Exploration of the ways in which people relate to, and interact
with, the natural environment, with specific emphasis on our free
time (including recreation, leisure, and tourism experiences). A
quadruple bottom line approach is used to uncover the social,
environmental, economic, and moral dimensions of such human-
environment relations.
Athena Title
Humans Nature Environ Aware
Prerequisite
Permission of major
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, a student should be able to understand how people engage with nature during their free time.
By the end of the course, a student should be able to identify the economic and non-economic values of such human-environment interactions.
By the end of the course, a student should be able to describe the contribution of human – environment relations to sustainability.
By the end of the course, a student should be able to describe and apply knowledge of the human dimension to managing natural resources (including issues of environmental justice, ethics, and race).
By the end of the course, a student should be able to describe and apply selected management concepts in the provision of nature-based free time experiences.
Topical Outline
I. Free time relations with the natural environment I: An
introduction
II. Free time relations with the natural environment II: Outdoor
recreation demand and supply
III. Sustaining human societies and the natural environment I
IV. Sustaining human societies and the natural environment II
V. History of environmental movement I
VI. History of environmental movement II
VII. Environmental values and ethics
VIII. Mid-term exam
IX. Human dimensions of natural resources I: An introduction
X. Human dimensions of natural resources II: An application (Socio-scientific issues simulation)
XI. Managing and planning natural resources for recreation and Tourism I: An introduction
XII. Managing and planning natural resources for recreation and Tourism II: Recreation opportunity spectrum and limits of acceptable change
XIII. Managing and planning natural resources for recreation and Tourism III: Recreational crowding, carrying capacity,
conflict, and specialization
