WLEE 101 Introduction to Outdoor Education
3 Semester Hours
This course explores the theories, principles and skills of wilderness leadership and experiential education, including the historical and philosophical foundations. Field experiences may include minimum impact backcountry travel and living skills, environmental ethics and interpretation, navigation, climbing, canoeing, sea kayaking and trail service opportunities. There is a required weekend trip.
WLEE 200* Leadership and Group Dynamics in Outdoor Pursuits
3 Semester Hours
This course is offered as a component of the Immersion Semester in which five interrelated courses are taught in an on-going fashion. This course will study theories and principles of small group dynamics, leadership principles, including problem solving, group member roles, decision making, ethical issues, communication skills and a variety of other concepts. Emphasis will be placed on situations and populations relevant to wilderness based and experiential education programs. *Only offered as part of the Immersion Semester.
WLEE 201 Lifeguarding
2 Semester Hours
This course equips students with the lifeguarding skills and knowledge to prepare them as a professional rescuer in aquatic facilities. With successful completion of the course objectives, students earn American Red Cross certification in Lifeguard Training, First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. A prerequisite skills swim test is administered on the first day of class.
WLEE 202 Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
2 Semester Hours
This course equips students to plan, conduct, teach, and evaluate swimming and water safety courses. With successful completion of the course objectives, students earn American Red Cross certification in Water Safety Instruction. The program covers skills and knowledge in a logical progression for aquatic skill development. Prerequisites: Minimum age of 17 years. A prerequisite skills swim test is administered on the first day of class.
WLEE 220 Theory and Practice of Experiential Education
3 Semester Hours
This course begins with an examination of historical, philosophical, social and psychological foundations of experiential education and proceeds to examine current trends and theoretical developments. Particular attention will be focused on understanding how current theory may be applied to the practice of Wilderness Leadership and Outdoor/Adventure Education.
WLEE 250* Wilderness First Aid
3 Semester Hours
This course is offered as a component of the Immersion Semester in which five interrelated courses are taught in an on-going fashion. This course focuses on medical emergencies when help is miles away and dialing 911 is not an option. Lecture and hands-on simulation sessions help students prepare to handle emergency situations that involve prolonged patient care, severe environments, and improvised gear. Students will have an opportunity to receive Wilderness First Responder certification through a nationally recognized medical education provider with complete attendance and ability to meet WFR knowledge, skill, and certification criteria. Taking the course does not guarantee certification. * Only offered as part of the Immersion Semester.
WLEE 251 Canoe Instructor
2 Semester Hours
This course is designed for those involved in teaching river skills, including among other things paddling technique and the necessary skills for safe craft handling on rivers. These programs are designed for moving water and whitewater environments. This instructor program track is based on the American Canoe Association River Canoe Instructor Curriculum and offers instructor ACA certification at differing levels based on an individual candidate’s personal skills and teaching ability, however, participation in the course does not guarantee certification. There are two weekend trips required. Prerequisites: Immersion Semester and instructor approval of paddling skills.
WLEE 252 Advanced Rock Climbing
2 Semester Hours
This 2-credit advanced WLEE skills course will introduce and provide many opportunities to practice the advanced techniques and systems required to participate and lead safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sound climbing trips. It will include examination of and participation in top rope climbing, multi-pitch climbing, rappelling, fixed line climbing, and basic rock rescue. A weekend trip is required. Prerequisites: Completion of Immersion Semester and WLEE Major.
WLEE 255 Kayak Instructor
2 Semester Hours
This course is designed for those involved in teaching river skills, including among other things paddling technique and the necessary skills for safe craft handling on rivers. These programs are designed for moving water and whitewater environments. This instructor program track is based on the American Canoe Association River Kayak Instructor Curriculum and offers instructor ACA certification at differing levels based on an individual candidate’s personal skills and teaching ability, however, participation in the course does not guarantee certification. There are two weekend trips required. Prerequisites: Immersion Semester and instructor approval of paddling skills.
WLEE 256 Advanced Navigation
2 Semester Hours
This 2-credit advanced WLEE skills course is designed to familiarize students with advanced wilderness navigation skills including the use of various map grids, the various map types used in North America, the Global Positioning System, deduced reckoning, triangulation, coastal navigation, off trail navigation and the use of computer software in trip planning. Two Saturday field days will be required. Prerequisites: Completion of Immersion Semester and WLEE Major. Prerequisite: Completion of Immersion Semester or permission of instructor.
WLEE 260 Challenge I: Group Games and Initiatives
2 Semester Hours
This 2-credit advanced WLEE skills course is designed to introduce the students to the basics of facilitating group games, initiatives and low ropes elements. History, theory, principles and skills of group and game initiative leadership will be explored in an experiential context. Emphasis will be on sequencing and leading activities safely and methods of group processing. Prerequisite: WLEE 101 or with permission of instructor.
WLEE 261 Challenge II: Ropes Course Facilitation
2 Semester Hours
This 2-credit advanced WLEE skills course is designed to introduce the student to basics of high challenge course facilitation skills. Emphasis will be on safety, program design, rescue skills, and processing. Students will become familiar with national standards regarding challenge course facilitation and administration. Administrative skills will also be covered. Prerequisites: Completion of Immersion Semester and WLEE 260: Challenge I.
