Course Syllabus

OLE 1535 Backpacking

Course Description

This course provides students an introduction to the fundamental skills and knowledge of backpacking. Students will learn about proper clothing and equipment, sheltering, cooking, travel techniques, safety, and Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. (Additional fee and field trip required.)

Justification

This course teaches fundamental principles of backpacking, including skill development, making informed decisions, exercising safety and risk management, contributing as an active member of a group, and understanding and practicing Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics; all while experiencing the natural world around them. This course may transfer as major credit, general education, or elective. It fulfills general education credit within the Integrated Exploration (IE) category.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students will have an opportunity to experience human cultures (particularly native indigenous cultures) and interact with the natural world first-hand. The course will utilize written assignments, discussion, and practical hands-on applications.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students are required to read, retrieve, and interpret a variety of data from charts, graphs, maps, online resources, and 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, written assignments, discussion, and practical hands-on applications.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will have opportunities to address complex problems. They will apply knowledge from multiple disciplines (including math, science, and social science) to evaluate and address problems such as route and campsite selection, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics, and group management. Students will be assessed through discussion, practical application, and written assignments.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will apply hands-on, critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical reasoning while backpacking in an outdoor environment. Students will be assessed through discussion, practical application, and written assignments.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. a) Students will apply teamwork, leadership and group management specific to an outdoor environment. Expedition behavior (teamwork) is an inherent aspect of this course. Students must work and collaborate with each other both in small groups and as a class to achieve course goals and outcomes. Individual actions actions (lack of teamwork) can lead to real-life consequences. Backpacking requires effective teams that can trust each other in demanding situations. Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment. a) Students will apply teamwork, leadership and group management specific to an outdoor environment. Expedition behavior (teamwork) is an inherent aspect of this course. Students must work and collaborate with each other both in small groups and as a class to achieve course goals and outcomes. Individual actions actions (lack of teamwork) can lead to real-life consequences. Backpacking requires effective teams that can trust each other in demanding situations. Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will exhibit knowledge and proper application of personal attire and equipment use.
2. Students will demonstrate proper travel and navigation techniques for backcountry terrain.
3. Students will demonstrate proper cooking and sheltering techniques for a backcountry environment.
4. Students will demonstrate and articulate backcountry safety.
5. Students will demonstrate appropriate Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics.
6. Students will perform as a contributing member of a small group as it relates to an outdoor environment.

Course Content

This course promotes a learning environment by focusing on building community, where each student has the opportunity to develop physically, emotionally and intellectually as it relates to backpacking. Efforts are made to make learningmeaningful and transferable by providing multiple perspectives and various viewpoints by using several methods/activities to deliver course content which focuses on fundamental backpacking skills and knowledge including: proper clothing and equipment, sheltering, cooking, travel techniques, safety, and Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics.