Outdoor Education Major

Physical Education Degree (Outdoor Education Emphasis).  Click on any of the following for more information:

• Summary of Physical Education Major (Outdoor Education Emphasis)
• Questions & Answers (and More Details) on the Major
• Outdoor Education Class Schedule: List of Classes, Dates, Times, etc.
• Catalog Descriptions of Outdoor Education Courses
• Links to Outdoor Education Course Syllabi

Summary of the Requirements for an Outdoor Education Major

PE 220 Foundations of Physical Education and Sport (3 credits)
PE 221 History, Philosophy and Ethics of Physical Education (3 credits)
PE 243 Anatomical Foundations (3 credits)

PE 386  Outdoor Leadership (2 credits)
PE 440  Survey of Outdoor Education Literature (2 credits)
PE 445  Methods of Teaching Outdoor Activities and Practicum (4 credits)

Any the following may be selected but Outdoor Risk Management, Environmental Impact and First Aid Certification (Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, or Emergency Medical Technician) are required.

PE 381  River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue (1 credit)
PE 383  Advanced Rock Climbing and Climbing Safety (2 credits)
PE 384  Outdoor Risk Management and Liability (2 credits)
PE 286  Avalanche & Winter Sports Safety (1 credit)
PE 282  Map, Compass and Backcountry Navigation (1 credit)
PE 283  Leave No Trace Trainer Course  (1 credit)
PE g491 Wilderness First Responder (3 credits)
PEAC 188 Winter Survival Skills (1 credit)
PEAC 192 Wilderness Survival Skills (1 credit)

Students who at the time of graduation possess a current certificate in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Wilderness First Responder may apply three (3) credits to this component. 

BIOS 101-101L Biology I (4 credits)
BIOS 102-102L  Biology II (4 credits)
BIOS 209 General Ecology (4 credits)
BIOS 213 Fall Flora (2 credits)
BIOS 214 Spring Flora (2 credits)
BIOS 337 Conservation of Natural Resources (3 credits)
BIOS g426 Herpetology (3 credits)
BIOS g427 Ichthyology (3 credits)
BIOS g438 Ornithology (3 credits)
BIOS g441 Mammalogy (3 credits)
GEOL 100/100L Survey of Geology and Lab (4 credits)
GEOL 109 Physical Geology for Scientists (3 credits)
GEOL 110 Physical Geology for Scientists Laboratory (1 credit)
GEOL 201 Rocks, Rails, and Trails (1 credit)
GEOL 210 Rocks, Minerals, Fossils and Maps (2 credits)
GEOL g456 Geology of Southern Idaho (2 credits)
GEOL g491 Seminar (1 credit)
PHYS 152 Descriptive Astronomy (3 credits)
PHYS 153 Descriptive Astronomy (1 credit)
PHYS 325 Introduction to Weather and Climate (3 credits)

Minimum of eight (8) credits required.  Courses selected must be different than those used to fulfill the requirements of the Outdoor Education Safety Component.  (Note: only 8 PEAC credits can be counted toward graduation requirment)

PEAC 101  Adaptive Snow Skiing
PEAC 108  Instructor Training of Adaptive Snowskiing
PEAC 165  Backcountry GPS Navigation
PEAC 166  Canoieng
PEAC 175A  Beginning Kayaking
PEAC 176A  Beginning Rock Climbing
PEAC 177A  Beginning Cross-Country Skiing
PEAC 178A  Beginning Telemark Cross-Country Skiing
PEAC 178B  Intermediate Telemark Cross-Country Skiing
PEAC 181  Bicycling
PEAC 182C  Advanced Dutch Oven Cooking
PEAC 185  Basic Mountaineering
PEAC 186B Intermediate Fly Fishing
PEAC 188  Winter Survival Skills
PEAC 189  Beginning Gym Climbing
PEAC 192  Wilderness Survival Skills
PE 281 Practical Outdoor Skills 
PE 280  Winter Camping and Backcountry Travel
PE 282  Map, Compass & Backcountry Navigation
PE 284  Intermediate Kayaking and Whitewater Safety
PE 286  Avalanche and Winter Sports Safety
PE 287 Snowboard Instructor Training
PE 288 Ski Instructor Training
PE 381  River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue
PE 383  Advanced Rock Climbing & Climbing Safety (2 credits)
PE g491 Physical Education Workshop (1-3 credits)*

*When workshop relates to outdoor education, i.e. Canoe Workshop (1 credit), Whitewater Rafting Workshop (1 credit), Backpacking Workshop (1 credit), Advanced Kayaking-Summer Field Experience (1 credit), Beginning Rock Climbing-Summer Field Experience (1 credit), Advanced Rock Climbing-Summer Field Experience (1 credit).

