DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND RECREATION
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
PITTSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
SPRING 2013
Course Number: REC 240*99 (On-line)
Title: Introduction to Therapeutic Recreation
Credit Hours: 3
Pre or Co Requisite: REC 160 (Introduction to Recreation and Leisure Services)
Instructor: Dr. Chuck Killingsworth, CTRS, Professor
E-MAIL: ckillingsworth@pittstate.edu
Office hours: TU, WED, THUR; 9am-noon (Pacific Time Zone - via Internet only) Phone: (805) 233-4071
Office: N/A
COURSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to help each student learn about the Therapeutic
Recreation Process, recreation for people with disabilities and the aged, and aspects (introductory
etiology) of disabling conditions and aging: physically, socially, mentally, psychologically and spiritually.
Students will be provided with basic materials on medical terminology, disabling conditions, and the
effects of various conditions on the individual’s lifestyle and health.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
A. Better understand the recreation and leisure needs of people with disabilities and who are ill or
aged. (Standard 8.02)
B. Better understand the rehabilitation/habilitation process
C. Develop an understanding of the role of recreation in the rehabilitation process and in
habilitation.
D. Better understand the legal rights of people with disabilities and the legislation affecting them.
E. Better understand the agencies serving people with disabilities. (Standard 9D.04)
F. Better understand the problems that impact the person with a disability; e.g. social, educational,
sexual, housing, transportation, employment, leisure (Standard 7D.04)
G. Better understand the major disabling conditions and diseases. (Standard 7D.04)
H. Better understand the various delivery models of Therapeutic Recreation. (Standard 9D.01)
I. Better understand the various delivery models of Therapeutic Recreation. (Standard 9D.01)
J. Better understand the use of activities for people with disabilities and/or who are ill or aged.
K. Use the basic tools of written and oral communication, as well as on-line learning techniques
and system.
L. Better understand the psychological, sociological, and physiological significance of play,
Recreation, and leisure, from a historical perspective, for all populations and settings, especially
those related to disabling conditions. (Standard 8.07)
M. Better understand and use diverse community, institutional, natural, and human service
resources to promote and enhance the leisure experience for people with disabilities. (Standard
8.12)
N. Better understand the roles and interrelationships of diverse leisure service delivery systems
including such specialties as the Therapeutic Recreation and the business enterprise systems.
(Standard 8.13)
O. Better understand the contemporary professional issues and how they impact the delivery of
leisure services (Standard 8.09), in particular to people with disabilities.
P. Better understand the responsibility of the leisure service profession to make available
opportunities for leisure experiences for all populations, including those with special needs and
with disabilities. (Standard 8.14)
Q. Better understand and demonstrate the ability to promote, advocate, interpret, and articulate
the concerns of leisure services for all populations and services. (Standard 8.15)
R. Gain field experience in the area of working with special populations. (Standard 8.28)
ACCESS TO THE STUDENT RECREATION CENTER (SRC)
To gain access to the SRC workout, gyms, etc. you must have you “ACTIVE” PSU student ID with you.
PSUneeds to be able to ensure that the SRC is being used by the people authorized to be using it.
“Approved users are currently enrolled students, staff with paid membership or individuals
approved access by the Department of Campus Recreation. You could be denied access into the Rec.
Center if you don’t have your valid ID in your possession at the time of entry. This could impact you
attendance in classes and/or your grade. PLEASE BRING YOUR ACTIVE PSU ID CARD WITH YOU
EVERY DAY.
EXPECTATIONS:
1. As this is an Online course, each student is expected to have access to a computer for all
assignments, etc. for this course.
2. Reminders of due dates, Exam dates, etc. WILL NOT be provided. Use whatever system of
reminders works best for you so that you do not have any late assignments or missed Exams,
etc.
3. Each student will actively participate in the regular weekly, On-line/web-based discussion of the
material and/or information from the required textbook and/or articles (provided on-line or through
web-based references provided in the text or by the instructor).
4. Exams will be given on a bi-weekly basis.
5. ALL written assignments must be submitted on-line (through Canvas Assignments) in Word,
Word Perfect, or PDF format only. They are due ON OR BEFORE the due date indicated in the
respective assignment. A MAXIMUM OF ONE LATE ASSIGNMENT OR EXAM MAY BE ACCEPTED,
AFTER WHICH A MINIMUM OF 15% OF POINTS POSSIBLE WILL BE DEDUCTED FOR EACH DAY, OR
PORTION THEREOF, LATE. Please note: STUDENTS EXPECTING TO RECEIVE AN “A” IN THIS COURSE
MUST NOT HAVE ANY LATE ASSIGNMENTS WHATSOEVER.
