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Park Ranger Training ProgramNorthern Arizona
University |
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Park Ranger Training ProgramNorthern Arizona
University |
Northern Arizona University
Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation
Park Ranger Training Program
Syllabus—PRM 401
Natural Resources Protection
Fall 2012
Credit Hours: 3
Clock Hours: 48
Instructors: Mark J. Maciha
Office Phone and Fax: (928) 523-8242, (928) 523-2275 (fax)
Office address: SBS West - Room 256
Office hours: 0800-1000 Tuesdays and Thursdays, other times by appointment
Email: mark.maciha@nau.edu
Course Description
This course introduces Federal regulations which provide protection of America’s natural resources. Evolution and applicability of environmental laws regulating consumptive and non-consumptive uses of plants, wildlife, and fish are discussed. Letter grade only. Corequisite: PRM 310 and PRM 311
Student Learning Expectations
This training program is designed to prepare the seasonal law enforcement ranger to perform law enforcement in areas administered by the National Park Service. Successful graduates will be eligible to receive a Type II Seasonal Law Enforcement Commission, issued by the appropriate park superintendent. This commission enables the bearer to carry firearms, make arrests, investigate violations of the Code of Federal Regulations, investigate motor vehicle accidents (excluding fatalities), take initial reports on felonies and fatalities and assist in the follow-up investigations under the supervision and direction of an employee with Permanent Type I law enforcement authority and serve subpoenas and assist in the serving of a warrant under the immediate direction of an employee with Permanent Type I law enforcement authority.
At the completion of the course, students will be able to meet the terminal and enabling performance objectives detailed in the NPS Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program syllabus and to describe the role and function of all park management functions in resource protection.
PRM 401 supplements PRM 310 and PRM 311 through a discussion of resource law, park resources at risk, park protection methodology, and exploration of park resource management strategies and techniques implemented at a national park. The course includes facilitated lecture, small group activities, individual work products, and a group presentation.
This course is a critical component of NAU’s Park Ranger Training Program. Although the course exceeds the requirements of and is distinct from the NPS Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program, all Park Ranger Training Program students are required to participate in the course, regardless of their credit or non-credit status.
This course is based on the philosophy that quality student learning is achieved through theory and application. The course goals and objectives may be accomplished through:
· Attending scheduled class meetings and practical exercises
· Conducting study and research outside of class
· Active engagement with instructors and students in the learning process
All required materials are provided and loaned to each student. .
Recommended Optional Materials/References
Optional materials will be posted on the Blackboard Learn page for the class. The instructor may suggest outside resources for the class and/or individual students to address issues of interest or concern.
The course outline is as follows and is detailed in a separate schedule that will be provided at the start of the program:
NPS SLETP Topics
114 NPS Law Enforcement Policy
115 Cultural Resource Law
409 Threats Against Resource Officers
Natural Resource Protection Topics/Activities
Protection of Park Resources
Resource Risk
Park Visit and Division Chief Interviews
Group Presentations
Park Management Team Exercise
Methods of Assessment:
Attendance and Participation: Attendance and participation in classroom discussions, group activities, and the park visit
Research Paper: One individual research paper that comprehensively addresses a park resource protection issue identified during the park visit
Group Presentation: Participation in a group presentation on a self-selected park discipline (e.g., resource management, interpretation) that summarizes the information obtained during the interview of a park division chief during the park visit.
Timeline for Assessment:
Continuous through the semester. Details are noted on the Park Ranger Training Program schedule. The research paper, group presentation, and management team exercise are generally scheduled in the last one-third of the program.
Make-up Activities: Students should make every effort to attend the scheduled class sessions. Since many of the sessions involve outside instructors and field activities, make-up work can be problematic. Replacement work will be assigned at the discretion of the instructor.
Attendance: Attendance will be recorded at each class session and it is the student’s responsibility to sign the roster for each session.
Plagiarism: This course requires professional and ethical behavior. Plagiarism or any other form of cheating (including falsification of attendance records) violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Acts of academic dishonesty are regarded by the university as very serious offenses. Students charged with academic dishonesty are subject to the Arizona Board of Regents Code of Conduct and Procedures established by NAU. NAU policies and statements are included in this syllabus.
Please see http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/academicadmin/plcystmt.html for the following policies:
§ Students with Disabilities
§ Institutional Review Board
§ Academic Integrity
§ Academic Contact Hour Policy
§ Sensitive Course Materials
Classroom Management Statement
Membership in the academic community places a special obligation an all members to preserve an atmosphere conducive to a safe and positive learning environment. Part of that obligation implies the responsibility to each member of the NAU community to maintain an environment in which the behavior of any individual is not disruptive.
It is the responsibility of each student to behave in a manner which does not interrupt or disrupt the delivery of education by faculty members or receipt of education by students, within or outside the classroom. The determination of whether such interruption or disruption has occurred has to be made by the faculty member to maintain and enforce the standards of behavior acceptable to preserving an atmosphere for teaching and learning in accordance with University regulations and the course syllabus.
At a minimum, students will be warned if their behavior is evaluated by the faculty member as disruptive. Serious disruptions, as determined by the faculty member, may result in immediate removal of the student from the instructional environment. Significant and/or continued violations may result in an administrative withdrawal from the class. Additional responses by the faculty member to disruptive behavior may include a range of actions from discussing the disruptive behavior with the student to referral to the appropriate academic unit and/or the Office of Student Life for administrative review, with a view to implement corrective action up to and include suspension or expulsion.
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2001. Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED