OED 285 Foundations and Principles of Adventure Education Page

Northland College Outdoor Education Home Course Descriptions

Wintry Sioux River, Chequamegon National Forest, northern Wisconsin

From a Ryan Brady Photo

Northland College

Department of Outdoor Education

OED 285 Foundations and Principles of Adventure Education

SYLLABUS

I. Course Information

Course: OED 285 Foundations and Principles of Adventure Education

Semester: Winter 2005

Class Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30-10:20 a.m.

Credits: 3 credits

Fee: $5.00

Texts: Adventure Programming by Miles and Priest; Two Old Women, by Wallis; Aids to Scoutmastership, by Baden-Powell; and Outward Bound U.S.A., by Miner and Boldt.

Deadlines:

January 21st is the last day to drop without record.

March 18th is the last day to withdraw without an F.

Instructor: Paul Van Horn

Office: Wheeler Hall 313

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Phone: 682-1324

E-mail: pvanhorn@northland.edu

II. Course Description:

This course will introduce students to the historical, psychological, social, and philosophical foundations of adventure education. In addition, this course will look closely at the principles related to the facilitation of adventure-based programs.

III. Intended Learning Outcomes:

Analyze the innate human need for “adventure” experiences.
Explain the aboriginal uses of “education through adventure”.
Explain the historical trends that created a need for the first formal, large-scale adventure education programs.
Describe the contributions of key adventure educators and organizations of the past
Identify and explain the various theories explaining how adventure-based curriculum help change learners.
Explain the need for hard and soft skills in AE, and the various aspects of each.
Present a portfolio of experiences related to the foundational principles of AE as outlined by one of the influential individuals studied in class.
Analyze key emerging trends in the field of AE..
Explain the concept of community obligation in AE.
Explain the use of metaphor in AE.

IV. Schedule:

*Please note that this schedule of class topics and assignments, and dates is tentative, and subject to change! Additionally, there will be in-class handouts, video material, and other resources that are not listed on this syllabus. If you miss a class, be sure you get this information from me, or a peer.

Graded assignments and their due dates will not change.

Date	Subject	Readings/Assignments for this class:
1/13	Defining AE; The human need for adventure
1/18	Defining AE; AE process; Role of AE in human cultures	All of Two Old Women; 1 page (or less) paper defining AE
1/20	Early historical roots of formal AE	2OW Quiz; Miles and Priest (MP) Ch.s 8, 15
1/24	Baden Powell and the Boy Scouts	Baden-Powell (chs TBA)
1/26	Seton	Baden-Powell (chs TBA
2/1	Kurt Hahn and Outward Bound	Miner Ch. 1-8
2/3	Hahn, BP and Craftsmanship	Craftsmanship handout, in-class project
2/8	1960s and 70s: NOLS, PA, BYU and TB	Remaining Miner Chapters (#s TBA); Quiz; craft due
2/10	The Deep Ecology/AE Connection: Friluftsliv	MP Chs. 57, 58, handouts
2/15	The Deep Ecology/AE Connection: Friluftsliv
2/17	Tying it all together: The philosophical basis of AE	Personal Challenge Plans due
2/21	Philosophical basis continued
2/24	The service ethos in AE	Handouts
2/28	The psychology of adventure	MP Ch 24,26, 31,
3/3	The psychology of adventure
3/5	The psychology of adventure
3/8	The psychology of adventure
3/10
3/15
3/17	Mid Term Exam
3/22	No Class: Mid Session Break
3/24	The adventure sequence	MP Ch. 28
3/28	Adventure leader skills	MP Ch. 32
3/31	Adventure leader skills
4/4	Facilitation Skills	MP Ch. 29
4/6	New trends in AE
4/12	Presentations on projects
4/14	Review for Final
	Week of 4/18: Final Exam scheduled for 4/22 at 10:30 a.m.

V. Evaluation:

Grades will be based on your performance in these areas:

1. Quizzes (15%)

2. Midterm exam (25%)

3. Craft Challenge (10%)

4. Interview or Organization Analysis Paper (25%)

5. Final Exam or AE Personal Challenge (25%)

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

A 100% - 95% A- 94% - 90% B+ 89% - 87% B 86% - 84% B- 83% - 80% C+ 79% - 77%

C 76% - 74% C- 73% - 70% D+ 69% - 65% D 64% - 60% F 59% - less

VI. Attendance:

Attendance and punctuality to each class is expected. Unjustified absences will affect your final grade. One third (1/3) of a letter grade will be deducted from your final grade (to a maximum of 20% off) for each unjustified absence or pattern of tardiness to class (i.e., two or more late arrivals to class).

Example: Final Grade A

1 absence A-

2 absences B+

3 absences B

etc...

You must justify your absence by calling my office before 8:30 on the day of the missing class. If you miss class, I expect you to seek me or your peers to review what has been discussed or presented in class.

VII. Professional Recommendation:

If you would like to receive a letter of recommendation for employment or graduate work based on your participation in this class you should consider the following: Be punctual and prepare for class by doing all your required readings. Actively participate in class discussions and exercises. Take initiative, do extra readings to explore your interest in group process, and help teach others by holding study sessions. Be a critical thinker; ask questions, challenge assumptions. Turn in your assignments on time. Be polite, professional and courteous.

VIII. Academic Assistance:

Students in need of academic or medical accommodation should contact Judi Holevatz, R.N., Disabilities Coordinator, @ ext. 1340, Rm. 206 of the Ponzio Center.