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Outdoor Education Course Descriptions   

Mainland Sea Caves, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on the South Shore of
Lake Superior

The Physical Education and Outdoor Education Liberal Education Requirement:
All courses 028-076 fulfill the Physical Education (PED)/Outdoor Education (OED) liberal education requirement.  Courses will be letter graded, but students may opt to take these courses on a pass/fail (S/U) basis by registering his/her intent with the Office of the Registrar within the first two weeks.   

2004-2006 Catalog

OED 028   Mountain Biking
An introductory level class covering proper riding technique and risk management for on- and off-road conditions, environmental impact and etiquette, equipment maintenance and repair, and local on- and off-road riding experiences.  Students must provide his/her own bicycle and helmet. Fee. Offered every fall. Liberal Education: Personal Wellness.  1 Credit.  Offered every fall. 

Students cooperate in launching a canoe in The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

OED 035   Basic Canoeing- Fall Term
OED 035   Basic Canoeing Syllabus- May Term

OED 036   Whitewater Canoeing
Prerequisite: OED 035
 An advanced skills class for students with basic proficiency in the following strokes: low brace, high brace, scull, draw, power, "j", pry, cross bow, and reverse. The student must also have had some experience with the following river moves: eddy turn, peel out, up and downstream ferries, and basic river rescue. This course will expand on these skills using the American Canoe Association format and teaching progressions. Fee. Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 2 credits

OED 037   Basic River Kayaking

Risk management techniques for flat, moving, and whitewater boating as well as the basic strokes for propulsion, the Eskimo roll, and English gate sequence will be taught.  Included will be the river techniques:  up- and down-stream ferries, the eddy turn, the peel out, and basic river rescues.  Fee.  Offered every fall.  Liberal Education:  Personal Wellness. 1 credit

A Northland student plays in a hole during an Intermediate Decked Boating class.

OED 044   Snowshoeing
This course will cover snowshoeing equipment, technique, and risk management with weekly trips and an emphasis on natural history in the winter environment. Fee.  Offered every winter.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 1 credit

OED 048   Cross-Country Skiing
Beginning skills in cross-country skiing including equipment, base preparation, waxing, classical and skating techniques (depending on time constraints and student interest), and basic winter risk management will be taught. Fee. Offered every winter.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 1 credit

OED 049   Advanced Cross-Country Skiing
Prerequisite: OED 048 
This class combines classroom and lab work. It includes ski equipment selection and care, base preparation, all facets of skating and classical skiing techniques, and the basics conditioning and training for racing. Fee. Offered sporadically, according to demand.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 2 credits

OED 050 Outdoor Education Special Topics
OED 050 Earth Skills

1 credit

OED 051   Introduction to Winter Recreation
Introduction to Winter Recreation gives students an overview of three different forms of recreation popular in the north country; cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dogsledding.  Students will receive basic instruction in each of the three disciplines, as well as dressing for winter recreation, risk management, trail skills, and an opportunity to enjoy several local outdoor recreation areas. Fee. Does not count as a winter skills course for OE majors.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 1 credit

OED 052   Dogsledding
An introduction to dogsledding, the course includes history of the sport, the current state of dogsledding, risk management, and a close look at owning and caring for a small team.  The course includes hands-on experience handling dogs and running a team. Fee. Offered every winter. Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 1 credit

OED 053   Rock Climbing
This is a basic climbing course emphasizing risk management, belaying, introduction to anchor systems and set-ups, rappelling, climbing techniques, knots, basic rescue, and terminology.  Top rope climbing only. Fee. Offered every fall. Liberal Education: Personal Wellness.             1 credit

Advanced Rock Climbing students set up climbs at Blue Mound State Park in Minnesota during spring break.

OED 054   Advanced Rock Climbing
Prerequisite: OED 053 
Enhancement of climbing skills and teaching abilities of students with a basic climbing background. Mastering of basic top-rope skills, anchor systems, and basic rescues followed by an introduction to lead climbing theory and technique. Additional emphasis will be placed on teaching techniques associated with rock climbing.  Fee.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 2 credits

OED 063   Wilderness Navigation- Fall Term
OED 063   Wilderness Navigation- May Term
This is a study of beginning through advanced orienteering and navigational techniques. Included will be sections on map reading, compass use, map and compass techniques, navigation, orienteering techniques, and orienteering course setting. Fee.  Offered Spring and Fall 2007 and alternate years. Liberal Education: Personal Wellness.            1 credit

