Program Curriculum

Program Curriculum

Recreation is about improving people’s quality of life. It is a dynamic and diverse field that spans the public, private, and non-profit sectors. From health wellness to advocacy, recreation professionals provide leadership by creating positive environments for people of all ages to explore their potential, connect to community, increase health and wellness, celebrate cultural traditions, and live meaningful, happy lives.

The Bachelor of Recreation Management (BRM) is a degree completion program (third and fourth year of a bachelor’s degree) for students who have a recreation diploma or the equivalent (see Admissions Requirements) and who are interested in pursuing careers in the recreation field. The program is flexible and student-focused, and combines a solid foundation in management theory and practical knowledge with specialized courses in recreation. Students will work closely with recreation organizations, applying their knowledge to real-life situations as they learn.

The third and fourth year of the BRM can be completed in two years (six semesters) if taken on a full-time basis. As many of today’s students work full- or part-time, students have the option of completing the BRM on a full- or part-time basis. The program is designed to offer flexibility in delivery methods and all courses at the third- and fourth-year level are delivered online.

Bachelor of Recreation Management

Third and Fourth Year Curriculum

To obtain a Bachelor of Recreation Management, students are required to complete a minimum of 60 credits in the third and fourth year of the program (minimum 120 credits in total for the degree). Students may take the online courses on a full- or part-time basis.

Listed below are the courses required to receive a Bachelor of Recreation Management. Although some courses in the program are required as prerequisites for others, there is considerable flexibility in the order that most courses may be taken. A departmental advisor is available to discuss a course sequence appropriate to the student’s personal goals. As not all courses will be offered every semester, students should take care when planning their course schedule.

Total Program Credits: 120
Third and Fourth Year Credits: 60

Courses Credits
All of
BUSM 2115 Human Resources Management
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

A course in human and industrial relations with emphasis on the various processes and techniques of acquiring and maintaining an efficient workforce. It will examine the more technical aspects of personnel management, including legal issues, compensation, and employer/employee rights in sufficient depth to give a reasonable understanding of their purpose and nature. The course will be taught using a series of seminar type lectures, readings, case histories and guest lectures.Prerequisite(s): One of the following: a minimum 67% in English First Peoples 12, English Studies 12, Literary Studies 12, or equivalent; a university-level English or communications course for which Langara awards transfer credit; or a minimum "C" grade in ENGL 1120; or a minimum "C-" grade in ENGL 1121, or an "S" grade in ENGL 1107, 1108, or 1110. LET with a minimum Level 3; LEAP 8, LPI with a minimum 26 on the essay and one of 5 in English usage, 5 in sentence structure, or 10 in reading comprehension.

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BUSM 2200 Organizational Behaviour
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

Students in this course examine how individual and group behaviour affects organizational goal attainment and success. Topics will include individual attributes such as attitude, personality and perception, and organizational culture and management skills such as leadership, empowerment, participation, communication, and motivation. There will be a strong international focus with an emphasis on diversity, managerial ethics, and development of Total Quality Management. Students will have practical and hands-on assignments for decision making, problem solving and case analysis to improve their analytical skills.Students will receive credit for only one of BUSM 1321 and 2200.Prerequisite(s): One of the following: a minimum 67% in English First Peoples 12, English Studies 12, Literary Studies 12, or equivalent; a university-level English or communications course for which Langara awards transfer credit; or a minimum "C" grade in ENGL 1120; or a minimum "C-" grade in ENGL 1121, or an "S" grade in ENGL 1107, 1108, or 1110. LET with a minimum Level 3; LEAP 8, LPI with a minimum 26 on the essay and one of 5 in English usage, 5 in sentence structure, or 10 in reading comprehension.

