FRI-1800 Outdoor life activities - Autumn - 15 stp

The course is practically oriented, based on a theoretical background. Through this course, the students shall acquire basic skills, knowledge and experiences connected to basic outdoor life activities on bare ground (autumn/summer). The students shall get an insight into different perspectives of outdoor life (friluftsliv) and be able to reflect upon and discuss outdoor life (friluftsliv) in different contexts. The students shall develop their ability to work together and show joint responsibility and critical self-evaluation. The students shall enhance their understanding for their own academic field in connection with outdoor life activities. This course will give an introduction into a variety of outdoor life topics such as:

• Hiking on foot in various terrain
• Different forms of outdoor camping on bare ground
• Planning, leading and managing trips
• Safety and requirements connected to clothing, equipment and activities in summer/autumn season
• Safety in the outdoors; first aid, emergency plans, safety in water activities and off road biking
• Navigation
• Traditions connected to harvesting from the nature    
• Friluftsliv as a cultural and sociological phenomenon
• Outdoor life in different cultures and countries
• Nature knowledge
• The Sami culture in Finnmark
• Traceless travel in the outdoors

This course is for exchange students.

Target group: This course will especially be interesting for students also engaged in sport sciences, in outdoor education, environmental education, leisure management or in the nature based tourism field

Prerequisites: Normal physical conditions. Adequate personal outdoor equipment is required. Students must be able to speak, write and read English.

Only 15 students will be admitted.

On successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the following overall learning outcomes in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

• Have knowledge about the traditions and contemporary practices of outdoor life (friluftsliv) in Norway
• Have overview of rules and regulations connected to outdoor life (friluftsliv) activities
• Have insight into nature and culture in northern Norway
• Have understanding of different aspects of outdoor leadership, safety and group dynamics in the outdoors

Skills

• Be able to practice basic bare ground outdoor life activities, such as camping, hiking on foot and with bike in different terrain, light camp fire, use of equipment, cooking, navigation, canoeing
• Demonstrate skills, methods and routines for planning and leading trips for  2-3 days
• Have ability to navigate and make necessary judgements on safety issues
• Be able to take care of oneself and others under different conditions

General competence

• Be able to demonstrate a reflective understanding of nature and outdoor life (friluftsliv) as practice, phenomenon and concept
• Be aware of the requirements concerning the competence and equipment required for practising safe outdoor life in the arctic region
• Demonstrate reflective skills with regards to own experiences and learning outcomes
• Have an awareness of the environmental conditions and be able to demonstrate traceless travel
• Reflect on how outdoor life activities can be used in own academic field

Asessment: The following requirements must have been approved before the candidate is allowed to start  the exam work:

• At least 80% active participation in all trips, outdoor- and classroom activities, including lectures, presentations, trip planning and group tasks.
• Approved paperwork and presentations. Overview over required paperwork will be given in the start of the course.

Exam: Individual written assignment in 5 days. Students who achieve F (failure) will be given the opportunity for a re-exam to improve their examwork. Normally in the following semester.

Marks: A-F. A is the best mark, E the lowest mark for a pass. F is fail.