OED 064 Basic Backpacking
This is an introductory level backpacking course covering equipment, clothing, menu planning, basic cooking skills, map and compass navigation, on-trail hiking techniques, risk management, and minimum impact camping. Includes off- campus trip.  Fee.  Offered every fall.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 1 credit

OED 065   Advanced Backpacking
Prerequisite: OED 064 
Advanced skills class covering cold weather techniques, off-trail navigation, group risk management, leadership skills, environmental ethics, hazard evaluation, trip planning and creative cooking.  Includes off-campus trip. Fee. Not offered on a regular basis.  Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 2 credits

Lake Superior stretches to the horizon as students paddle a sea kayak near brownstone cliffs.

OED 076 Advanced Sea Kayaking
The course begins with two days of intermediate and advanced kayak skills, navigation, and rescue training in preparation for a five day saltwater trip off the coast of North America (Outer Banks, North Carolina, or Gulf Islands, Mississippi). Students will sharpen and test paddling skills, route finding abilities, low impact camping skills, and judgment in a variety of conditions as they make their way along some of North America's most pristine barrier islands. Includes instruction in expedition planning and group dynamics, and may include opportunities for individuals to lead the group for a period of time. Course meets during spring break. Fee. Liberal Education: Personal Wellness. 2 credits

OED 105   Introduction to Outdoor Education
Survey of the Outdoor Education profession and methods used in outdoor education.  Includes field experience in the various aspects of the Outdoor Education Core. Topics commonly covered include adventure education, environmental education, Native American studies, therapeutic and universal programming, and the interpretation of the biological and geological land base. Fee.  Offered every fall.          3 credits 

OED 149   Winter Expedition Skills
A course for outdoor education majors that combines the skills necessary for safe winter travel; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing will be learned and combined with a winter expedition.  The course will also involve winter risk management, nutrition, survival skills, ice rescues, snow shelters, winter ecology, navigation, and winter cooking. Emphasis is placed on methods of teaching those skills. Fee.  Offered every fall. 2 credits

OED 181 Outdoor Orientation Leader
Prerequisites: OED 180 and sophomore standing
Graded S/U. Repeatable. 1 credit

OED 221   Group Process and Communication
This course gives the student a broad theoretical and experiential background in group process.  Skills include group communications, problem solving, team building, leadership, and conflict resolution.  Students learn and practice designing a variety of group experiences. Fee.  Offered every fall. 3 credits

OED 240   Wilderness Emergency Care
This introductory, foundations course describes the anatomy and physiology of major systems in health, injury, and disease to explain emergency care procedures in both the urban environment, and the extended care context of wilderness environments.  Diagnostic methods, problem solving, improvisation, risk management, and leadership will be emphasized. Fee. Offered every winter. 4 credits

Wilderness Emergency Care students learn how to improvise a spine immobilization device and monitor vital signs using standard camping and climbing gear.

OED 248   Wilderness Writers and Philosophers
This course surveys the development of the idea of wilderness.  Readings include such writers as Thoreau, Turner, Oeleschlaeger, Nash, Zwinger, and Williams. Course work will include readings, discussion, wildland retreats, guest speakers, and reflection papers on the widely-discussed idea of wilderness.  Fee.  Offered every winter.  Liberal Education:  Environmental Perspectives. 3 credits

OED 261   Environmental Education Curriculum Review
Explores the multitude of resources and techniques available to educators who want to share their knowledge, interest, or concern for the environment with others.  Students receive exposure, training, or certification in Project Wild, Project Wet, Leopold Education Project, Teaching for a Sustainable World, and others suitable for infusion into a variety of grades and subjects.  This course focuses on hands-on experience and community outreach to a variety of audiences.  Fee. Offered every fall.  Liberal Education: Environmental Perspectives.                     3 credits

OED 270   Challenge Course Facilitation and Management
An introduction to the history and current practices in challenge courses in America, current practices in design, facilitation, and evaluation of curricula in adventure-based programs for high and low challenge course programs. Students will also be introduced to current practices in challenge course technology and universal access.  Includes practice in facilitation of challenge course activities. Offered every spring. Fee.                     3 credits

OED 279   Access and Diversity
Areas of study include development of inclusive attitudes toward people with disabilities and other power-down members of society.  Topics include an introduction to barrier-free outdoor programs, characteristics and needs of a variety of populations, and the use of activities to promote self-actualization. Fee. Offered every fall. 3 credits