Courses may include those listed in the Natural History Component and/or the following:

ENGL 206  Creative Writing Workshop (3 credits)
ENGL 307  Technical Writing Workshop (3 credits)
ENGL 308  Business Communications (3 credits)
COMM  201  Business and Professional Speaking (3 credits)
COMM 208  Group Communication (3 credits)
MC  230  Introduction to Photography (4 credits)
MC  260  Photo and Graphic Workshop (3 credits)
MC  327 Magazine Article Writing (3 credits)
MC  341  Introduction to Public Relations (3 credits)
MC  470 Communication through Web Design (3 credits)
POLS  g455 Environmental Politics and Policy (3 credits)
POLS g312 Grantwriting (3 credits)
MGT  g312 Individual and Organizational Behavior (3 credits)
MGT g451 Organizational Behavior (3 credits)

Questions and Answers About a Physical Educaton Major ( Outdoor Education Emphasis)

What is the Outdoor Education Major?

The Physical Education Major (Outdoor Education Emphasis), offered through the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education (SSPE), is a course of study in four general areas including outdoor leadership and teaching, outdoor safety, natural history, and outdoor recreation activity skills.  A total of 46 credits are required for the major and consist of a variety of skill and theoretical classes, concluding with a 48-hour practicum.  Lower division courses included in the major are designed to help students learn basic skills and safety procedures in outdoor education activities, while upper division courses combine practical teaching and leadership opportunities with theoretical work in leadership theory, legal liability, ethics, and a study of the field’s literature.

Should I Supplement the Outdoor Major with Another Course of Study?

Yes.  If possible, we recommend that you combine your outdoor education studies with another major.  The most efficient way to do this is to select a major in which some of the course work overlaps with an outdoor education major.  The following are several key majors which have classes that can be applied to the outdoor education major:

• Majors in Geology, Biology, Zoology or Botany.   You may apply as much as 14 credits of geology or biology credits to the following two components of the Outdoor Education Major:  Natural History and Electives.  Before undertaking this course of study, however, it's important to talk to your Outdoor Education advisor and make sure that you have advanced approval.
  

• Various Majors in Physical Education.  Since Physical Education degrees have the same series of core classes, a second major in Physical Education is a natural choice for Outdoor Education students.

• Teaching Major in a Natural Science.   Science teachers may apply geology, biology and physics credits to the Natural History and Elective components of the Outdoor Education Major. 
  

• Teaching Major in Physical Education.  Another option is to obtain a teaching degree in Physical Education along with a Outdoor Education major.
  

• Major in Business or Communications.  Up to 6 credits from Business and/or Communications may be applied toward electives in the Outdoor Education major.

Who Can Advise Me?

Advisors in the Outdoor Education major include the following:

•  Peter Joyce (joycpete@isu.edu) 282-3912
•  Dana Olson (olsodana@isu.edu) 282-3912
•  Justin Dayley (dayljust@isu.edu) 282-3912
•  Ron Watters (wattron@isu.edu) 282-3912  or 232-6857

When are Classes Taught & Where Can I Find Scheduling Information?

Almost all outdoor education classes involve class time on Saturday and Sunday.  The reason for this is that time is needed to travel to various backcountry sites where classes take place.  Often classes leave Friday evening or Saturday morning, spend the night out and return Sunday evening.  Students who have other activites taking place on weekends (sports, organizations, work, family and church responsibilities) need to realistically assess whether they can fit such weekend classes into their schedule.

Because of the seasonal nature of outdoor activity classes--and the need to hold classes on weekends--classes often do not follow a regular schedule like many other university classes.  Instead many classes are held on workshop or adapted workshop basis.  This allows the instructor to take advantage of the season:  early winter for winter-related activities and early fall or late spring for summer related activities. 

Because classes involve a combination of evening and weekends, scheduling is much more complicated than regular college classes, and there’s simply not enough space on the University Class Schedule to include all the important information.  The Class Schedule only provides an abbreviated list of times and dates. Your best source of information is to review the schedule of outdoor classes found at the Internet at www.isu.edu/outdoor/classes.html.  All times, dates and places are presented in much more detail than the class schedule.  If after checking with the Internet listing, you still have questions, feel free to call the Outdoor Program office (282-3912) or contact the instructor of the class directly.

What is the Attendance Requirement?

Students have run into trouble when they didn’t take time to double check the dates that the class was held.  In the past, instructors have made an attempt to send out reminder letters, but the letters were ineffectual since many students change apartments and residences frequently while going to school and addresses on file with the university are often out-of-date.