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BUSM 4120 Organizations and Change
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course examines the underlying concepts, principles, and assumptions of organizational development. Included is an investigation of macro factors such as organizational structure, coordination and control, power, authority, organizational politics and corporate culture, and their impact on effectiveness. It develops a framework around understanding natural versus planned change, models for managing change, the development of specific skills to manage change, the human side of change, and the transition process. Understanding the dynamics of organizational change is a critical skill for contemporary managers.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Business Administration and Bachelor of Recreation Management.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum 54 credits, including a minimum "C" grade in CMNS 2228, and a minimum "C" grade in six additional credits of university-transferable English or communications.

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CMNS 2228 Advanced Written Communications
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 1.0

Students in CMNS 2228 will learn advanced written communication skills, including both business and technical writing. Students will learn and practice advanced editing skills and writing for the web.Prerequisite(s): A minimum "C-" grade in one of the following: CMNS 1118, ENGL 1123, 1127, or 1140; or permission of the English department.

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FMGT 1116 Accounting for Managers
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course provides an overview of basic financial and management accounting principles and techniques, including the managerial use of financial statements and other financial information for decision-making purposes. Students will initially be introduced to the principles and techniques used in financial accounting. The second part of the course will explore common managerial accounting techniques such as budgeting, cost-volume-profit analysis, and decision-making.Students will receive credit for only one of FMGT 1116 or 4816. FMGT 1116 may not be used to satisfy the FMGT 4816 requirement.Students in the Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting are not permitted to register in this course.

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LIBR 3210 Online Research and Analysis
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 1.0

This course focuses on effective methodologies to research, consult, and report on information resource findings in an online environment. Students will retrieve and evaluate information in discipline-related research, services, programs, and policies from formal and informal online sources. Students will be able to evaluate and select suitable resources that illustrate potential "best practices" and recognize circumstances requiring exhaustive versus exemplary research. Utilizing a variety of technologies, students will develop strategies to maintain currency in both technology literacy and the literature of the specific discipline. Research findings will be summarized in a report with recommendations and posted in an online environment for review by peers and other stakeholders.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; or permission of the department.

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MARK 3150 Social Media Strategy
3

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 0.0 | Lab: 0.0

To succeed in today's economy, organizations must incorporate social media into their marketing and business strategies. In this course, students examine the role of social media today and how to use it to meet organizational goals. Through a variety of methods and activities such as lectures, guest speakers, case studies, applied projects, industry certification (e.g. Hootsuite Academy certification) and simulations, students learn the fundamental principles and techniques for designing and developing effective social media goals, objectives, and strategies for all types of organizations.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 54 credits including a minimum "C" grade in MARK 1115 and six credits of university-transferable English or communications.

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MARK 3250 Public Relations
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 2.0 | Lab: 0.0

This course provides students with an understanding of the role public relations plays within a variety of organizations. This course is aimed at preparing students to identify key stakeholder groups for a company and design programs for these groups. Students will practice using the public relations "tools of the trade." The material will be taught using lectures, case studies, guest speakers and group/individual assignments.Students will receive credit for only one of MARK 2450 or 3250.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum 54 credits including a minimum "C" grade in CMNS 2228, MARK 1115, and six credits of university-transferable English or communications.

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RECR 3120 Promoting Wellness within Communities
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 1.0

Students investigate the role recreation practitioners play in the development of wellness in individuals, organizations, and communities. Students assess their own wellness and create personal plans for behavioural changes to contribute to a balanced lifestyle. Building on this personal experience, students research and analyze wellness in organizations and communities to make informed recommendations for improving organizational and community wellness.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; or permission of the department.

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RECR 3160 Leisure Theory and Applications
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

The recreation field has a rich history of theory and practice. In this course, students examine the advanced foundations of leisure theory and recreation practice. Students explore key topics within the history, psychology, philosophy, and sociology of leisure, and they consider their implications in the field of recreation.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160; or permission of the department.

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RECR 3200 Management of Community Events and Festivals
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 1.0

Using community development and project management approaches, students plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate a community event. They create an event manual that documents all functional areas of the event planning, delivery, and evaluation.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; or permission of the department.

