civic activity, including a discussion of the chosen engagement.
• Key Figure Assignment (20 pts.): You will pick an important figure in the outdoors/environmental movement and examine that person's role and influence. This could be a historic figure such as Teddy Roosevelt or John Muir. You will pull 3 quotes from the figure and write about why this person is important.
• Current Issue Project (50pts.): You will select an issue related to Americans in the Outdoors that interests you and examine multiple perspectives related to that issue. You will complete 3 assignments related to this project, including a topic selection, annotated bibliography/literature review, and a final project based on your findings.
• Context Assignment (25 pts.): You will imagine a historical figure in the American outdoors movement as if they were living in modern times - through a story, comic, art project, or essay.
• Key Word Discussion  (20 pts.): You will watch a documentary film and participate in a discussion about that film in relation to our classes key terms.
• Reflection (15 pts.): Now that you have learned the various ways in which Americans in the Outdoors interact with and affect one another, prepare something that describes your personal outdoor attitudes and ethic. It can be an essay, a creative writing piece, a song, or take any other form.
• Professionalism (2, total = 100 pts.): Developing professionalism is as important in your education as learning the information and practices of your field. Professional expectations for this course include:
o Attendance: attending class meetings; arriving on-time (note, this doesn't negate the attendance policy and expectations)
o Preparation: being adequately prepared for class activities by completing assigned readings, bringing appropriate materials, etc.
o Follow-through: fulfilling commitments and completing work in a thorough and attentive manner
o Participation and honoring the five criteria of our Full Value Contract
o Appropriate use of technology
o Professional communication in email and other modes of communication

A professionalism grade will be assigned once at mid-term and again at the end of the semester based on your performance on these criteria.

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

Format: This class will be an in person, face to face class with an expectation that students will arrive ready to engage in the material for that day. Classes will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and small group activities. Expect to be present, part of discussions, and having read all required material for the day based on the schedule. 

Classroom climate and full value contract: I am here to teach, but I am also here to learn. I expect all students to be willing collaborators in the learning process. We have much to learn from one another, and can only do so if we can freely share ideas without fear of judgment from your cohort or your instructor. My expectation is you will respect yourself and others, work hard, show up to class and events on time and ready to learn, be committed to learning and teamwork, and try to have fun.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI: AI is inherently  “artificial”, and your learning should not be. Please refrain from using AI unless the specific assignment has additional instructions related to AI use. Use of automated systems is a tool, but not replacement for a skill set in critical thinking. Be intellectually curious and cultivate a desire to learn. Shortcuts rarely are. 

When assignments allow for the use of AI, all prompts must be shared, and the following will generally apply:
Allowed: Brainstorming ideas, checking grammar, summarizing long readings.
Never Allowed: Generating entire essays, solving problems without understanding, fabricating citations, utilizing AI as an attempt to deceive.

Note: Any generative AI use must be documented in assignments. I will be using multiple AI detection resources. If illicit or undocumented AI use is suspected or discovered, expect to meet with me to validate assignments, even if you swear you did not utilize AI. Any use of AI as listed under "Never Allowed" above will be met with a zero on the assignment, referral to academic misconduct office, and is grounds for failing the class. 

Course Outline

Each number corresponds to that week in the semester. Readings will be related to the topics listed below. Expect weekly reading assignments as well as readings from our required text. Due to ongoing changes occurring in regards to public lands management, readings will be updated throughout the semester and added to Canvas. 

  1. Americans in the Outdoors
  2. History and Context, Public Lands, Philosophy of Outdoor Recreation
  3. Manifest Destiny and Utilitarianism
  4. Compromise, Yellowstone and the Railroad
  5. The Roosevelts, Post WWII Boom
  6. The Land Ethic, Wilderness
  7. Vietnam, Rivers on fire, and a review
  8. Wildness and Resources, Beyond Borders
  9. Wolves, the Trouble with Wilderness
  10. Manzanar and the 10th Mountain Division
  11. Current Issues
  12. Sagebrush Rebellion then and now
  13. Public lands in our current society
  14. Elwha and Turtle Island
  15. Finals Week


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

Instructor Response Time
For messages sent to me, I will respond in the specified amount of time. Feedback is an important part of learning: please look for feedback on your assignments. To find feedback, look at this tutorial: How do I view assignment comments from my Instructor.
It is my goal to:
  • Respond to student messages within 2 business days. If you do not hear from me in that time frame, please send me a follow up. 
  • Provide grades and feedback on assignments within 3 - 5 days from the due date. Larger assignments may take longer than 5 days.
I will notify students in advance of any times I am out of email and/or cell service. You will receive an automated out-of-office email reply if you contact me during this time.
Learning Activities and Due Dates
When you become a professional you will find that sometimes there are severe penalties for failing to make a deadline. As such, learning to manage your time is an important professional and life skill. All learning activities will have posted due dates and times (remember that these due dates are in Mountain Time). These due dates (1) help provide a structure to keep you on-track with course materials and learning activities and (2) help me manage my time and provide feedback to students in a timely manner. Due dates and times for all learning activities will be clearly identified on Canvas. All learning activities for this class will be due at 11:59pm on the date posted. 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 with exception of Discussions, which will not be given any points for late submissions. Extensions beyond the 2-day grace period are granted on a case-by-case basis and may be given for extenuating circumstances. No “extra credit” or alternative activities will be granted in lieu of missed activities.