Thus, it is your responsibility to make sure you know when to meet.  Remember don’t rely on the the University Class Schedule.  Check the Internet listing and write down the dates in the your schedule book. 

It’s important not to miss a Saturday or Sunday.  Outdoor Education classes follow the same policy as all SSPED classes.  No student can pass a class that they attend less than 75% of the time--and thus missing one weekend day (Saturday or Sunday) will easily drop the total time spent in class to less 75%.  It is on the weekend when much of the instruction and participation takes place.  Missing a weekend day is the same as missing weeks of a class that meets on an hourly basis each week--and it is impossible for an instructor to provide make up work for clases that involve active participation.  Please keep this in mind, and make sure your schedule is arranged so you can attend all aspects of the class.

Why Do Outdoor Education Classes Have Fees?

Almost all outdoor education classes have extra fees.  The fees are used for class equipment, transportation and supplies.  Moreover, safety is an overriding concern in outdoor classes, and the fees are also used for extra instructors to make sure enough knowledgable people are present to help keep the class safe.    Without the fee, it simply wouldn’t be possible to run many of the outdoor education classes. 

All outdoor education instructors are aware of the financial burdens of attending college, and when possible for lower division classes, they try to help keep costs low by not requiring the purchase of class texts.  Instead, class reference materials are placed on reserve at the Outdoor Program library. This usually works to your advantage since texts are often much more expensive than class fees.  However, if you plan to do further outdoor education work--volunteer or paid--it’s important while in college to start building a small personal library of reference materials.  In your outdoor education classes, you’ll become familar with a wide variety of reference works, and from the available literature, you can choose the materials which best meet your needs and interests.

What ISU Departments Are Involved With the Major?

The Outdoor Education major is offered through the Department of Sports Science, Physical Education (SSPE), a part of the College of Education.  With the major’s emphasis on teaching and leadership, the College of Education is a perfect fit for the program.  To maximize efficiency, keep costs low, and utilize existing University resources, the Department works closely with the ISU Outdoor Program which is under the Division of Student Affairs. The Outdoor Program provides many of the instructors for the classes and maintains the Intermountain Outdoor Resource Center, the largest collection of outdoor reference materials in the regional area.  The Outdoor Education major is an example of the wonderful cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship that can exist between different departments at the university.  It is a win-win situation for all involved.  The state benefits by having a highly efficient and low-cost program.  The individual programs benefit.  And most of all, students benefit by having a course of study that they desire and support.

How Do I Sign Up For the Major? 

Stop in and see one of the outdoor education advisers to help you plan out your course load.  When you are ready to announce your intent to be an Outdoor Education major, you’ll need to fill out a “Declaration” form available from any of the outdoor education advisers.  This is important since it sets the process in motion which assures that the major will appear on your school and graduation records,  

To All Students Considering an Outdoor Education Major:
Important Information

Please Read

1. In order to provide sufficient time to learn and participate in outdoor activities, many of the courses required for the Outdoor Education Major take place on Saturdays and Sundays.  During the regular school year, this is the only time available to take field trips to backcountry areas where these activities take place.  Students who have church and family obligations on Saturdays or Sundays would want to select other courses of study with a more traditional schedule.  Unfortunately, under the current University schedule system, there just isn't any other way of getting adequate blocks of time for outdoor education courses

2. Outdoor education courses are held outdoors.  They are often physically demanding, involve travel to remote places, and require overnight camping in primitive areaa away from civilation.  Trips can take place in extreme conditions of weather including hot, cold, rain and snow.  While every effort is made to keep classes safe, risks are involved in any outdoor activity.  Outdoor education classes are far different than normal university classes.  Students who are considering the major, should realistically assess whether outdoor education is truly a course of study they wish to undertake.

3. Because many outdoor education courses take place on weekends, students who have work responsibilities on Saturday and Sunday, or who participate in intercollegiate sports, or who are participating in other college or community programs which take place on weekend should carefully consider whether an Outdoor Education Major is feasible the them.