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RECR 3230 Leadership and Management in Community Recreation
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

Students examine the theory and practice of enthusiastic, respectful, effective leadership in recreation. Students analyze concepts and skills that can enhance positive change in groups, teams, and organizations. Students also examine self-awareness, values, diversity, and creativity as they apply to their own leadership and leadership in the field of recreation.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160; or permission of the department.

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RECR 3260 Managing Cultural Programming in the Community
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

Responding to the increase of arts and culture programming in the field of recreation, it is important for recreation professionals to hold a theoretical understanding for community cultural development (CCD) from community assessment, to funding models. In this class, students develop necessary arts administration skills by creating a CCD project proposal that addresses a need of a specific community group, develops partnership relations, and identifies the artist(s), culminating in the writing of a municipal cultural grant to support this proposal. Students examine and analyze collaborative community engagement with local, regional, and global points of view to expand their understanding on how to grow civic arts programming.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160; or permission of the department.

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RECR 4150 Community Recreation Systems
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

Students investigate and analyze recreation systems in a chosen community, ranging from health to local tourism. Using systems theory as a framework and best practices research, students explore recreation-related systems and compare and contrast them to recreation systems in other communities. Researching factors such as demographics, values, cultures, and economics, students analyze recreation systems and recommend the feasibility of incorporating alternate recreation systems and relationships into their chosen community.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160; or permission of the department.

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RECR 4160 Professionalism in Recreation Management
3

Lecture Hours: 2.0 | Seminar: 2.0 | Lab: 0.0

Students investigate key aspects of professionalism in the management of recreation. Students explore the characteristics of human services professionals and then apply those characteristics to the practice of recreation leadership. Using contemporary, recreation-based case studies, and building on foundational principles of the field students develop a framework for professional thinking and ethical decision-making.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160; or permission of the department.

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RECR 4270 Management of Recreation Facility Systems
3

Lecture Hours: 3.0 | Seminar: 1.0 | Lab: 0.0

Students analyze the planning process for recreation facilities including designing a needs assessment plan, interpreting needs assessment data, and exploring the impacts of organizational governance on facility resources. They apply evaluative tools to measure the performance of a recreation facility, create a business case to justify facility enhancements, and recommend strategies to mitigate the effects of service disruptions caused by facility maintenance/upgrades.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and the Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 60 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160; or permission of the department.

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RECR 4400 Applied Major Project
6

Lecture Hours: 4.0 | Seminar: 12.0 | Lab: 0.0

In this capstone course, students complete a community recreation-based project in an organization. Students work closely with assigned instructors who supervise the projects, provide advice, and evaluate students' performance. Through this course, students will link their academic studies to real-world applications. Students create their own research question and partner with a private, public, or not-for-profit recreation organization to explore the question using primary and secondary research. Students develop and demonstrate skills in the area of academics, self-directed learning, project management, communication, social interaction, methods of applied research, ethical decision-making, and professionalism. In this capstone course, students have the opportunity to apply the concepts, skills, and techniques developed in previous coursework.Students will receive credit for only one of RECR 4300 or 4400.Registration in this course is restricted to students admitted to the Bachelor of Recreation Management and Diploma in Recreation Leadership.Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of 105 credits including a minimum "C" grade in six credits of university-transferable English or communications; and a minimum "C" grade in RECR 1160 and 3160. Students must be in the final semester of the program.

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One
university-transferable elective
A university-transferable elective is defined as any course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at UBC, SFU, UVIC, or UNBC.
3
One
university-transferable elective at the 3000-level or higher
A university-transferable elective is defined as any course that has assigned or unassigned transfer credit at UBC, SFU, UVIC, or UNBC.
3
60 Credits

Program Option Notes:

  1. Students are advised to review individual course descriptions for prerequisites.
  2. Please note that students are responsible for their maintenance of standing while enrolled in the Bachelor of Recreation Management. Students must complete all of the 3000 and 4000 level RECR courses with a minimum "C" grade in order to be eligible to register in RECR 4400: Applied Major Project.