COSAM ODEL Courses

ODEL 1300. Introduction to Outdoor Leadership
This course explores the theory and principles of outdoor education. It is also a survey of the many aspects of Outdoor Education including historical and philosophical foundations, adventure education, and environmental education. Students will explore the organization and function of outdoor education theories. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 1310. Wilderness Journey Practicum
This course is designed to be an introductory field experience for students interested in an outdoor-related career. Students will study the significance and purpose of field experiences. The class will culminate in a three-week "Wilderness Journey" which may include backpacking, canoeing, rock climbing, orienteering, and/or a solo experience. Through these activities students are encouraged to work together, depend on one another, and gain an appreciation for God's environment. Participation in the "Wilderness Journey" after the formal semester has ended is required. Three semester credit hours. Lab fee required.

ODEL 1320. Group Processing and Facilitation
This course is a study of the broad, theoretical, and experiential background in group process. Client assessment, program design, facilitation strategies, and group dynamics are related to stages of experience and the experiential learning cycle. The student will develop these skills utilizing Christian world-view principles. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 2230. Wilderness Navigation
This course provides students with an understanding of topography, how to read topographical maps, and how to make simple topographical maps for use in traversing the wilderness areas of the world. Navigation skills using a map and compass and Global Positioning System will be taught,as well as planning the navigation of trips for groups. Two semester hours credit.

ODEL 2340. Outdoor Camping Skills
Prerequisite: ODEL 1300
This course will introduce the student to basic camp craft skills required to participate in and lead safe, enjoyable, and environmentally sound outdoor experiences. Students will cover fundamental skills such as food, water, and shelter preparation. Outdoor Camping Skills is a highly experiential course where the student will work on minimum impact camping and expedition behavior. Students must engage in the experiential cycle and new skill demonstration. Two off-campus weekend trips are mandatory. Three semester hours credit. Lab fee required.

ODEL 2350. Wilderness Survival
This class is a systematic survey of survival techniques under various conditions in the wilderness. It is designed to teach the outdoor leader proper survival skills in areas such a shelter, water, fire, plants, animals, and attitude. Field experiences are required in this course. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 2351. Camp Counseling
Prerequisite: None
This course is an introduction to all phases of organized camping, which includes philosophy of camp counseling, national standards, values clarification, and organization to camps, leadership training, communication skills, and discipline 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 meet those needs. Three semester credit hours.

ODEL 2355. Outdoor Ministries
This course seeks to prepare students for ministering using experiential methods in an outdoor setting. Students will learn how to incorporate these methods into Bible study lessons, as well as gain an appreciation for different styles of outdoor ministries. Three semester credit hours.

ODEL 2356. Winter Camping
This course teaches basic camping skills in a winter environment. Prior winter camping experience is not required. Specific skills include trip planning, menu planning, expedition behavior, outdoor cookery, selection of gear and clothing, winter camping and travel, campsite management, emergency response and advanced navigation. A field experience is required. Three semester hours credit. Lab fee required.

ODEL 3335. Legal Issues of Wilderness Leadership and Environmental Law
Prerequisite: ODEL 1300
This course is designed to acquaint students with natural resource management agencies which manage public lands and the laws created to protect natural resources. The student will also be familiarized with civil law as it relates to experiential programming to promote knowledge of liability and risk control management. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 3340. Challenge Course Programs and Management
Prerequisite: ODEL 1320
This course focuses on the facilitation and management of challenge courses, including high ropes, low ropes, and climbing walls. Emphasis is placed on skill development, safety procedures, and program planning. Students will begin developing leadership and teaching skills. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 3360. Teaching Methods and Curriculum Development
Prerequisite: ODEL 1320, 2340
This course focuses on various teaching methods used in leading and training experiential educators from a Christian perspective. Students will research a variety of teaching methods and principles as well as practice their own teaching techniques. Students will focus on the development of various curricula that can be used in outdoor experience-based programs. This course is a part of the Immersion semester. Three semester credit hours.

ODEL 3390. Organization and Administration of Outdoor Programs
Prerequisite: Completion of the Immersion Semester
Principles and theory of organization and administration used in an outdoor leadership profession. A study of administrative procedures such as personnel and faculty management, developing and maintaining a budget, public relations, conflict management, risk management, and complete applications of record keeping will be stressed. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 3410. Programming Outdoor Water Pursuits
Prerequisites: ODEL 1310, 2230, 2340
This skills course will introduce the student to correct flat-water and whitewater canoeing and kayaking techniques as well as teach the student to lead group processing of water-based activities. Emphasis is placed on skill development, safety procedures, and program planning. Students will begin developing leadership and teaching skills. This course is a part of the Immersion Semester. Four semester credit hours. Lab fee required.

ODEL 3420. Programming Outdoor Land Pursuits
Prerequisites: ODEL 1310, 2230, 2340
This skills course will introduce the student to correct techniques in land-based activities such as backpacking, rock climbing, rappelling, and caving as well as teach the student to lead group processing of land-based activities. Emphasis is placed on skill development, safety procedures and teaching skills. This course is a part of the Immersion Semester. Four semester credit hours. Lab fee required.

ODEL 3470. Wilderness First Responder
Prerequisites: ODEL 1310, 2230, 2340
This course offers lecture and hands-on simulation sessions to help students prepare to handle emergency situations that involve prolonged patient care, severe environments, and improvised gear. Upon successful completion the student will receive Wilderness First Responders certification. Four semester hours credit. Lab fee required.

ODEL 4120. Field Studies
This course is designed to give students the opportunity to study and explore areas within the field of outdoor leadership, yet outside the scope of the set curriculum. Permission of the instructor must be granted prior to registering for this course. Up to six elective (or Outdoor Programming Emphasis area) hours may be applied toward the degree. One to six semester hours credit. Lab fee required.

ODEL 4320. Advanced Canoeing
Prerequisite: ODEL 3410
This advanced 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 canoeing trips. The student will develop stronger individual canoeing skills and learn to teach the fundamental techniques of canoeing. A weekend trip is required. Three semester hours.

ODEL 4350. Advanced Rock Climbing
Prerequisite: ODEL 3420
This advanced 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. Examination of and participation in skills such a top rope climbing, multi-pitch climbing, rappelling, fixed line climbing, and basic rock rescue is a part of the curriculum. A weekend trip is required. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 4380. Philosophy of Experiential Education
Prerequisite: Completion of the Immersion Semester
This course is a survey of traditional educational philosophies and how these philosophies have influenced the field of experiential learning. Students will learn how to conduct a critical analysis of outdoor programs and how to develop their own philosophy of experiential education. Three semester hours credit.

ODEL 4300. Outdoor Leadership Internship
Prerequisites: Completion of the Immersion Semester
Long-term field experience in Outdoor Adventure Programming with an organization whose primary purpose is Outdoor Adventure Programming. The student will be expected to analyze and discuss their experience in light of his/her own Christian Worldview. This course is designed to serve as a culmination of the student's educational experience. The intent is to provide each student with a full-time internship placement in the area of his/her interest. This course can be taken only in the last semester of the student's senior year. Nine semester hours credit.

ODEL 4390. Senior Seminar
Prerequisite: Completion of the Immersion Semester
This course is designed to prepare the student to make the transition from student to professional in the field of outdoor leadership. This course will include job search and interview skills, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of God's calling to this profession. Students will complete a resume, portfolio, and comprehensive assessment and exit interview. Three semester hours credit