Course Description
The Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management (PRTM) Field Study is an off-campus experience for students majoring in PRTM. Basic field skills will be described and demonstrated, and students will apply these new skills and knowledge during a series of visits to state/federal protected lands and tourism businesses and discussions with professionals in the field. Students will gain first-hand knowledge of relevant planning, assessment, and management of forests, parks, and public resources.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students will be required to lead regularly scheduled
small group reflection sessions where students will discuss how
the activities and experiences relate to their learning. Graduate
students will facilitate sessions and provide a summary report
for instructors.
Athena Title
Parks and Tourism Field Study
Non-Traditional Format
This Maymester field course will provide a diversity of learning environments for students that include the classroom lectures, laboratory and field experiences, and interactions with professionals. This course will meet 7-8 hours/day (+ travel time) from Monday-Friday; however, inclement weather and complex scheduling may require moving some activities to the weekends. There will be a minimum of one hour of lecture/day and 6-7 hours of hands-on experience. State-wide travel will be part of this course, and overnight accommodations will be provided for students in campsites or state-operated facilities.
Undergraduate Prerequisite
Permission of major
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of major
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Students will be able to explain the historical development and evolution of environmental education. 2. Students will be able to distinguish between the various implementation strategies of environmental education delivered by formal and non-formal providers. 3. Students will be able to appraise the operation and management practices within protected areas. 4. Students will be able to examine the numerous services provided to visitors of protected areas. 5. Students will be able to describe the tourism marketing and promotion strategies utilized by destination management organizations. 6. Students will be able to evaluate the various tourism impacts on local economies and communities.
Topical Outline
1. Course orientation – UGA Campus, Athens 2. Environmental education (delivery mechanisms, history, professional development); Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfield 3. Protected areas management (visitor management, natural resource management, and personnel management); Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn 4. Tourism management (marketing and promotion, resource management, tourism impacts); UGA Marine Institute, Sapelo Island