OED 285   Foundations and Principles of Adventure Education
This course will introduce students to the historical, psychological, social, and philosophical foundations of Adventure Education.  In addition, the course will look closely at the principles related to the facilitation of adventure-based programs. Fee.  Offered every winter.   3 credits

OED 289   Spring Transition
Primarily field ornithology and botany, this is a natural history course that includes surveys of life forms in a variety of plant communities. The course includes bird banding, herpetology surveys, plant keys, data collection, recognition of sounds, and observation techniques.  Camping and canoeing skills are used. The diverse Audubon Center property and the St. Croix River and Mississippi River drainages are the main focus. Fee.  Offered every spring. 4 credits

PED 301 Musculoskeletal Anatomy
This course will present a study of the anatomy and function of the human skeletal, articular (joint), and muscular systems as they function within the contexts of Physical Education, athletics, Outdoor Education/Therapeutic and Universal Design, Physical, and Occupational Therapy, and the biological sciences. Offered every fall.  4 credits

PED 303 Analysis of Human Performance
Prerequisite: PED 301 

This course offers a study of the basic elements of exercise physiology and some biomechanics as they apply to athletic activities and outdoor pursuits. It is designed for the Coaching minor, Physical Education major, and the Outdoor Education/Therapeutic and Universal Design major. Others admitted by consent of instructor. Offered Fall 2006 and alternate years, and Winter 2008 and alternate years. 4 credits

OED 322   Theory of Teaching Physical Skills
This is a study of motor learning, or teaching/learning theory as it applies to physical skills. The course includes a summary and critique of the research in the field, and study of techniques for analyzing and classifying skills and movements, modification of activities as appropriate for students of various learning abilities, development of teaching progressions, theories of learning and retention, and teaching techniques. Offered winter of 2007 and fall of 2007 in alternate years. 3 credits

OED 330 NOLS Course
(25-35 days) 4 credits

OED 346   Wilderness Instructor Training
Designed as instructor training in backpacking, navigation, water travel and top rope rock climbing for Outdoor Education majors and involves students in a variety of wilderness environments.  Field leadership skills are emphasized in this expedition-oriented course. Teaching techniques as well as risk management, group dynamics and basic wilderness ethics are all applied. Off campus. Fee.  Recommended: OED 240 or WFR.  Offered every spring. 4 credits

OED 349   Search and Rescue
Coverage includes techniques of lost victim search, search design, high angle rescue, and swift water rescue. It combines lecture and lab to equip students with the skills and background required to function as useful members of a sophisticated search or rescue effort. Fee. Offered Fall 2004 and alternate years, and Spring 2006 and alternate years.                    4 credits

OED 350 Outdoor Education Special Topics
1 to 2 credits

OED 361   Interpretive Program Design
 

Block Options 

Fall Interpretive Block
Fall Interpretive Block is a combination of three courses in the Outdoor Education program.  (OED 381 Outdoor Education Teaching Techniques, 382 Outdoor Education Practicum, 383 Ecological Ecosystem Interpretation in Natural Science.)  It is a resident program at the Audubon Center of the North Woods that explores both geology and biology interpretation and their interrelationships.  It provides opportunities for students to teach in a variety of settings while developing their own personal knowledge.  The session includes interpretive field trips to various Minnesota sites and participation in an outdoor education leadership program. 

Winter Therapeutic Block
Winter Therapeutic Block's combination of courses explores therapeutic and universal design within outdoor education (OED 378 Adventure Programming and Leadership, OED 379 Therapeutic Design, OED 381 Outdoor Education Teaching Techniques, and OED 382 Outdoor Education Practicum).  Traditional and adventure activities are designed, researched, and programmed with mixed ability groups.  Students apply concepts of prescriptive programming and universal design while teaching in a variety of outdoor education settings.  The block itself is a period of commitment to the outdoor education field and is an opportunity for students to test their skills, knowledge, desire, and career goals, while sharing many topics of discussion and interest with the instructors and students. 