WLEE 265 Advanced Swiftwater Rescue
2 Semester Hours
This 2-credit advanced WLEE skills course focuses on the prevention of river accidents, including knowledge of river dynamics, swiftwater hazards, swimming, boat handling and trip management. The course emphasizes the safety of rescuers, while instilling the skills, knowledge, and rescue philosophy needed for access and rescue of river victims. Certification in American Canoe Association Advanced Swiftwater Rescue may be offered; however, participation in the course does not guarantee certification. There is a weekend trip required. Prerequisite: Completion of Immersion Semester or permission of instructor.
WLEE 301 Wilderness/Experiential Education Practicum
1-6 Semester Hours
This course provides students with practical work experience, either through a program offered by the College or in an existing outdoor or experientially based agency. The student’s work program must be approved by the faculty. Prerequisite: junior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 305 Legal Aspects of Wilderness Leadership, Experiential
Education and Exercise Leadership 3 Semester Hours
This course familiarizes students with civil law as it applies to experiential and exercise programming. Topics covered include torts, legal duties, legal liability, the structure of the lawsuit, the notion of the prudent practitioner, the “reasonable man or woman standard,” readings in relevant case law, and risk management from a legal perspective. Prerequisite: junior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 310* Outdoor Pursuits Education: Water-Based
3 Semester Hours
This course is offered as a component of the Immersion Semester in which five interrelated courses are taught in an on-going system. The focus will be on developing teaching styles, techniques and methods for water-based outdoor pursuits. This course offers hands-on experience in skill development and leadership training of sea kayaking, flatwater and whitewater canoeing, and flatwater and whitewater kayaking. * Only offered as part of the Immersion Semester.
WLEE 320* Outdoor Pursuits Education: Land-Based
3 Semester Hours
This course is offered as a component of the Immersion Semester in which five interrelated courses are taught in an on-going system. The focus will be on developing teaching styles, techniques and methods for land-based outdoor pursuits. This course offers hands-on experience in skill development and leadership of backpacking, rock climbing, caving, navigation and backcountry living skills. Other and based activities may be included. * Only offered as part of the Immersion Semester.
WLEE 330 Camp Counseling
3 Semester Hours
An introduction to the field of camp counseling, including philosophies, national standards, leadership training, conflict resolution, communication skills, normal and abnormal developmental processes, behavior management, and program activities. This course also includes a study of the characteristics and needs of today’s youth, with emphasis on how a camp counselor’s guidance and leadership can meet those needs. Prerequisite: junior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 340 Outdoor Program Administration
3 Semester Hours
This course examines administrative and program issues uniquely related to outdoor recreation and education programs in a variety of program settings including camps, schools, colleges and universities, community/county recreation programs, and military recreation programs. Prerequisite: junior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 350* Wilderness Expedition
3 Semester Hours
This course is offered as a component of the Immersion Semester in which five interrelated courses are taught in an on-going system. This course involves participation in the planning, leadership, instruction, execution and evaluation of a 21-day expedition in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. * Only offered as part of the Immersion Semester.
WLEE 391 Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education:
Internship Preparation 1 Semester Hour
This course is designed to prepare the student to search, apply, interview and prepare for a professional internship in the wilderness leadership and experiential education field. Subjects covered include: defining and setting learning objectives and goals for the internship experience, developing a professional resume, writing cover letters, applying for internships, interviewing skills, professionalism on the job, and other professional job seeking skills. Students will develop and finalize reporting procedures and schedules with their academic advisors for the internship experience.
WLEE 392 Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education:
Internship 6 Semester Hours
This course is comprised of the actual internship experience with an approved agency in outdoor and experiential education and approved broad-based job description for a minimum of 480 hours over a ten to twelve week period. It is supervised by the advisor of the student in the WLEE major and an on-site agency professional. Students are expected to complete regular and thoughtful internship journal entries, prepare and present an internship presentation, develop a portfolio for the experience, and write a reflection paper on the knowledge and future application of their learning. Prerequisite: WLEE 391 and approval of site by student’s faculty academic advisor.
WLEE 402 Ethics of Wilderness Leadership, Experiential Education,
and Exercise Leadership 3 Semester Hours
This course has a threefold focus: (1) students take a critical look at the complex ethical dilemmas and situations that arise within camps, wilderness and fitness programs, and other experiential settings; (2) students learn to use the tools of normative and analytic ethics from a philosophical perspective, consider various approaches to ethics in general, and apply these approaches to practical situations; (3) students examine their own personal ethical perspectives as these influence their work within professional contexts. Prerequisite: junior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 404 Wilderness Philosophers
3 Semester Hours
This course familiarizes students with the important ideas and people within the deep intellectual history of the wilderness movement. The philosophy of Muir, Leopold, Carson, Thoreau and others will be studied to help students develop a greater understanding and appreciation as well as develop a personal philosophy for the wilderness. Prerequisite: senior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 405 Seminar: Open Topics
3 Semester Hours
It is important that students majoring in wilderness leadership and experiential education have the opportunity to explore topics that may not be covered within existing courses. The open topics seminar can be either faculty- or student-generated and will have as its reason-for-being the establishment of an open-ended format that can meet emerging student and faculty interests. Prerequisite: senior level standing or permission of instructor.
WLEE 420 Special Topics
3 Semester Hours
Advanced study of varying focuses in Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education. Prerequisite: senior level standing or permission of instructor. |