Course Syllabus
Course: OLE 2450
Division: Business and Applied Tech
Department: Business
Title: Climbing Technical Leadership
Semester Approved: Summer 2019
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2024
End Semester: Spring 2025
Catalog Description: This course provides a combination of theoretical background and technical aspects of leading and managing groups in a vertical environment and emphasizes hands-on skill development such as rope systems, anchors, rappelling and belaying, protection placement, lead climbing, site management, risk management, related emergency procedures, and Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. (An additional fee and field trips required.)
General Education Requirements: Integrated Exploration (IE)
Semesters Offered: TBA
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 1.5; Lab: 3
Justification: This course provides students the opportunity to develop and increase their climbing skills and leadership abilities beyond the participant level, while working as a team. It is required for the OLE degree and certificates of proficiency. It helps prepare students to seek professional certifications.
General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum will have a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world, with particular emphasis on American institutions, the social and behavioral sciences, the physical and life sciences, the humanities, the fine arts and personal wellness. Students will utilize a social science lens to study, understand, and apply theories, concepts, and phenomenon as it relates to outdoor leadership in a vertical (climbing) environment. Students will study historical and contemporary events and theories (including but not limited to decision-making, group development/teamwork, and communication). Additionally, case studies, individual and group projects, written assignments, discussion, and practical hands-on applications will be utilized.
2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read, retrieve, evaluate, interpret, and deliver information using a variety of traditional and electronic media. Students are required to read, retrieve, and interpret a variety of data from charts, graphs, maps, online resources, and current print sources to complete assignments and activities. Retrieving, evaluating, and interpreting accurate data is essential for group effectiveness, efficiency, and safety. Students will be assessed through participation, and projects.
6: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively about nature, culture, facts, values, ethics, and civic policy. Students will apply hands-on critical thinking, problem solving, and analytical reasoning while climbing, anchor building, and rappelling. This will be assessed through discussion, practical application, and written assignments. They will also develop an appreciation and understanding of nature and culture, by researching and presenting one of the seven principles of Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics specific to vertical environments.
7: A student who completes the GE curriculum can either (a) solve a problem using information and methodologies from more than one discipline; or (b) identify the College’s general education outcomes and explain ways in which they have achieved those outcomes. A) Students will have opportunities to develop, utilize, and assess critical thinking and problem solving. They will apply knowledge from multiple disciplines (including math, science, and social science) to evaluate and address route selection, anchors, and group management.
General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: A) Students will apply teamwork, outdoor leadership and group management specific to a vertical environment. Teamwork is an inherent aspect of this course. Unlike other courses there are real-life consequences when effective work is lacking. Climbing/belaying requires an effective team that can trust each other in demanding situations. Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment. A) Students will apply teamwork, outdoor leadership and group management specific to a vertical environment. Teamwork is an inherent aspect of this course. Unlike other courses there are real-life consequences when effective work is lacking. Climbing/belaying requires an effective team that can trust each other in demanding situations. Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Demonstrate outdoor leadership and group management specific to a vertical environment. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Identify and correctly use climbing related hardware and equipment. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Correctly tie fundamental climbing knots and display efficient rope-handling techniques. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Consistently display effective belaying techniques using appropriate methods for varied circumstances. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Competently set up and use a variety of anchors for rappelling and climbing. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Demonstrate an understanding and utilization of lead climbing theory. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.
Demonstrate appropriate Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics specific to vertical environments. Students will be able to demonstrate this SLO as evaluated through discussion, written assessment, presentation, and practical assessment.
Content:
Outdoor Leadership in a vertical environment: teamwork, communication, group dynamics, group management, etc.
Equipment: ropes, webbing, slings, hardware, harnesses, helmets, etc.
Knots: Clove Hitch, Overhand Knot/Water Knot, Double Fisherman's Knot, Figure 8 Family Knots: Double Figure 8, Figure 8 with a follow through, Prussic, Munter, Mule
Rappelling and ascending
Bouldering, basics of climbing, movement on rock
Belaying: top and bottom belay.
Natural and artificial anchors
Sport climbing and lead climbing
Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics for vertical environments
Key Performance Indicators:
Written Assignments/Evaluations 30 to 60%
Practical Application/Presentation 40 to 70%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Wilderness Education Association. (2009). Rock climbing, (T. W. Kidd & J. Hazelrigs, (Eds.) Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. (or similar)
Center For Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics. Rock Climbing Skills and Ethics Booklet.
Pedagogy Statement:
Content will be taught through interactive lecture, multi-media, practical, hands-on application, and reflection.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture/Lab
Maximum Class Size: 11
Optimum Class Size: 10