OED 378   Adventure Programming and Leadership
Prerequisites: One of OED 221, PSY 303, PSY 315, or PGS 215, and concurrent enrollment in Winter block 
Leadership techniques for individuals and groups combined with programming principles including philosophy, needs assessment development, implementation and evaluation of recreational programs. Theory will be applied through a series of actual programming experiences. Must be taken concurrently with all four Winter Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block courses. 4 credits

OED 379   Therapeutic Design
Prerequisites: OED 279, and concurrent enrollment in Winter block
An examination of outdoor education as used in a therapeutic context. This course exposes students to the use of goals, objectives, program design, and development for prescriptive programs. Students apply theory in cooperative partnerships with community agencies. Fee. Offered every winter. Must be taken concurrently with all four Winter Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block courses. 4 credits

OED 381   Outdoor Education Teaching Techniques
Fall Block Prerequisites: GSC 120, OED 361 or EDU 305, and junior standing
Recommended Preparation:  OED/EDU 261

Winter Block Prerequisites:  PED 045, one of OED 221, PGS 215, PSY 303, or PSY 315, and junior standing 

Development of understanding and proficiency in outdoor education teaching theories and techniques and creation of lesson plans and instructional materials for use in a variety of settings.  Fall Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block students focus on natural history interpretive programs, Native American crafts, and wild food workshops for trail adventure programs and school and public programs.  Winter Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block students focus on teaching initiative activities for personal growth, adaptive alpine ski instruction, and the experiential education cycle. In addition, Winter Block students spend nine days as volunteer adaptive ski instructors at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center in Colorado.  Offered every fall and winter. Fee. Must be taken concurrently with Fall or Winter Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block courses. 4 credits

OED 382   Outdoor Education Practicum
An application of many of the skills of outdoor education. Fall Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block students complete a two-week nature center internship and develop a proposal to lead an interpretive weekend program. The internship provides students with experience at a center different from the Audubon Center of the North Woods, exposing them to teaching styles of other professionals and to new teaching experiences.  The weekend program allows students to plan travel, equipment, food, budget, safety, and lesson plans for the trip.  Winter Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block students focus on developing programs for youth at risk and teaching adaptive alpine skiing. The various experiences allow students to manage travel, budget, logistics, risk, skills progression and presentation, program adeptation, and interagency coordination.  In addition, students complete a three-week internship at an outdoor or alternative education program exposing them to teaching styles of other professionals and to new teaching experiences. Fee. Offered every fall and winter. Must be taken concurrently with all Fall or Winter Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block courses.

4 credits

OED 383   Ecosystem Interpretation in Natural Science
Prerequisites: GSC 120, OED 361, and junior standing 
This course trains the student to interpret the full ecology of an area including geological, animal, plant, human and meteorological factors. Emphasis is on field application of previous course work to make the on-campus in-class experiences come alive.  Field experiences include trips to northern Minnesota and such topics as fire ecology, hardwood and coniferous forests, prairies, plant and animal distribution, natural patterns in ecological systems, and present and historic human uses and effects upon the land. Students will keep field interpretive journals, interpret from maps and other resources, complete field projects. Recommended preparation: OED 289. Fee. Offered every fall.  Must be taken concurrently with all three Fall Outdoor Educator Professional Development Block courses. 8 credits

OED 430 NOLS Semester
12 credits

OED 439   Therapeutic Principles and Practices
Prerequisites: OED 379 and PSY 110 
This course is the capstone course for the Outdoor Education major in Therapeutic and Universal Design.  Course content will include an in-depth study of the nature of specific disabling conditions and the use of therapeutic interventions for rehabilitation. Emphasis is placed on reading and interpretation of professional journal articles and on the professional expectations in a therapeutic team.  Students also individually produce and present, in a public forum, a professional quality paper on a topic relevant to field of Therapeutic Outdoor/Adventure Education. Fee.  Recommended preparation: PED 303. Offered every fall. 3 credits

OED 461   Apostle Islands School
Prerequisites: OED 381 and junior standing
This couse is the capstone course for the Outdoor Education Natural History major.  Students work with staff from the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, and a variety of community partners to design, lead, and evaluate day-long day and residential outdoor education experiences in the Apostle Islands for area 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Students prepare programs on Lake Superior's natural and cultural history, as well as hiking and camping skills.  Offered every spring. 4 credits

SPECIAL COURSE ENROLLMENT 
Students may register for special courses such as Independent Study (290/490), Field Experience (291/491), Internship (292/492), Teaching Assistantship (294/494), Research Assistantship (295/495), and Senior Capstone (496/497) by using a Special Course Registration Form available from the Registrar's Office.  Freshmen and sophomore students enroll in 200-level special courses; junior and senior students enroll in 400-level special courses.

 No more than 12 credits of Field Experience, Internship, and Teaching Assistantship may count toward a degree, except in Outdoor Education where the 12-credit limit does not include Teaching Assistantship.  See ACADEMIC AFFAIRS and sponsoring faculty members for more information about special course enrollment.