Catalog Descriptions of Outdoor Education Courses

• PE 445  Methods of Teaching Outdoor Activities and Practicum  3  credits.  This culminating course for outdoor education majors consists of two parts: a study of the objectives, programs and methods of teaching outdoor recreation activities followed by a practicum experience in which students assist in teaching and leading outdoor activities.  PREREQ:  PE 386, PE 440, AND PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.  S
 
• PE 440  Survey of Outdoor Education Literature  2 credits. 
  An  examination of recent research, literature and contemporary writing in  outdoor education.  Course work consists of a series of reading  assignments followed by oral reports and class discussions. F
 
• PE 386 Outdoor Leadership 2 credits. 
  Designed to provide students with the knowledge to organize and lead outdoor activities. Includes leadership styles, liability, program promotion, planning, safety, and environmental impact. Practical experiences are included. S
  

• PE 384  Outdoor Risk Management and Liability 1 Credit
  Legal implications of outdoor recreation programming including a study of tort liability, risk evaluation, relevant case law, legal management strategies, and the use of waivers and releases. F
  

• PE 383  Advanced Rock Climbing and Climbing Safety  2 credits. 
  A  comprehensive examination of climbing safety--anchor placement,  self-rescue, belaying, route protection, case history review,  equipment limitations--along with field experience including lead and  aid climbing, advanced knots, movement techniques, and minimal impact  procedures.  PREREQ: PEAC 176A OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.  S

• PE 381  River Safety & Swiftwater Rescue 1 credit. 
  A comprehensive  safety and rescue course for river users and rescue service personnel.   Topics include safety equipment, river hazards, river crossings, tag  line procedures, zip line and Z-pulley use, moving water extrications,  and first aid considerations.  Su

• PE 286  Avalanche and Winter Sports Safety  1 credit. 
  A study of  snow, winter hazards, avalanche safety and rescue.  Topics include  basic snow physics, crystal identification, metamorphic processes,  factors influencing avalanches, use of transceivers, snow pack  evaluation, and avalanche rescue techniques. S

• PE 285 Wilderness First Aid  1 credit
  Provides an introduction to First Aid and patient care in remote settings. Includes wound and infection management, realigning fractures and dislocations, improvised splinting techniques, patient monitoring and long-term management problems, and up-to-date information on environmental emergencies. F, S
  

• PE 284 Intermediate Kayaking and Whitewater Safety  1 credit.  
  Combines practical field experience in moving water with a study of  river safety and accident prevention.  Topics include hazard  evaluation, self and team rescue, case history review, and whitewater  safety procedures.  PREREQ: PEAC 175A OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. F,S

• PE 283  Leave No Trace Trainer 1 credit.
  Principles and practices of minimum impact outdoor techniques including traveling approaches, waste disposal, campsite placement, outdoor ethics, state/federal land management requirements, and sport-specific procedures. 
  

• PE 282  Map, Compass and Backcountry Navigation  1 credit. 
  Practical  application of map and compass and wilderness navigation concepts  including map and field bearings, declination, resection, contour line  interpretation, GPS receiver use, map types, scales, and coordinate  systems.  F

• PE 281 Practical Outdoor Skills 1 credit.
  Basic skills for activity in the outdoors.  Topics include practical outdoor knots, water treatment, map and compass, sheltering strategies, outdoor emergencies and first aid, equipment and clothing, minimal impact  techniques, and fire building. F S

• PE 280  Winter Camping & Backcountry Travel  1 credit. 
  Techniques,  equipment and safety of overnight winter wilderness travel,  backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.  PREREQ:  PERMISSION OF  INSTRUCTOR. S

• PEAC 189  Beginning Gym Climbing  1 credit. 
  Taught entirely indoors  on the Idaho State University Climbing Wall, this course covers  climbing knots, belaying procedures, basic equipment, movement  techniques, and safety.  S

• PEAC 101 Adaptive Snow Skiing 1 credit.
  Adaptive and corrective exercise  program in snowskiing designed for individuals unable to participate in a regular activity class. Su 
 
• PEAC 108 Instructor Training of Adapted Snowskiing 1 credit.
  Methods and techniques of teaching snowskiing to people with disabilities. S 
 
• PEAC 118 Wilderness Survival Skills 1 credit.
  Designed to provide students with  knowledge and skills necessary to survive a 72 hour emergency (summer and fall seasons). Includes signaling, shelter building, hypothermia, survival kits, fire building, direction finding and desert hazards. F

• PEAC 175A Beginning Kayaking 1 credit.
  Uses controlled environment of ISU pool and includes basic skills including draw and sculling strokes, high and low bracing, eddy turns, deep water rescue techniques, river safety, and Eskimo roll. F, S
 
• PEAC 176A Beginning Rock Climbing 1 credit.
  Designed for students with little or no climbing experience, this outdoor class covers basic climbing including knot tying, belaying, movement techniques, top rope anchor systems, and safety procedures. F, S


• PEAC 176B Intermediate Rock Climbing 1 credit.
  Designed for the intermediate level student, this course explores more advanced techniques, etiquette, and minimal impact techniques. F, S
 
