Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

OSS: Climbing Wall Instructor (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 2000-01

Course: ORPT 2000-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: PEHP
CRN: 31412

Course Description

A special topics course designed to develop outdoor recreation and leadership skills. Topics will vary depending upon demand. May be repeated for credit up to six (6) credits. (As Needed) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6 Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

None - supplemental materials will be provided through Canvas and the Climbing Wall Association online modules.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the class, students will:

  • Be able to successfully teach climbing instructional lessons at the SUU climbing wall, demonstrating appropriate teaching skills.
  • Be able to show learning through critiquing climbing lessons from their peers, offering feedback for improvement
  • Be able to successfully finish all online learning modules through the Climbing Wall Association website

Course Requirements

Assessment/Evaluation/Grading:
Your success in this class will be assessed by participation, attending any required class lectures, and the assignments below:
  • Online modules - complete/incomplete 30pts
  • Class meetings - 30pts
  • Final in-person skills check - 40pts
Note: 1 credit hours = about 45 hours of total work according to SUU. So, in addition to the in-person and final learning sessions (about 15 hours), plan on spending 30 or so hours doing the online modules or coming to class to increase your skills.

Student Expectations:
This class has some pre-requisites as set by the Climbing Wall Association (CWA). It is not a climbing course, but a course that will teach experienced climbers how to instruct climbing to others. Successful completion will result in a certification as a Climbing Wall Instructor through the CWA. All students should be capable of belaying on top rope using both a tube style and assisted breaking device, be able to effectively and efficiently tie a figure-8 knot, and be able to climb up to 5.8 on top rope prior to enrolling in the course. Completion of Climbing I and Climbing II or a lead climbing certification through SUU Outdoors is recommended, though not required. 

Activities: This class includes a mandatory meeting for a comprehensive skills assessment which may or may not occur during class time. It is your responsibility to get time off work or other commitments in order to attend this portion of the course.

Assumption of risk: By participating in this class, you are accepting certain inherent risks involved in outdoor recreation. A signed waiver and assumption of risk form will be a requirement of this class as well as a health history form. This class will expose students to many risks, including - but not limited to - falling, pinches, being dropped, uneven surfaces, abrasions, burns, being hit by falling objects, and other hazards associated with the indoor climbing environment.

 Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI: AI is “artificial”, and your learning should not be. AI can not pass a class for you. Please refrain from using AI unless the specific assignment has additional instructions related to AI use.

Course Outline

Week 1 - Introductions, expectations, and prerequisite belay checks
Week 2 - Professionalism, Orientations, Legal Issues, and Managing risks 
Week 3 - Auto-Belays and Climbing Movement
Week 4 - Top rope belay - Tube style and Assisted braking
Week 5 - Lead belaying
Week 6 - Student skills demos
Week 7 - Student skills demos
Note: In person skills checks will include a 4-6 hour time block scheduled outside of normal class time. This is a required meeting.

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Any late work will not be eligible for full credit without prior written approval.

In general, without prior approval, the following will apply: Each assignment will be given a due date and time. If you turn an assignment in after that it will be graded as though turned in on time, then whatever grade earned will be reduced by 50%. After 72 hours the assignment will be given an automatic zero (0)

Attendance Policy

This class relies heavily on in person laboratory work. As such, attendance is required. 1 free absence will be allowed  (exception: the final skills check meeting that occurs outside of class time but is required can not be your 1 free absence). Expect a significant reduction in your grade for any additional absences. 

Course Fees

$50 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.