Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Interdisciplinary Outdoor Education (Face-to-Face)

ORPT 4030-01

Course: ORPT 4030-01
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PEHP
CRN: 11000

Course Description

A course designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to plan, implement, and evaluate interdisciplinary outdoor education programs that promote environmental literacy in wilderness, community, and education settings utilizing inquiry and experiential education teaching methods. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

  • Required text: Outdoor Education Teaching Strategies by Christian Bisson and Julie Gabert Bisson (2020)
    • NOTE: Please purchase this textbook early in the semester so you can get the book before the first reading is due. I know that ordering from Amazon is easy, but pay attention to the shipping window. Sometimes book sellers will ship books media mail, which takes weeks to deliver!
  • Supplementary materials will be provided via pdf or through Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will:

  • Identify, describe, and utilize educational theories and principles
  • Plan, deliver, and evaluate outdoor education lessons
  • Discuss and utilize inquiry and experiential education theory to create meaningful learning opportunities
  • Assess your strengths and weaknesses as an outdoor educator
  • Identify resources to further your outdoor education skills and knowledge beyond this class
  • Provide critical and constructive feedback for improvement
  • Demonstrate your learning through a professional portfolio

Course Requirements

Assessment/Evaluation/Grading:
This class is about setting goals and working hard to achieve them. The assignments will not be given a grade, but rather will rely on quality feedback from both me and your peers to show learning and growth. Early in the semester you will set your goals for the course. This means you'll set specific goals that you want to accomplish in order to meet the learning objectives for the course. This will include the grade you want to earn. Throughout the course, you will measure your accompishments against your goals, and be able to fully justify how you met your own goals in order to earn the final grade. 

The goal here from my perspective is not to focus too heavily on single assignments or overall performance, but allow for individualized goals and growth. For example, a student with no experience in public speaking or teaching might be very challenged by some assignments. Another student with experience as an educator and having no issues talking in front of the group might be bored by those same assignments. Allowing for different goals within similar assignments allows me to not unfairly punish nor reward students for where they are upon entering the class. 

Assignments will be marked as complete (A, B, and C level work), or incomplete (C-, D, and F level work). 

Assignments Include:

  • Reading Responses: Throughout the class, I will assess our progress through knowledge checks related to class readings/lectures.
  • Goal setting and related discussion assignments
  • Lesson Plans: For this class, you will teach 3 or 4 times. Each will require a lesson plan.
  • Feedback synthesis: You will write a reflection on the feedback you receive from me and your peers to determine areas for growth
  • Feedback quality: You will write a reflection on the quality of feedback you give to your peers.
  • Teaching Portfolio: You will complete a teaching portfolio that will catalog your knowledge, skills, and abilities as an outdoor educator.
  • Participation/Professionalism: You will show up (yes, it's early), be prepared for all lessons, and follow our syllabus guidelines for classroom etiquette.  
  • Final Reflection/Grade Submission: You will reflect on what you learned and meet with me to determine your final grade


Format: This class will be an in person, face to face class with an expectation that students will arrive ready to engage in the material for that day. Classes will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and experiential learning. Expect to be present, part of discussions, and having read all required material for the day based on the schedule.

Classroom climate and full value contract: I am here to teach, but I am also here to learn. I expect all students to be willing collaborators in the learning process. We have much to learn from one another, and can only do so if we can freely share ideas without fear of judgment from your cohort or your instructor. My expectation is you will respect yourself and others, work hard, show up to class and events on time and ready to learn, be committed to learning and teamwork, and try to have fun.

Acceptable and Unacceptable Use of AI: AI is inherently  “artificial”, and your learning should not be. Please refrain from using AI unless the specific assignment has additional instructions related to AI use. Use of automated systems is a tool, but not replacement for a skill set in critical thinking. Be intellectually curious and cultivate a desire to learn. Shortcuts rarely are. 

When assignments allow for the use of AI, all prompts must be shared, and the following will generally apply:
Allowed: Brainstorming ideas, checking grammar, summarizing long readings.
Never Allowed: Generating entire essays, solving problems without understanding, fabricating citations, utilizing AI as an attempt to deceive.

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. You may be asked to get physician’s approval before participating in some class activities. Trips for this class may involve riding in a van to the destination and traveling over rough terrain in an environment that has many inherent risks. These risks include but are not limited to falling, weather events, floods, lightning strikes, cold/heat related injuries/illness, plant/animal dangers, rockfall, negligence of instructor or peers, and equipment failures. Further, excursions involve the challenges of traveling outdoors, away from definitive medical/psychological assistance in the event of an incident.

Course Outline

Weeks 1-3: Defining and defending Outdoor Education, including types, historical readings and perspectives, learning theory, models, and preparing to teach a first lesson to the class.

Weeks 4-6: First lessons, The outdoors as a classroom, methods of instruction, the grasshopper approach, the job field for outdoor educators, and the importance of assessment and feedback.

Weeks 7-9: Skill lesson development and delivery, including assessment, SMART goals, and portfolio development

Weeks 10-12: Teaching Knowledge/Values and lesson plan development, how to give specific feedback. 

Weeks 13-15: Assessment, feedback, and multi-modal lessons.

Notes: We will not have an in-class session on March 17, but all students are expected to present an Outdoor Education lesson at the University of the Parks Celebration.

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

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

With ungraded classes, feedback is an essential part of your growth and learning. I set aside time to give feedback, and because of this, all assignments are due by the date/time listed in the class schedule. Failure to turn in assignments on time will reflect your professionalism assessment and likely harm your final grade. In short, ungraded does not give you an excuse to not meet deadlines. 

Attendance Policy

This class meets in person twice a week, and your presence and participation are essential to your success and the overall learning environment. You are allowed up to 3 free absences over the course of the semester. These are intended to cover things like minor illnesses, travel, or other personal obligations—so I encourage you to use them wisely. It is also an 8:30am class. Excessive tardiness may be counted as an absence. 

If you find yourself needing to miss more than three class sessions due to illness, family emergencies, or other significant circumstances, please reach out to me as soon as possible. I understand that life can be unpredictable, and I’m willing to work with students who communicate and show commitment to the course.

Please note that excessive absences (more than 3) without communication will affect your ability to keep up in class and will result in a lower grade or difficulty passing. Make-up work is not guaranteed but may be offered in certain situations depending on the nature of the absence and the coursework missed. 

Despite this being and ungraded class, you can not expect to pass if you miss class frequently, especially since teaching and giving feedback to your peers is an essential element of the course. If you miss in excess of 7 class meetings, expect a failing grade. 

Ultimately, I want you to succeed and stay healthy—physically and mentally—so please keep me in the loop if something comes up.

Course Fees

$7.50 per credit hour

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.