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES: Textbook-Introduction to Recreation Services for people with
disabilities: A Person-Centered Approach, 3rd edition; Bullock, Mahon, and Killingsworth; Sagamore
Publishing, Champaign, IL; 2010. ISBN 978-1-57167-574-3
COURSE SEQUENCE:
Chapter 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 ,8,9,10,11,12, AGING,13,14,15,16,&17
EVALUATION:
A. Tests: There will be up to 8 exams during the semester, including a comprehensive Final Exam, if
necessary*. Any and all materials (textbook, Power Points, videos, handouts, websites) may be used
as the basis for exams. NOTE: A QUIZ WORTH UP TO 20 POINTS WILL BE GIVEN DURING THE 1ST
WEEK OF CLASS THAT WILL COVER THE COURSE SYLLABUS (AVAILABLE ON THE PSU CANVAS
SYSTEM). Failing this Quiz (a score of <14 pts.) will cause the student to be dropped from the class.
All Exams will be made up of Multiple Choice and/or True/False questions, and will be available
through the PSU Canvas system or may be sent by attachment to an email message– IT IS YOUR
RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE INSTRUCTOR HAS YOUR CURRENT WORKING PSU GUS EMAIL ADDRESS and THAT YOU CHECK YOUR GUS EMAIL AT LEAST TWICE PER WEEK – DAILY IS
PREFERRED.
*A FINAL EXAM may be given and will be scheduled during Finals Week at the discretion of the
instructor DEPENDING UPON THE QUALITY OF THE ASSIGNMENTS AND DISCUSSION when
conducted.
B. REACTION PAPERS (2): PURPOSE – to better understand what it is like to have a disability, and to
identify and express one’s own thoughts, feelings, and ideas about what is read and about people
with disabling conditions. Each student will prepare, during the semester, two (2) TYPED, DOUBLE
SPACED, WITH 1” MARGINS Reaction Papers on a BOOK about a person with a disability. The format
for each paper is as follows: each one MUST BE AT LEAST TWO (2) PAGES IN LENGTH, WITH NO
MORE THAN HALF A PAGE OF SUMMARY, THE REMAINDER MUST BE REACTION – your OWN
thoughts, feelings, ideas in response to what you have read. THIS IS NOT a “Book Report”!! The
subject of the paper must be related to a disabling condition/illness or aging and based upon an
actual case(s) – NOT fiction. EACH Reaction Paper is worth up to 50 points. NOTE: the 1st Reaction
Paper MUST be on the book (or CD SET) “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom (copies can be
found in most public libraries and in the PSU Axe Library). In addition to your own thoughts, feelings,
and ideas concerning what you read, include comments on how reading it may have given you a
different perspective about having a disability and about people with disabilities; in what way(s) and
why? DUE DATES: #1 Jan. 30th by 6pm; #2 Feb. 20th by 6pm.
C. TERM PAPER:
Each Student will select one of the following topics and prepare a minimum 10-page, excluding
reference list, term paper. The paper must in proper APA format, but will be submitted on-line as an
attachment to an e-mail message (see my e-mail address above). This Term Paper is due on or
before April 17th by 6pm. This assignment is worth up to 100 points.
Topics (other related topics may be considered, but require PRIOR approval of the Instructor):
1. Recreation & Therapeutic Recreation (Rec./TR) for people with Mental Retardation
2 Rec./TR for people with Mental Illness
3. Rec./TR for people with Physical Disabilities**
4. Rec./TR for people with Visual Impairments
5. Rec./TR for people with Hearing Impairments
6. Rec./TR for people who are aged
At a minimum, the paper should include the following:
1. Causes and characteristics of the population chosen.
2. Importance of recreation for person with condition.
3. Role & place of recreation in the life of persons with the condition.
4. Overview of significant legislation affecting the persons with the condition.
5. Role and use of TR for persons with the condition.
6. An explanation of how specific recreation activities can/may be used to improve or maintain the
individual’s functioning (socially, psychologically, physically, spiritually, and cognitively). The
activities selected must be in no less than five different activity areas: physical/sport, music, art,
drama, arts & crafts, computer-based, spiritual, board or table games, outdoor activities, selfimprovement, horticulture, animal related (such as therapeutic horseback riding), and/or
aquatics.
** Choose a specific condition, e.g. amputation, or spinal cord injury, brain injury, etc.
D. DISABILITIES ISSUES PAPER: Each student will select one country, other than Canada and the USA,
and prepare a 2 page (minimum) paper explaining how people with disabilities and the aged are
treated in the country chosen. This paper is worth up to 50 points. Due Date: April 3rd by 6pm.
E. SPORT AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: Each student will select a specific disability group that is
eligible to participate in the Paralympics and prepare a minimum 3 page paper on that topic. The
paper should include at least the following: history of sport for the group, eligibility requirements for
participation in the International Paralympics for the group/person with the specific disabling
condition, summarize the results for the USA at the Paralympics for the Summer Olympic Years of
2004, 2008 & 2012 OR the Winter Olympic years of 2002, 2006, & 2010, and state whether you
believe that people with disabilities should be allowed (eligible) to compete in the International
Olympics and why or why not. 50 points possible; due April 29th by 6pm.
