Course Syllabus

OLE 2550 Winter Technical Leadership

Course Description

This course provides a combination of theoretical background and technical aspects of leading and managing groups in winter environments, highlighting avalanche awareness, while utilizing specialized hands-on skill development such as snowshoeing, skiing, and ice climbing. It will emphasize specialized clothing/equipment selection, care, and maintenance, equipment nomenclature, technical aspects of avalanche awareness and assessment, backcountry travel and route finding, risk management, and related beacon search and rescue procedures. (Additional fee and field trips required.)

Justification

This course provides students the opportunity to develop and increase winter-based skills and techniques while addressing avalanche skills and leadership abilities beyond the participant level. This course is required to the OLE degree and certificates of proficiency. It helps prepare students to seek professional certifications.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum will have a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world, with particular emphasis on American institutions, the social and behavioral sciences, the physical and life sciences, the humanities, the fine arts and personal wellness.  Students will utilize a social science lens to study, understand, and apply theories, concepts, and phenomenon as it relates to outdoor leadership in a winter environment. Students will study historical and contemporary events and theories (including but not limited to decision-making, group development/teamwork, and communication). Additionally, case studies, individual and group projects, written assignments, discussion, and practical hands-on applications will be utilized.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and deliver information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students are required to read, retrieve, and interpret a variety of data from charts, graphs, maps, online resources, and current print sources to complete assignments and activities. Retrieving, evaluating, and interpreting accurate data is essential for group effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Students will be assessed through participation, and projects.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively about nature, culture, facts, values, ethics, and civic policy. Students will apply hands-on critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical reasoning while route finding, assessing avalanche potential, and ice climbing. This will be assessed through discussion, practical application, and written assignments. They will also develop an appreciation and understanding of nature and culture, by researching and presenting one of the seven principles of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics specific to winter environments.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can either (a) solve a problem using information and methodologies from more than one discipline; or (b) identify the College’s general education outcomes and explain ways in which they have achieved those outcomes.  A) Students will have opportunities to develop, utilize, and assess critical thinking and problem solving. They will apply knowledge from multiple disciplines (including math, science, and social science) to evaluate and address route selection, avalanche potential, and group management.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. A) Students will apply teamwork, outdoor leadership, and group management specific to winter environments. Teamwork is an inherent aspect of this course. The safety and success of this class depends on each member working together as a team. A lack of team effectiveness may result in real-life consequences (incorrectly judging avalanche potential). Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment A) Students will apply teamwork, outdoor leadership, and group management specific to winter environments. Teamwork is an inherent aspect of this course. The safety and success of this class depends on each member working together as a team. A lack of team effectiveness may result in real-life consequences (incorrectly judging avalanche potential). Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate outdoor leadership specific to a winter environment.
2. Identify and properly use activity specific equipment (snowshoes, skis, ice climbing).
3. Demonstrate an understanding of avalanche terrain, particularly from the perspective of stability analysis.
4. Identify how the snowpack develops and metamorphoses over time and the factors that contribute to spatial variability.
5. Utilize standard snow stability assessments and guidelines to record factors that influence or indicate snow stability.
6. Express knowledge of avalanche release and triggering mechanisms.
7. Apply snow stability analysis and forecasting framework.
8. Demonstrate beacon searches and companion rescue skills including multiple and deep burials.
9. Demonstrate appropriate Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics specific to winter environments.

Course Content

Outdoor Leadership in a Winter Environment: communication, group dynamics etc.
Clothing and Tools Specific for Winter Environments
Winter Skills: snowshoeing, skiing, ice climbing
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics for a Winter Environment
The Avalanche Equation
Mountain Snowpack
Snow Pits
Avalanche Beacons/Rescue
Navigation and Hazard Assessment
Winter Safety