RTM 487: Fall 2015
Environmental and Cultural Interpretation
Professor:
Larry Beck, Ph. D.
PSFA 445
lbeck@mail.sdsu.edu
Course Description
This course is designed for students in the outdoor resource or sustainable tourism
management emphases in Recreation and Tourism Management, and for those
students enrolled in the Certificate in Environmental Studies program. The course
offers a non-traditional approach to learning that provides a wide range of alternatives
for meeting the course requirements. Students may choose from several experiential
tracks to direct their learning based upon their career interests and academic
aspirations.
Course content is structured to facilitate understanding of the philosophical and
theoretical foundations of interpretation, and specific techniques for effective interpretive
program design. The professor's intent is to inspire you to learn as much as possible
and to provide support for that learning. The proximity of parks, historic sites, forests,
zoos, aquaria, wildlife refuges, and related tourism destinations in the San Diego region
provides excellent opportunities for firsthand learning, application of course content, and
evaluation of interpretive services.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1. Explain the principles and theoretical underpinnings of thematic interpretation.
2. Analyze techniques used in the design, presentation, and evaluation of formal
interpretive programs in recreation and tourism settings.
3. Articulate uses of interpretation (personal and nonpersonal) for protection of cultural
and environmental resources, visitor management, and sustainable tourism.
4. Communicate with a style that supports the purposes of the intended audience.
5. Formulate a personal philosophy (in a broad sense) on the values of environmental
and cultural interpretation to promote environmental sustainability, social justice and
equity, economic sustainability, and sustainable development.
Required Readings
Beck, L. and Cable, T. The Gifts of Interpretation (Third Edition). Champaign, IL:
Sagamore. 2011.
Blehm, E. Molly the Owl. Molly the Owl Books. San Diego. 2010. NOTE: This
book will be distributed in class for student use. You do NOT need to purchase a copy.
Structure and Assessment
Given the content of this particular course, your professor recognizes that students with
a wide range of abilities and interests can’t all be expected to do exactly the same thing.
Different students will have different preferences for what they learn from this class.
Furthermore, different students will have different preferences for their investment (time
and energy) devoted to this class. Hence, the following contract grading system:
Course Requirements
For all grades A, B, and C one unexcused absence is allowed before dropping to the
next lowest grade. In other words, when we do have class it is important that you are
there. If the time frame when this course is offered is not conducive to your schedule
then, obviously, you need to drop the course.
For an A:
1. Research, design, present, and evaluate a formal interpretive program at Cabrillo
National Monument or Mission Trails Regional Park. This will include a formal
outline, 20-minute on-site oral presentation, and evaluation.
2. Choose 4 of 6 track assignments OR sign up for the Park Interpretive Immersion trip.
Complete the written assignments for this.
3. Score 85% or higher on each major exam (midterm and final).
4. Complete the study guide for the readings.
5. Complete all Portfolio entries as assigned and present a brief interpretive program
on a specific place based upon these entries (in class).
For a B:
1. Choose 4 of 6 track assignments OR sign up for the Park Interpretive Immersion trip.
Complete the written assignments for this.
2. Score 80% or higher on each major exam (midterm and final).
3. Complete the study guides for the readings.
4. Complete all Portfolio entries as assigned and present a brief interpretive program
on a specific place based upon these entries (in class).
For a C:
1. Choose 2 of 6 track assignments OR sign up for the Park Interpretive Immersion trip.
2. Score 70% or higher on each major exam (midterm and final).
3. Complete all Portfolio entries as assigned and present a brief interpretive program
on a specific place based upon these entries (in class).
For a D or F:
For a D: Complete all Portfolio entries as assigned and present a brief program.
For an F: Less than the minimum requirements for a D.
NOTE: Out of respect and fairness to the students who complete the full
assignments and turn in their work on time, all assignments must be fully
completed (no partial assignments allowed) and all work must be submitted on
time (no late projects except under extreme circumstances and substantiated by
written documentation).
Exams
The midterm and final will consist of essay questions derived from the course materials.
Exam questions are based upon the objectives for the course as listed in the course
modules. If you are unable to take an exam, for compelling reasons, special
arrangements must be made prior to the test and written documentation is required.
Otherwise, if you miss a major exam you automatically fall to the next lowest grade.