Revisions Policy
The goal of this course is for students to achieve specific learning outcomes - in other words, the goal is "to learn". Often learning occurs when we fall short of a goal or standard and work to make improvements. As such, students may revise submitted work to demonstrate learning and receive a higher grade. Revise means "to re-examine and make alterations to." Revising work uses feedback to make improvements to the original product.
The following rules will apply to revisions:
  • If a submitted assignment does not receive a satisfactory passing grade (C or 74%), you may revise and resubmit the assignment to improve your grade.
  • Only work completed and submitted by the posted due date and in accordance with course policies can be revised. Missing assignments (i.e. work that was not turned in or that exhibits no evidence of it being an honest attempt) cannot be revised. 
  • Assignments will be "reassigned" in Canvas and include feedback from the instructor. Revisions should reflect the feedback given. Students must include a statement of how the feedback was used to improve the work with their revisions to receive a higher grade. 
  • Once re-assigned, you'll have 3 days to complete the revisions. If not completed, the original earned grade will be kept. 
  • Only graded assignments can be revised (extra credit work cannot be revised).

Classroom Climate and Student Participation
This class is intended to test higher-level cognitive abilities. You are expected to be active in your learning and think, question, problem-solve, and debate information presented in class. I will do my best to create an environment in which expressions of uncertainty, conjecture, and alternative and competing views can be freely shared. I expect the same of you. Remember, there is a big difference between debating an argument and attacking an individual. The latter will not be tolerated and I reserve the right to excuse from discussions any student who compromises this preferred climate.

Your participation in this class is a valuable contribution to the entire group. Active and regular participation in class discussions and activities will further your learning and enhance everyone’s experience with the course. I expect students to participate meaningfully, meaning that I emphasize quality over quantity. Thinking critically and deeply, moving discussions forward, and sharing relevant information and personal experiences are valued more than simply repeating information provided in course materials or agreeing/disagreeing with a statement.

Students are expected to model good Expedition Behavior (NOLS, 1996) in all class activities:
  • Serve the mission and goals of the group
  • Be as concerned for others as you are for yourself
  • Treat everyone with dignity and respect
  • Support leadership and growth in everyone
  • Respect the cultures, experiences, and perspectives you encounter in all class activities
  • Be kind and open-hearted
  • Do your share and stay organized
  • Help others, but don’t routinely do their work
  • Model integrity by being honest and accountable
  • Admit and correct your mistakes

Writing and Grammar Expectations
Competent writing skills are imperative in nearly every sector of the working world (http://www.inc.com/kaleigh-moore/study-poor-writing-skills-are-costing-businesses-billions.html). Consequently, written work and communication is expected to be concise, well organized and with minimal errors (please proof-read and use spell check!). Grammar and professionalism will be criteria for grading on all writing assignments. For writing resources and assistance, the SUU Writing Center (http://suu.edu/hss/english/writingcenter/), Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) (https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/), and Grammarly (https://www.grammarly.com/) are excellent resources.

Communication
If at any time you have questions or concerns, please communicate them to me. Instructions for how to contact me are posted on the course syllabus in Canvas. I am here to make sure you have the resources you need to be successful in your learning in this course and beyond. Communicating any issues early will help me best help you. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to me about a problem in class, you may contact your Academic Advisor. We want to make sure you are getting the answers and support you need.
I am also available to help you with questions not directly related to the course. If you are planning an adventure; have questions about internships, jobs, academic advising for ORPT, or graduate school; or there is anything else I can help you with, please let me know. If I cannot answer your question or provide the help you need, I will direct you to someone who can.

Attendance Policy

This class meets in person twice a week, and your presence and participation are essential to your success and the overall learning environment. You are allowed up to 4 free absences over the course of the semester. These are intended to cover things like minor illnesses, travel, or other personal obligations—so I encourage you to use them wisely. Excessive (or frequent) tardiness may be counted as an absence. 

If you find yourself needing to miss more than four class sessions due to illness, family emergencies, or other significant circumstances, please reach out to me as soon as possible. I understand that life can be unpredictable, and I’m willing to work with students who communicate and show commitment to the course.

Please note that excessive absences (more than 4) without communication will affect your ability to keep up in class and will result in a lower professionalism grade or difficulty passing. Make-up work is not guaranteed but may be offered in certain situations depending on the nature of the absence and the coursework missed. 

If you miss in excess of 7 class meetings, expect a failing grade, no matter what your Canvas grade denotes. 

Ultimately, I want you to succeed and stay healthy—physically and mentally—so please keep me in the loop if something comes up.

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.