FORESTRY 523
                   Advanced Resource Interpretation


INSTRUCTOR    Dr. Cem M. Basman
              OFFICE: 194D Agriculture Building
              453- 7476     hours:  to be arranged
              Home:   351- 7486  (last call 9:00 p.m.)

COURSE SCHEDULE    Offered Fall Semester, alternate years
                   2 Credit Hours

PREREQUISITE   Forestry 423 or consent of instructor


PURPOSE

There is a clear and present need for advancing the communication skills of natural resource managers in the public and private sectors. The current trend in managing natural resources entails understanding and influencing the behavior of the user publics.  Monitoring attitudes, trends and knowledge held by individual resource users are key components for developing communication and education strategies for achieving management objectives. Interpretation is the most effective means of influencing public behavior. The purpose of this course is to provide an advanced review of the theory and research based principles of resource interpretation for managing publics in natural resource settings.


CATALOG DESCRIPTION

Survey of theories and methods relating to resource interpretation planning and practice resulting from social science and persuasion research in communication, education, and marketing. Examines case studies and existing issues current to the profession of interpretation. Stresses relationship between theory and application in forest resource
settings.


COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will be exposed to various academic exercises in interpretation planning and will participate in the application of these skills in actual projects. Having successfully completed this course students will:

1.  Understand the theoretical underpinnings for the principles of resource interpretation.

2.  Understand and be able to explain the current trends and findings in resource interpretation research on a global scale.

3.  Be able to describe and explain the basic tenants of persuasion research and how these relate to resource interpretation.

4.  Be able to present an outlined plan to implement interpretation as a management tool in various natural resource settings.

5.  Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and constructs of interpretation in a real-life resource setting.

TOPIC OUTLINE

1.  Survey of Interpretation Research (readings)    15%

  1. Planning and Administration
b) Interpretation as a Management Tool
c) International and Global Interpretation
d) Diversity and ADA
e) Personal and Non-personal Interpretation
f) National Association for Interpretation

2.  Theoretical Principles of Interpretation     20%
  1. Visitor Studies
b) Program Evaluation

3.  Interpretation as Persuasive Communication Process   20%
  1. Principles of Persuasion
b) Interpretation Models

4.  Case Studies in Interpretation      15%
  1. Survey of current topical issues and advances)

5.  Practicum in Advanced Interpretation     30%
  1. Project: Regional Resource Interpretation Plan


TEXTBOOKS

Beck, Larry and Cable, Ted. 1998. Interpretation for the 21st Century -- Fifteen Guiding Principles for Interpreting Nature and Culture. Sangamore Press, Urbana, Illinois.

Cialdini, Robert. 1993. Influence -- Science and Practice. Harper Collins College Publishers, New York.

Lee, Cassandra (Ed.)  1998. Bibliography of Interpretive Resources. The National Association for Interpretation, Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Tilden, Freeman.  1977. Interpreting our Heritage. North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.

*** Current issues of: Journal of Interpretation Research. Ted Cable (Ed.) National Association for Interpretation, Ft. Collins, Colorado.


GRADING

Grading will be determined on the basis of performance in two exams (mid-term and final), various class projects, and a final project report. Participation in class discussions and presentations will be encouraged. Attendance will be mandatory.

  1. Grading Scale:

=   - 90 %  A
80 - 89 %  B
70 - 79 %  C
60 - 69 %  D
=   - 59 %  F

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