Faculty of Business: Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level: Undergraduate

Result Type: Grade and marks

Handbook description

This subject examines the scope and significance of outdoor education from leisure education, environmental education and personal development perspectives. These three areas are taught within a holistic framework that also takes account of the social, political and economic frameworks which influence and shape the 'outdoors'. It provides students with the personal competencies to organise and lead lightweight camping and bushwalking programs in the environs of Sydney.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Describe the concept of guiding and outdoor leadership from both a philosophical and programming point of view.
2. Identify and discuss the use of outdoor environments and the social, political and economic forces that have influenced and shaped the development of outdoor leaders.
3. Demonstrate the practical application of the skills and resources necessary to guide, organise and manage environmental awareness, bushwalking and lightweight-camping programs in the environs of Sydney for small groups of tourists and recreationists.

Contribution to graduate profile

This elective subject provides students with the opportunity to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in an increasingly important area of the leisure and tourim industry. The subject has particular relevance to students who desire to develop their leadership and guiding skills in the outdoors. It builds a knowledge base that will allow the students to operate in the tourism, leisure and education arenas leading and programming for groups in outdoor environments.

Teaching and learning strategies

A significant portion of the subject content will be taught experientially. Class workshops, single and multi-day off-campus field trips, and student centred learning projects and experiences will be used extensively. Content for this subject will be supported by UTSOnline.

Content

• Perspectives on Outdoor Leadership and Guiding as environmental education; as leisure education through participation in outdoor pursuits and personal development
• Frameworks of Outdoor Leadership and Guiding: Human ecological aspects of outdoor leadership and guiding; environmentalism and conservation both the political and social aspects as they impact on the tourism, leisure and education industry's ; patterns and trends in participation; the outdoor 'industry'- public, private and commercial responses; accreditation, legal liability and certification
• Outdoor Leadership and Management: Competencies for bushwalking and lightweight camping - personal management; group management skills; resources for guiding and outdoor education programming and leadership

Assessment

Philosophical Essay (Individual)	30%
This addresses objectives 1 and 2.
Field Trip Program including Individual Skills Workshops (Individual)	40%
This addresses objective 3.
Resource Folder (Individual)	30%
This addresses objectives 1-3.

The individual essay topics will be changed annually, therefore reducing the risk of plagiarism. Students are required to submit a statement of independent work on the cover sheet of all assignments. Students will be required to interpret current practices and include them in the resource folder. Similarly, the field trip and skills workshops will be individualised, preventing plagiarism.

Recommended text(s)

Dickson, T., Gray, T. & Hayllar, B. (eds) (In press). Views from the Top: Outdoor Learning in Australia and New Zealand. Dunedin: University of Otago Press.

Indicative references

Black, R., Ham, S. & Weiler, B. (2001). Ecotour guide training in less developed countries: some research directions for the 21st century. Monash University: Faculty of Business & Economics.

Ibrahim, H. & Cordes, K.A. (2002). Outdoor recreation: enrichment for a lifetime. Champaign, Ill.: Sagamore.

Macrae, K. (ed) (1990). Outdoor and Environmental Education in Australia: Diverse Purposes and Practices. Melbourne: Macmillan.

Pastorelli, J. (2003). Enriching The Experience: An Interpretive Approach To Tour Guiding. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Education Australia.

Swazbrook, J. (2003). Adventure tourism: the new frontier. Boston, MA.: Butterworth-Heinemann.