Course Syllabus

OLE 2650 Ropes Course Technical Leadership

Course Description

This course provides a combination of theoretical background and technical aspects of leading and managing groups in a challenge environment and will emphasize hands-on skill development such as spotting/belaying, equipment management selection, and care, program design/sequencing, facilitation strategies, course design and maintenance, risk management, and related emergency procedures.

Justification

This course provides students the opportunity to develop and increase their skills and leadership abilities beyond the participant level in a challenge course setting. This course is required for the OLE degree and certificates of proficiency. It helps to prepare students to pursue 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 ropes course 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.
3. 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 participating, facilitating, and designing/building ropes courses. This will be assessed through discussion, practical application, and written assignments. They will also develop an appreciation and understanding of ethics and culture, by researching, presenting, and/or facilitating /processing techniques and strategies for a group.
4. 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 and social science) to develop/facilitate a ropes course experience, design/build a ropes course element, and group management.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. A) Students will apply teamwork, outdoor leadership and group management specific to a ropes course environment. Teamwork is an inherent aspect of this course. As a team, students will develop and facilitate a ropes course experience. They will also design and build a ropes course element. 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 ropes course environment. Teamwork is an inherent aspect of this course. As a team, students will develop and facilitate a ropes course experience. They will also design and build a ropes course element. Working effectively as a team will be assessed through discussion, written assessment, and practical assessment.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate outdoor leadership and group management specific to a ropes course environment.
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of challenge and adventure theory.
3. Demonstrate proper identification, use, and care of ropes course equipment.
4. Correctly tie fundamental knots and display efficient rope handling techniques.
5. Consistently demonstrate effective spotting and belaying techniques using appropriate methods for varied circumstances and elements.
6. Efficiently sequence activities and elements to facilitate groups with planning and conducting in-class and out-of-class ropes course experiences.
7. Demonstrate group processing and management in a challenge environment.
8. Apply design, build, and maintenance guidelines by building or refurbishing a challenge element.
9. Demonstrate rescue theory and application.

Course Content

History
Theories: teamwork, communication, group
dynamics etc.
Sequencing
Ice Breakers, Initiatives. Spotting, Teams Course/Low Elements Course Facilitation, Group Development, Processing
Knots
Belaying
High Elements
Safety and Equipment
Rescues: Static, Dynamic
Maintenance and General Inspection
Element Build