If you fall below the percentage standards on exams for the grade you choose, then you
fall to the next lower grade. That, of course, is not likely to happen given the structure
of the class (use of course objectives and online testing).
Academic Integrity
The faculty and staff demand the highest levels of academic and professional integrity
in all work at San Diego State University. Positive personal development cannot exist
without integrity and your actions determine your level of integrity. Plagiarism, cheating
on exams, or any other type of academic dishonesty will be referred directly to the
Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities for disciplinary action. Fortunately, if you
wish to do less work in this class you can choose a lower grade without having to
sacrifice your personal integrity.
Interpretive Presentations
Two weeks of class will be devoted to student interpretive presentations. At Cabrillo
National Monument you may choose from the following interpretive topics: gray whale
migration, tidepool ecology, coastal sage scrub plant community, Old Point Loma
Lighthouse, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and military history. At Mission Trails Regional
Park you may choose from the following topics: the Kumeyaay and early uses of native
plants, the Old Mission Dam and the San Diego River, and wildlife of Mission Trails.
Sign up early to be certain that you get the interpretive topic and presentation
date of your choice, but no later than the second class session. Other topics (than
those listed above) are acceptable with the approval of the professor. Topics and dates
will be granted on a first come/first served basis.
You must submit a full outline of your project, as explained in class, no later than the
fourth class session. The typed outline (approximately three to five pages, doublespaced), which highlights the principles of interpretation employed, will be discussed
with your professor and other students choosing the “A” option.
Completion of this assignment requires utilization of various principles and methods of
interpretation as well as effective communication skills. Specific criteria, discussed in
class, will be used to evaluate the presentations. The length of your presentation
should be 20 minutes (in the range of 18-22 minutes).
Include a typed self-evaluation (one to two pages, double-spaced) to be turned in
with your full Portfolio project at the end of the semester.
Portfolios
All students in the class are required to complete the Portfolio entries and present a
brief interpretive program (5 minutes) on a specific place based upon these entries.
Class time will be provided for refining entries and presenting results during class.
The Portfolio is intended to encourage your reflection on course topics in personally
meaningful ways. Your Portfolio should be typed, one inch margins, 12 point font. You
are welcome to include photographs, drawings, poetry, or other creative elements if you
want.
The ENTIRE Portfolio project will be turned in on Blackboard. A link for this will be
provided at the end of the semester prior to the due date. Note that I use Turnitin,
which is a plagiarism-detection system. If you copy another student’s work the system
will catch it. My policy is that if you don’t do the work on your own then you have
subverted the intent of the contract system and therefore fail the class.
I encourage you to compose outlines and rough drafts prior to writing up the final entries
to gauge the length and quality of your project. Provide a Table of Contents and
remember to number the pages. For full credit be sure to follow all directions carefully.
In addition to the in-class Portfolio entries you will also include your track
assignments OR Interpretive Immersion papers in your Portfolio. For those
students who choose the “A” option you will include your final presentation
outline and self-evaluation. All these materials can be included in the back.
Reading Study Guides
For students who choose the “A” or “B” option in the class you will be completing study
guides for The Gifts of Interpretation. These study guides may be found by clicking on
the “Readings” menu item on Blackboard. Although all students should have copies of
the books, to properly answer questions on the exams and for future reference, only the
“A” and “B” options require the study guides be turned in. Please only turn in fully
completed work. If you can’t finish the study guides by the deadline simply opt
for a lower grade option.
Note that to complete the full Portfolio, all students must read Molly the Owl and analyze
the use of interpretive principles employed in this book. Again, this is a requirement of
the Portfolio project that gives you a chance to make application of what you have
learned. One student wrote, “Seeing the interpretive principles come to life through
their application in Molly the Owl has given me a deeper understanding of how
interpretation can be utilized to help us better understand the world around us.”
Experiential Component
Option 1: Interpretive Immersion Trip
Students may now elect to go on an interpretive immersion trip with Aztec Adventures.
This has been incredibly successful. The trip is an excellent complement to course
material. A short paper (3-5 pages) is required that focuses on interpretive
strategies and your assessment of their effectiveness, including
recommendations based on what you have learned in this class. In particular,
strive to relate your observations to the principles of interpretation discussed in the
texts.
