Recreation and Sports Studies

This course is designed as an introductory examination of the historical roots of sport, recreation and human movement in western civilization. Significant events and personalities will be highlighted to provide an overview of the sub-discipline of the history of human movement phenomena. 

An examination of health behaviours of individuals, encompassing social, physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects of health and wellness. The course will use health research to address health concerns, trends, risks, and repercussions associated with health decision-making. Credit cannot be received for both RSS 1081 and NURS 1225.

This course will examine the meanings of and relationships among leisure, recreation, and sport in society. Ideas and philosophies that have shaped contemporary society related to time use, work, and associated concepts will be explored.

Introduces the students to the concepts and skills required to successfully manage current and future sport, recreation and wellness organizations in a variety of settings in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Includes both theoretical and practical perspectives to help the students understand not only the WHAT and HOW of management, but also the WHY. 

This course encourages students to explore sport, physical activity, and leisure as social phenomena and important aspects of modern society. We will examine many of the same sociological issues within the framework of sport, physical activity, and leisure that exist in society as a whole. More specifically, we will consider the cultural aspects of sport, physical activity and leisure, how they are related to social institutions (such as education, politics, and economics) and how they affect and are affected by social inequalities. 

Provides students with an understanding of some theoretical concepts related to programming and the techniques and procedures used to develop and implement programs and events in the recreation and sport context. Deals with the underlying principles of planning recreation programs and events and the techniques and procedures used to develop and implement these, and relates these principles to a variety of recreation settings to meet the needs of different interest levels.

Presents both the conceptual and the operational aspects of the tourism industry from a number of points of view including motivations for travel, economic impact, product development, market analysis and future trends.

This course will examine current social psychological theory about leisure behaviour and experience. In other words, how do people's personalities and social situations that they encounter during their daily lives shape their perceptions, experiences, and responses to leisure, and how does leisure influence personality and behaviour in other life domains. This course will examine the influence of psychological and sociological impact of leisure on the individual. Specifically, this course will examine, with regard to leisure, the following areas: gender, race, violence, disability, mass media, politics, attitudes, crowd effects, youth sport, coaching leadership, and student athletes.

This course is an examination of the nature of community and the concept and practice of community development in relation to sport and recreation behaviour and services. It reviews differing interpretations and approaches to community development and investigates current initiatives and projects that encourage citizen engagement and community mobilization. Attention is also given to potential problems and common strategies for addressing the challenges. 

This course focuses on the concepts and methods relevant to the collection and analysis of data needed to address criteria and make informed decisions about the worth or improvement of systems, services, programs and facilities. Topics include understanding context, community and stakeholders, measuring user satisfaction, determining needs, attitudes, opinions and interests. Both qualitative and quantitative methods are considered and applied to actual situations.

This course is designed to provide knowledge and experience in the instruction of physical education activities that are delivered in a variety of environments. Utilizing the foundational knowledge and experience students received in RSS 3042, students will engage in the planning, delivery, and assessment of a physical education program that encourages and develops skills for life long participation and enjoyment of physical activity and sport. Upon completion of this course, students will have a level of comfort in delivering skill and age appropriate activities for youth.

This course takes a critical approach to understanding management in sport and recreation through examining trends and contemporary issues in the industry. An advanced perspective of management as a complex phenomenon is employed requiring students to challenge existing management practices and seek solutions to organizational problems that are ethical, equitable and effective considering multiple stakeholders.

This course provides an introduction to the law of negligence with emphasis on professional liability and risk management, as well the course includes an introduction to criminal law and contracts. Studied through lecture, case law and selected readings all related to recreation and sport. 

A full-time, full-term placement in a professional position with a community agency. An opportunity for the student to relate theory to practice through professional career and field experiences. 

This course is designed to introduce students to leisure education concepts, theories, and related facilitation techniques. Various leisure education models, assessment tools, and intervention strategies will be explored. Consideration will be given to different settings in which leisure education can be implemented.

Understanding developmental stages of youth and the impact of recreational and sport programs and services on character, identity, self-esteem, and personal growth. Focus is on facilitating positive youth development and changes in leisure behaviour.

Relates theory to practice through professional career and field experiences. Students should expect to participate in at least 40 hours of learning. Course deliverables and learning outcomes will be determined with the Faculty. Faculty approval is required prior to any service commitment or registration procedures.

Relates theory to practice through professional career and field experiences. Students should expect to participate in at least 80 hours of learning. Course deliverables and learning outcomes will be determined with the Faculty. Faculty approval is required prior to any service commitment or registration procedures.