• PEAC 177A Beginning CrossCountry Skiing 1 credit.
  Designed for beginning skiers, this course introduces students to flat surface techniques and progresses to uphill and downhill techniques. Indoor lectures are combined with tours to local crosscountry ski areas. S
 
• PEAC 177B Intermediate CrossCountry Skiing 1 credit.
  Designed for intermediate skill xcountry skiers, this course builds on the fundamental techniques of the beginning course. Includes safety in the backcountry, more advanced uphill and downhill techniques, and overnight trip planning. S

• PEAC 178A Beginning Telemark Cross Country Skiing 1 credit.
  Fundamental skills of executing downhill turns on crosscountry skis. Telemark is primary emphasis, but wedge, stem christie, and parallel turns are also covered in relation to free heel skis. S
 
• PEAC 178B Intermediate Telemark Cross Country Skiing 1 credit.
  Course builds upon the basic skills first introduced in the beginning course. Introduces additional techniques. S
 
• PEAC 181 Bicycling 1 credit.
  Includes both mountain and road biking. Combines a series of indoor lectures with practical outdoor riding experience. Topics include riding techniques, clothing, equipment, safety and bike maintenance. F
 
• PEAC 182C Advanced Dutch Oven Cooking 1 credit.
  Expands upon the basics taught in the beginning course. Includes large group meal planning, dutch oven catering, garnishing and presentation of meals, gourmet meal preparation, and competitive cooking. F
 
• PEAC 185 Basic Mountaineering 1 credit.
  Designed for students wishing to climb mountains on a nontechnical basis. Includes ice axe use, rope team travel, clothing, equipment, hazards, hypothermia, and acute mountain sickness. S

• PEAC 187B Intermediate Fly Tying 1 credit.
  Intermediate level course for the experienced fly-tyer.  Advanced patterns included with additional emphasis on innovative materials and techniques.  Basic entomology will also be addressed.  PREREQ: PEAC 187A or permission of instructor. D


• PEAC 188 Winter Survival Skills 1 credit.
  Designed to equip students with knowledge necessary for a 72 hour winter survival situation. Content includes winter shelter building, recognizing and treating frostbite, signaling, fire building, survival psychology, nutrition needs, clothing and equipment. S

• PEAC 165  Backcountry GPS Navigation 1 Credit
  The practical use of portable GPS devices for outdoor applications.  Topics covered include angular and rectangular coordinates, cross-country land navigation, use of waypoint coordinates, determining direction and distance, and limitations of GPS.

• PEAC 166  Canoeing 1 Credit
  A basic level course, teaching both American Red Cross and Native American canoeing styles, and covering paddling techniques, canoe design, equipment, clothing, camping, safety and rescue.
  

• PEAC 167  Kayak Touring 1 Credit
  Basic skills for lake, ocean and flat-water kayaking including equipment, technique, navigation, safety and rescue.
  

• PE 491/PE 591 Beginning Rock Climbing Workshop 1 credit. (Summer Session Only) This five day intensive workshop is held in the summer at a nearby climbing area.  Course content includes rope handling, knot tying, belaying, anchor systems, climbing ethics and safety. Su

• PE 491/PE 591 Advanced Rock Climbing Workshop 1 credit. (Summer Only) The Advance Rock Climbing Workshop  is a week long workshop devoted to advancing and refining climbing techniques. Topics include: using and placing rock protection, setting advanced belay anchors, refining lead and aid climbing techniques, and minimizing environmental impact.  Su

• PE 491/PE 591 Beginning Kayaking Workshop 1 credit  (Summer Session Only)  This workshop begins with introductory pool sessions and then quickly moves outdoor where students can learn and practice kayaking skills on rivers. Skills and topics covered include paddling and rolling techniques, water hydraulics,  reading whitewater, route selection, and safety. Su


• PE 491/PE 591 Backcountry Map and Compass Workshop -  (Summer Session Only)  (Note a similar Map and Compass Workshop Class is offered in the fall under the course number PE 282).  This course is the summer version of the Map and Compass Workshop. Topics are the same, but are oriented towards land navigation skills in remote areas. Su
 
• PE 491/PE 591 Canoe Workshop (Summer Session Only)  The Canoe Workshop is held during the summer and consists of evening lectures, a day long practice session at a  local lake, and an overnight canoe trip. Designed as a starter course in canoeing, this class encompasses both the American Red Cross and Native American canoeing styles, and covers paddling techniques, canoe design, equipment, clothing, route navigation, safety and rescue.