Option 2: The Tracks (Choose out of 6 according to the grade you seek)
General Information: Within each track I am open to other possibilities that you would
find meaningful. See me for approval of related ideas. All visits and reports on
interpretive sites must occur during the semester. Turn in your tracks within the final
Portfolio project. Call the interpretive agency or go to their web site for specific
information on entrance fees. Hours of operation may vary and in some instances
parking fees are required. Be sure to remove all valuables from your vehicle and park
only in legal spaces. Strive to carpool.
For each of the tracks you choose, write a 3 - 5 page, typed, double-spaced paper
on the relationship of the track to course content. Especially strive to relate your
observations to the principles of interpretation discussed in the text. The most
important thing to focus on as you write your papers is how what you observed
relates to the principles of interpretation we have discussed throughout the class.
My expectation is that you will think about what you accomplished and relate it to course
materials in a professional manner. Papers should be well-organized and concisely
written. If the quality of your work is not consistent with the grading criteria, the project
must be repeated or you will be assigned the next lower grade. This quality control is
essential out of respect for and fairness to hard-working students who have completed
these assignments diligently.
Track 1: Professional and Personal Growth
Join the National Association for Interpretation. This is the premier organization for
professional interpreters. Select the Standard Student membership with dues of
approximately $35 per year. Membership will include many amenities including a
subscription to Legacy. For online membership instructions go to interpnet.com.
If you prefer you may become a member of the Orion Society, a literary magazine that
focuses on nature/culture/place. Membership for one year is approximately $35.
Note: This track does not require a written paper—just a copy of your application
receipt and membership card. Verification must be turned in by the midterm exam.
Track 2: Cultural and Natural History Interpretation (Museums)
Visit and evaluate interpretive effectiveness at one of the following museums:
Natural History Museum, Balboa Park: This premier natural history museum
includes many new exhibits. The “free Tuesday” is the first Tuesday of each month.
Museum of Man, Balboa Park: This museum has fascinating exhibits on the
history of humans, particularly in a regional context. The “free Tuesday” is the third
Tuesday of each month.
Track 3: Field Interpretation (Protected Sites)
Attend and report on a formal interpretive presentation at:
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Or other site of your choice with the professor’s approval.
Track 4: Historic Site Interpretation
Visit and evaluate interpretive effectiveness at one of the following historic sites:
Old Town State Historic Park: This state park unit encompasses early San Diego
history.
Presidio Park and Serra Museum: This building and museum covers early San
Diego history.
Track 5: Zoo/Theme Park Interpretation
Visit and evaluate interpretive effectiveness at one of the following:
San Diego Zoo: A world-class zoo featuring giant pandas and the Ituri Forest
exhibit.
Wild Animal Park: This unique park features the "Heart of Africa."
Sea World: This theme park offers several special shows and more than 20
major exhibits.
Track 6: Aquarium/Specialty Interpretation
Visit and evaluate interpretive effectiveness at one of the following:
Stephen Birch Aquarium: A state-of-the-art aquarium at Scripps Institution of
Oceanography. An exhibit on climate change has been added.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: The IMAX theater features various natural
history presentations. Admission varies according to the package you want. I
recommend the IMAX program and entrance to the science center.
Final Instructions

I will be available to discuss projects with you before they are due. I can be used as
a “sounding board” for your ideas and outlines and, as time allows, I can read drafts
and make suggestions (at least one week in advance of the deadline).

All projects will be evaluated based on content (how deeply you have thought about
the topic, integration of your experiences with course concepts, communication of
insights, and accuracy of concept application) and presentation (organization,
grammar, spelling, style, and neatness).

Please inform me if any special circumstances arise for you during the semester.
That is, if you are having difficulty in class due to extenuating outside circumstances,
please talk to me as soon as possible so we can minimize the effects of these
circumstances.
Field Trips
This statement is required according to University policy: The purpose of our
class field trips is to allow students to present on-site interpretive programs at
Cabrillo National Monument and Mission Trails Regional Park. Trip details are
provided in the course calendar (meeting time and place). When parking your
vehicles be sure to leave no valuables since parking areas are sometimes prone
to crime. You must be in reasonable physical shape to walk/hike in these park
areas. Wear “field “ clothes and shoes or boots (not sandals). Be aware of how
to recognize and avoid rattlesnakes and poison oak. Keep a reasonable distance
from cliffs. Alcohol and chemical substance use is prohibited. Family members
not enrolled at SDSU may not attend. In an emergency call 911.