Courses

Dr. Larson’s Courses Taught at NC State

PRT 230 – Foundations of Outdoor Recreation Management (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: every semester (2017-present)

Enrollment: Undergrad, 20-40 students

Course Description: This course explores concepts and methods of outdoor recreation planning and management, with emphasis on public lands. Students will examine environmental and social impacts of recreation and develop strategies that promote quality visitor experiences and sustainable resource management. (Formerly PRT 350)

IPGE/PRT 295 – Nature, Health and Wellness (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Every fall (2022-present)

Enrollment: Undergrad, 25-30 students

Course Description: This course explores the many ways that parks, greenspace, and nature contribute to human health and well-being from multiple disciplinary perspectives, focusing on benefits associated with direct and indirect exposure to the natural environment, methods for assessing health behaviors and outcomes, and innovative initiatives that elevate the role of nature in personal and community-level health promotion.

PRT 500 – Conceptual Foundations of Recreation (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Fall 2017

Enrollment: Online graduate, 30-40 students

Course Description: Exploration of the conceptual foundations of leisure, recreation, sport, play, and work, the history of ideas in the field, and the relationships of these ideas to contemporary professional and social problems.

PRT 550 – Human Behavior and the Environment (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Every fall (2018-present)

Enrollment: Graduate, 10-15 students

Course Description: This course helps students understand the variety of cognitive, social, affective, and environmental factors that influence human behavior in natural resource contexts, with an emphasis on nature-based recreation experiences and conservation behaviors. Students will explore behavioral models from different disciplines, examine pathways to promote behavior change, and assess implications for park management, environmental stewardship, and natural resource conservation.

Dr. Larson’s Courses Taught at Other Universities

PRTM 2700 – Recreation Resource Management (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Spring 2015, Spring 2016 (Clemson Univ.)

Enrollment: Undergrad, 20-30 students

Course Description: Overview of the fundamentals of recreation resources management, including general management frameworks, management of specific environmental and cultural resources, management of visitors, and management of services.

PRTM 3200 – Recreation Policymaking (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Fall 2015 (Clemson Univ.)

Enrollment: Undergrad, about 25 students

Course Description: Overview of the structures and processes that guide public park and recreation policy development and implementation in the United States

PRTM 8110 – Research Methods in PRTM (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Online Spring 2016 (Clemson Univ.)

Enrollment: Grad, about 25 students

Course Description: Overivew of principles, methods, and strategies for planning, designing, evaluating, and applying studies of parks, recreation, and tourism management.

PRTM 8220 – Strategic Planning in PRTM Organizations (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Online Fall 2014, Online Fall 2015 (Clemson Univ.)

Enrollment: Grad, about 25 students

Course Description: Overview of strategic planning geared towards public sector and non-profit agencies including strategic planning models and approaches, developing organizational vision and mission, data gathering and analysis, identifying and understanding stakeholders, and implementation, assessment, and revision of strategic plans.

FANR 1100 – Natural Resource Conservation (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: TA – Spring 2008; Instructor – Fall 2010 (Univ. of Georgia)

Enrollment: Undergrad, about 140 students

Course Description: This lecture course introduces students to general principles and issues related to ecology and management of wildlife, fish, forests, and rangelands; natural resources recreation; conservation of water, wetlands, and soil resources; and renewable and nonrenewable energy.

FANR 3300 – Renewable Resource Economics

Semesters Taught: TA – Fall 2009 (Univ. of Georgia)

Enrollment: Undergrad, about 60 students

Course Description: This lecture/laboratory course provides students with an overview of the economic theory, tools, and analysis strategies commonly applied to a range of renewable resources (forests, wildlife, fisheries, water, etc.).

FANR 3400 – Society & Natural Resources (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: TA – Fall 2008; Instructor – Fall 2009 (Univ. of Georgia)

Enrollment: Undergrad, about 60 students

Course Description: This lecture/discussion course provides students with an introductory understanding of the importance of human values, attitudes, and potential conflicts in natural resource management decisions.

WILD 3580 – Vertebrate Natural History

Semesters Taught: TA & Lecturer – Spring 2010 (Univ. of Georgia)

Enrollment: Undergrad, about 80 students

Course Description: This lecture/laboratory course provides students with an introduction to the vertebrates with an emphasis on systematics, life history, behavior, and ecology. The lab emphasizes the identification and natural history of local fauna.

FANR 4271/6271 – Sustaining Human Societies & the Environment

Semesters Taught: TA – Summer 2008 (Study abroad in New Zealand)

Enrollment: Undergrad, about 35 students

Course Description: This Maymester Study Abroad course is an educational tour of New Zealand’s South Island. Students explore the diverse terrain of New Zealand, analyze human impacts on natural systems, and discuss international conservation issues.

NRRT 5800/7800 – Environmental Interpretation (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: TA – Fall 2007 (Univ. of Georgia)

Enrollment: Undergrad and Grad, about 15 students

Course Description: This applied course uses multiple instructional formats to focus on the philosophies, concepts, and practical techniques professional interpreters use to communicate information about the environment.

FANR 7900/9900 – Teaching Practicum (syllabus)

Semesters Taught: Instructor – Fall 2011; Instructor – Spring 2012 (Univ. of Georgia)

Enrollment: Grad, about 12 students

Course Description: This seminar-style course is designed to provide graduate students with an opportunity to learn about, practice, and discuss pedagogical approaches that are effective at the college level.