Natural Resources
Protection - PRM 401 Syllabus
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Natural Resources
Protection - PRM 401 Syllabus |
Northern Arizona University
Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation
Park Ranger Training Program
Credit Hours: 3
Clock Hours: 48
Instructors: Mark J. Maciha
Office Phone: (928) 523-8242
Office address: SBS West (Bldg 70) - 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.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
NAU expects every student to firmly adhere to a strong ethical code of academic integrity in all their scholarly pursuits. The primary attributes of academic integrity are honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and responsibility. As a student, you are expected to submit original work while giving proper credit to other people’s ideas or contributions. Acting with academic integrity means completing your assignments independently while truthfully acknowledging all sources of information, or collaboration with others when appropriate. When you submit your work, you are implicitly declaring that the work is your own. Academic integrity is expected not only during formal coursework, but in all your relationships or interactions that are connected to the educational enterprise. All forms of academic deceit such as plagiarism, cheating, collusion, falsification or fabrication of results or records, permitting your work to be submitted by another, or inappropriately recycling your own work from one class to another, constitute academic misconduct that may result in serious disciplinary consequences. All students and faculty members are responsible for reporting suspected instances of academic misconduct. All students are encouraged to complete NAU’s online academic integrity workshop available in the E-Learning Center and should review the full academic integrity policy available at https://policy.nau.edu/policy/policy.aspx?num=100601.
COURSE TIME COMMITMENT
Pursuant to Arizona Board of Regents guidance (Academic Credit Policy 2-224), for every unit of credit, a student should expect, on average, to do a minimum of three hours of work per week, including but not limited to class time, preparation, homework, and studying.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR
Membership in NAU’s academic community entails a special obligation to maintain class environments that are conductive to learning, whether instruction is taking place in the classroom, a laboratory or clinical setting, during course-related fieldwork, or online. Students have the obligation to engage in the educational process in a manner that does not breach the peace, interfere with normal class activities, or violate the rights of others. Instructors have the authority and responsibility to address disruptive behavior that interferes with student learning, which can include the involuntary withdrawal of a student from a course with a grade of “W”. For additional information, see NAU’s disruptive behavior policy at https://nau.edu/university-policy-library/disruptive-behavior.
NONDISCRIMINATION AND ANTI-HARASSMENT
NAU prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Due to potentially unethical consequences, certain consensual amorous or sexual relationships between faculty and students are also prohibited. The Equity and Access Office (EAO) responds to complaints regarding discrimination and harassment that fall under NAU’s Safe Working and Learning Environment (SWALE) policy. EAO also assists with religious accommodations. For additional information about SWALE or to file a complaint, contact EAO located in Old Main (building 10), Room 113, PO Box 4083, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, or by phone at 928-523-3312 (TTY: 928-523-1006), fax at 928-523-9977, email at equityandaccess@nau.edu, or via the EAO website at https://nau.edu/equity-and-access.
TITLE IX
Title IX is the primary federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender in educational programs or activities. Sex discrimination for this purpose includes sexual harassment, sexual assault or relationship violence, and stalking (including cyber-stalking). Title IX requires that universities appoint a “Title IX Coordinator” to monitor the institution’s compliance with this important civil rights law. NAU’s Title IX Coordinator is Pamela Heinonen, Director of the Equity and Access Office located in Old Main (building 10), Room 113, PO Box 4083, Flagstaff, AZ 86011. The Title IX Coordinator is available to meet with any student to discuss any Title IX issue or concern. You may contact the Title IX Coordinator by phone at 928-523-3312 (TTY: 928-523-1006), by fax at 928-523-9977, or by email at pamela.heinonen@nau.edu. In furtherance of its Title IX obligations, NAU will promptly investigate and equitably resolve all reports of sex or gender-based discrimination, harassment, or
sexual misconduct and will eliminate any hostile environment as defined by law. Additional important information about Title IX and related student resources, including how to request immediate help or confidential support following an act of sexual violence, is available at http://nau.edu/equity-and-access/title-ix.
ACCESSIBILITY
Professional disability specialists are available at Disability Resources to facilitate a range of academic support services and accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability, you can request assistance by contacting Disability Resources at 928-523-8773 (voice), 928-523-6906 (TTY), 928-523-8747 (fax), or dr@nau.edu (e-mail). Once eligibility has been determined, students register with Disability Resources every semester to activate their approved accommodations. Although a student may request an accommodation at any time, it is best to initiate the application process at least four weeks before a student wishes to receive an accommodation. Students may begin the accommodation process by submitting a self-identification form online at https://nau.edu/disability-resources/student-eligibility-process or by contacting Disability Resources. The Director of Disability Resources, Jamie Axelrod, serves as NAU’s Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator and Section 504 Compliance Officer. He can be reached at jamie.axelrod@nau.edu.
RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
Students who engage in research at NAU must receive appropriate Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. This instruction is designed to help ensure proper awareness and application of well-established professional norms and ethical principles related to the performance of all scientific research activities. More information regarding RCR training is available at https://nau.edu/research/compliance/research-integrity.
MISCONDUCT IN RESEARCH
As noted, NAU expects every student to firmly adhere to a strong code of academic integrity in all their scholarly pursuits. This includes avoiding fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism when conducting research or reporting research results. Engaging in research misconduct may result in serious disciplinary consequences. Students must also report any suspected or actual instances of research misconduct of which they become aware. Allegations of research misconduct should be reported to your instructor or the University’s Research Integrity Officer, Dr. David Faguy, who can be reached at david.faguy@nau.edu or 928-523-6117. More information about Misconduct in Research is available at https://nau.edu/university-policy-library/misconduct-in-research.
SENSITIVE COURSE MATERIALS
University education aims to expand student understanding and awareness. Thus, it necessarily involves engagement with a wide range of information, ideas, and creative representations. In their college studies, students can expect to encounter and to critically appraise materials that may differ from and perhaps challenge familiar understandings, ideas, and beliefs. Students are encouraged to discuss these matters with faculty.