Relates theory to practice through professional career and field experiences. Faculty approval is required prior to any service commitment or registration procedures.

Relates theory to practice through professional career and field experiences. Faculty approval is required prior to any service commitment or registration procedures. 

This course provides an overview of the organization, regulations, policies and procedures necessary to operate recreation and sport facilities in the public, private and not -for -profit sectors. It introduces options and important components of facilities from a macroscopic perspective including different levels of management, integration of operations, risk management and application of technology. This course enhances facility management skills and knowledge to support individuals working within the sport and recreation field. Students will visit a variety of facilities and experience their operations first hand. 

This course takes a critical media studies approach to the production and consumption of sports media. It examines the construction of narratives within and through sport in various forms of mass media, including television, radio, newspapers, the internet and film, and attempts to consider the personal, social and cultural implications of such narratives. The analysis of the sport and the media will be grounded in the context of the working world of sports journalism, consumer engagement with the sports media, and wider sociological processes such as nationalism, globalization and corporate involvement in sport. 

This course examines sport, recreation and physical cultures throughout the Canadian history, with particular focus on the period from the 19th Century onwards. Students will gain an understanding of the development and connections of sport and recreation in Canada, through diverse topics such as the playground movement, amateur and professional sport systems, the development of national and provincial parks, the institutionalization of specific sports, and the historical trajectory of physical education and fitness activities. 

Provides senior students with a facilitated experiential learning opportunity to plan, implement and evaluate programs and events in the recreation and sport context. This course is designed to build on the foundations from prior experiences and courses. A variety of content delivery methods will be used in addition to an applied experience.

This course examines strategies that enable people to increase control over and improve their health at the individual, community, organizational, and policy levels. It addresses health promotion principles and the change process, including needs identification, planning, and evaluation.

This course involves the application of marketing and sponsorship concepts, theories, and strategies with regards to sport and recreation in the private, commercial, voluntary and public sectors. Marketing and sponsorship policies, strategies and tactics in terms of product, price, place, promotion, and public relations will be explored.

An examination of community and societal factors that influence health, including: income and social status, social support networks, education and literacy, employment and working conditions, social and physical environments, health services, gender, and culture. 

This course is intended as an integrating and culminating experience for senior students in Recreation and Sport Studies. It will involve class discussions, guest speakers, case studies, etc. that will enable students to draw on their knowledge and experience to critique current issues, trends and challenges in the field. Students will be responsible for helping to identify issues to be discussed and for preparing and presenting issues in class.

Guided by a faculty member, provides an opportunity for the advanced study of theoretical concepts in a focused area in Recreation and Sport Studies that is of interest, but for which no course is offered.  Faculty approval is required prior to registration. Title of the topic will appear on the student’s transcript.

Guided by a faculty member, provides an opportunity for the advanced study of theoretical concepts in a focused area in Recreation and Sport Studies that is of interest, but for which no course is offered.  Faculty approval is required prior to registration. Title of the topic will appear on the student’s transcript.

Selected topics of special interest in the areas of recreation and sport are examined in detail. Special emphasis will be placed on current issues. Topics will be specified by the Faculty. Title of the topic chosen will appear on the student's transcript. Faculty approval is required prior to registration. Open only to students in third year and above.

Selected topics of special interest in the areas of recreation and sport are examined in detail. Special emphasis will be placed on current issues. Topics will be specified by the Faculty. Title of the topic chosen will appear on the student's transcript. Faculty approval is required prior to registration. Open only to students in third year and above. 

This course will focus on recent theoretical and empirical research on, and the relationship among gender, sport, and leisure. Topics to be covered include an analysis of men’s and women’s experiences, attitudes, constraints, challenges and behaviours related to leisure and sport. Emphasis will be placed on understanding ways in which gender relations and gender role expectations affect and are affected by sport and leisure. 

Guided by a faculty member, provides an opportunity for the advanced study of theoretical concepts in a focused area in Recreation and Sport Studies that is of interest, but for which no course is offered.  Faculty approval is required prior to registration. Title of the topic will appear on the student’s transcript.

BRSS Honours students must complete a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The project can take the form of a thesis, report, or case study as determined by the faculty member. A presentation is required.

Continuation of RSS 3913 / RSS 3914.

This course is an examination of potential career paths for students looking to enter into the recreation and sport field. In addition, this course provides practical components regarding Human Resource Management.  Some of the topics covered include: recruitment and retention of volunteers, developing and implementing performance appraisals, understanding personalities and abilities, job design, interviewing applicants, creating reward systems, staffing, and human resource policies.