PRT 506: Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Parks, Recreation Tourism & Sport     

Course Description:
This course will focus on the organization and administration of public, private and not-for-profit sport, park, tourism and recreation (SPTR) agencies. The primary unit of analysis in this class is the SPTR organization and the environment in which it operates. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the structural, human, political, and cultural factors that impact organizational efficiency and effectiveness – specifically focusing on these environments.

Learning Objectives:
1. Exhibit an understanding of the environment in which sport, park, tourism and recreation (SPTR) organizations operate.
2.  Identify and describe key principles related to effective administrative practice, such as planning, resource acquisition, positioning, and personnel & volunteer leadership.
3.  Demonstrate knowledge and application of relevant theory, research, and practice related to key aspects of organizational behavior in SPTR organizations.
4.  Recognize organizational behavior challenges and demonstrate intervention techniques used for recruiting and managing staff and employees.
5.  Demonstrate the ability to evaluate critical factors contributing to organizational leadership in SPTR organizations.

 

Reflection: I always enjoy hearing from Dr. Bocarro and this class was another opportunity to learn and interact with him. This class helped me to gain effective insight on leadership and organizational behavior. The information learned was timely and relevant in my career, as NCRPA, the organization I work for, recently made several organizational changes including shrinking its board from over 30 to 5. The class helped me to look at what was working and not working with changes as well as analyze the culture of NCRPA as an organization. I also thoroughly enjoyed reading both the texts, as they provided great insight and ideas that I know will help me in my current position where I manage staff, a graduate assistant, interns, and volunteers on multiple projects and any future opportunities as a leader in our field.