For a current schedule of Outdoor Education Classes & Workshops that are being offered, see ISU's Class Schedule.
We also offer workshops throughout the year that are not for credit. For more information, please visit the website Calander or pick up a brochure from the OAC.
Catalog Descriptions of Outdoor Education Courses
Physical Education Courses (PE) • Physical Education Activity Courses (PEAC)
Physical Education Courses (PE)
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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. FPE 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 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 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 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.
Physical Education Activity Courses (PEAC)
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 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.
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 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 |