E. DISCUSSION SESSIONS: at least once each week, beginning with the first week of class (Jan. 14th),
a group discussion will be conducted on course material/chapters. To facilitate the discussion, the
Instructor will pose 2-3 (or more) questions or statements to which students must respond. Each
student must respond to at least 2 of these questions/statements by Thursday each week at 6pm
Pacific Time. Your responses MUST be a MINIMUM of 2-3 sentences in length and MUST NOT just
repeat what others have said in their responses. 5 points per week, 75 points possible.
F.TEXTBOOK CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS: Each student will complete the designated Learning
Assignments (at the end of each chapter and identified below) and/or a related web-based
assignment by Thursday at 9pm of the week for the chapters assigned. For example: the Learning
Assignments and web assignments for the week of Jan. 14th are due no later than 6pm Jan. 17th.
The assignments for the final chapters in the text will be due by 6pm on May 2nd. 10 points per
week/chapter with 170 points possible.
G. FILM REVIEWS (3): Each student will, at their own expense/arrangement, view 3 different films
(DVDs) from the list of acceptable films provided by the Instructor (the list will be posted on Canvas)
and prepare a brief synopsis of each along with their thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. about each film.
The list is not comprehensive, therefore, if you have another one you would like to review that is not
on the list, check with me to see if it is acceptable as fictional films are NOT acceptable. Each paper
MUST be at least 2 pages in length and each film reviewed must focus on a different type of
disabling condition. For example: Murderball is about people who are quadriplegic; Darius Goes
West is about a young man with Muscular Dystrophy; Young At Heart is about aging. Each Review is
worth up to 20 points and ALL are due no later than April 29th by 6pm.
H. FINAL GRADE: Each student’s final grade will be earned according to the total points accumulated
from exams, assignments, and class discussion participation, as follows:
7 Exams worth up to 20 points each
Final Exam (if given)
Term Paper
Reaction papers (2)
Disabilities Issues Paper
Sport & People With Disabilities Paper
Film Reviews (3 at 20 points each)
Discussion participation
Textbook Assignments
TOTAL POINTS POSSIBLE
100 Points NOTE: your 2 lowest scores will be
dropped
80 Points
100 Points
100 Points
50 Points
50 Points
60 Points
75 Points
170 Points
705/785 (with final, if used)
A=91% and above B=81%-90%
C=71%-80%
D=61%-70%
F= less than 61%
NOTE #1: Anyone taking an “Incomplete” for the course at the end of the semester cannot earn
higher than a “B” upon completion of the requirements.
NOTE #2: No student will be awarded a grade of “A” if she/he has ANY LATE assignments. “A”
students do not turn in late assignments.
READINGS AND EXAM SCHEDULE:
Week 1
Jan. 14
Week 2
Jan. 21
Week 3
Jan. 28
Week 4
Feb. 4
Week 5
Feb. 11
Week 6
Feb. 18
Week 7
Feb. 25
Week 8
March 4
Week 9
March 11
SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES
Week 10
March 25
Week 11
April 1
Week 12
April 8
Week 13
April 15
Week 14
April 22
Week 15
April 29
Chpt. 1
Chpt. 2
Chpt. 3
Chpt. 4
Chpt. 5&6
Chpt. 7
Chpt. 8
Chpt. 9
Chpt. 10
Topic(s)
Who Are People with Disabilities
History of Treatment – Exam #1
Conceptual Cornerstones of Services
Legislation – Exam #2
Discrimination/Barriers to Rec./TR
Cross Disability Topics – Exam #3
People with Intellectual & Develop. Dis.
People with Physical Disabilities-Exam # 4
People with Visual Impairments
Chpt. 11
Chpt. 12
Chpt. 13
Chpt. 14
Chpt. 15
Chpt. 16&17
People with Hearing loss – Exam # 5
People with Mental Illness
Aging; Recreation Services
Therapeutic Recreation – Exam #6
Sport & People with Disabilities
Leisure Education/A Framework for
Action – Exam # 7
Chpt. 9
Chpt. 10
Chpt. 11
Chpt. 12
Chpt. 13
Chpt. 14
Chpt. 15
Chpt. 16
Chpt. 17
Item #2 and #4
Item #3
Item #4
Item #1
Item #2 and #6
Item #2 or #3 or #4
Item #2
Item #3
Item #5
CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS:
Chpt. 1
Chpt. 2
Chpt. 3
Chpt. 4
Chpt. 5
Chpt. 6
Chpt. 7
Chpt. 8
Items #2 and #4
Items #2 and #4
Items #2 and #3
Items #4
Items #1 and #4
Items #1 and #4
Items #3 and #4
Items #1
Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday – Jan. 21st
SPRING BREAK March 17-24
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
See the Syllabus Course Supplement at the site indicated below for Student Rights and
Responsibilities and related items. Click on Documents and Links. It is found under Basic
Documents.
http://www.pittstate.edu/audiences/faculty-staff/faculty-senate/