Courses
Adventure Expeditions and Interpretive Leadership-2024/2025
| Level 1 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| WRIT-1042 | Reason & Writing 1-Tourism/Hospitality | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce tourism and hospitality students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
| ENVR-1029 | Wildlife of North America | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to the wildlife in North America according to geographic locales. Students will develop an understanding of wildlife identification, habitat selection, safety, and conservation principles. From this foundation the students will understand the responsibility of wildlife management, nature appreciation and the opportunities in developing successful Wildlife Viewing Programs. Wildlife viewing activities will include Active, Passive, Guided and non-guided viewing programs. | ||||
| MGMT-5076 | Advocacy & Leadership | 3 | ||
| Students will develop an understanding of the principles of sound leadership and professional advocacy, including the characteristics of excellent leaders. Students will learn to identify personal biases and beliefs and develop an understanding of their impact on both leadership styles and advocacy methods. Students will learn to present a professional opinion and to move forward an idea or concept in the face of opposition. | ||||
| TOUR-1019 | Wilderness Survival & Bushcraft Skills | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with an opportunity to investigate and demonstrate a variety of techniques in wilderness survival. This course examines essential skills primarily focused on survival priorities including shelter, fire, water, map, and food preparation. Students will engage in contextual scenarios and apply the survival skills needed in navigating through some of nature's extreme conditions. | ||||
| PHOT-1076 | Ethical Wildlife Photography | 3 | ||
| This course will provide a study that combines the intricate field components of wildlife biology and wildlife photography. By applying the skills learned in the classroom, students will create a series of unique wildlife photographic portfolios in actual wildlife expedition experiences. This course explores both the fundamentals of photography and the complex relationship between photography and the natural world. | ||||
| TOUR-1020 | Field Course 1 | 3 | ||
| This introductory course provides an opportunity for students to learn a variety of field skills. Students will have an opportunity to complete additional applicable field certifications in this course that will prepare them for their expeditions. This course focuses on introductory field knowledge and the demonstration of practical knowledge and skills. Students will begin to apply interpersonal communication skills through field work and scenarios. | ||||
| Level 2 | ||||
| Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| HLTH-1308 | Wilderness & Remote First Aid | 4 | ||
| This course is designed for those seeking careers in guiding, field workers or those working in remote settings. Students will learn solid foundation in wilderness pre-hospital emergency care. Course curriculum covers various traumatic injuries, patient assessments, incident triage, long-term patient care, leader responsibility and liability, wilderness first aid kits, wound cleaning, evacuation procedures, spinal precautions, commonly encountered wilderness emergencies and illness and working with Emergency Medical Services. | ||||
| BUSI-3036 | Business Strategies & Corp Partnerships | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with a comprehension of the basic concepts and processes of business fundamentals. Students will learn to apply research and analyze these fundamentals; evaluate legal ethical and responsible business in Canada; review entrepreneurship and small business venture, discuss human resource management and explore basic financial management and accounting. | ||||
| BSCI-5008 | Client Services & Professional Ethics | 3 | ||
| This course provides students the opportunity to learn theories and practices of providing excellent customer service and performing in an ethical and professional manner on the job. Areas of study include; identifying 'customers', standards of excellent service, teamwork and team decision making on the job; personal and professional codes of ethics; ethical issues in the workplace, and the application of ethics to the decision-making process. | ||||
| HORT-3025 | Flora & Fauna | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce the students to the diversity of Flora and Fauna in Canada. Students will develop an understanding of how geographical locations can effect the abundance of wildlife based on climate, location, habitat and the environment. From this foundation the students will be able to identify wildlife habitats and the types of indigenous and non indigenous species (both abiotic and biotic) that inhibit these environments. In addition the students will develop their skills in research techniques combining both in class and field study that enhances their visual and analytical skills. As Interpreters they will be able to develop informative wildlife experiences based on their ability to observe and effectively communicate all levels of their natural surroundings. | ||||
| ENVR-1037 | Environmental Sustainability | 3 | ||
| Students will learn how natural environments function and how humans can manage their ecosystems in order to live sustainably. This course will provide an overview of the principles of sustainability and will familiarize students with a number of environmental sustainability initiatives and practices. Students will be able to articulate the benefits of developing sustainable business practices; analyse existing practices, and foster attitudes of responsible environmental management. Students will examine concepts that challenge our natural environment (including air/water pollution, agriculture, climate change, human population growth, resource management) and examine case studies and best practices for sustainability and preservation of sensitive ecosystems. | ||||
| TOUR-3006 | Field Course 2 | 3 | ||
| This course is an intermediate level course that builds on the concepts and skills introduced in Field Course I. This course provides an opportunity for students to apply and engage in a variety of field skills in different weather scenarios; including winter. Students will have the opportunity to complete additional applicable field certificates that will focus on a variety of knowledge and skills. Students will refine their interpersonal and communication skills through field work and scenarios. | ||||
| Level 3 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| ENVR-3018 | Environmental Interpretation & Skills | 4 | ||
| This course provides students an opportunity to continue developing interpretive abilities, and complements the skills developed in the Interpretive Naturalist and Group Assistance and Guiding courses, among others. An essential component of environmental interpretation is proper planning. Students will examine various approaches, principles, processes and techniques relevant to interpretive planning. Students will learn how to practice thematic interpretation, prepare and present a talk using visual aids appropriately, conduct group activities in a planned and meaningful way, prepare exhibits, develop self-guided tours; and plan, effectively deliver, and evaluate aninterpretive program. | ||||
| ECOL-1003 | Ecology & Conservation | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce students to major ecological and conservation concepts and techniques. An overview of local and global environmental issues is included. Students will examine individual, group, and governmental activities important for protecting natural ecosystems. Students will review pertinent literature in order to identify problems and issues; utilize research methodology for the study of natural ecosystems; and develop an understanding of appropriate solutions and analytical techniques. | ||||
| GEOL-3002 | Geology, Cartography & GPS/GIS | 3 | ||
| The course will introduce the students to the disciplines of Geology, the study of the earths surface and structure; Cartography, the study and practice of making maps; Global Positioning Systems (GPS), a system of earth-orbiting satellites transmitting signals continuously towards the earth, that enables the position of a receiving device on or near the earth's surface to be accurately estimated; and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), a system of hardware and software used for storage, retrieval, mapping, and analysis of geographic data. Students will acquire knowledge and comprehension of these related disciplines and apply these fields into interactive interpretive programs. | ||||
| COMM-5023 | Grant Research & Proposal Writing | 3 | ||
| This course develops students' professional communication skills (both oral and written) for the interpretive guiding profession. Students produce a variety of documents appropriate for their workplaces including emails, letters, reports, as well as grant applications. Tone, format, organization, and word choice are critical factors in these documents. Students incorporate skills such as research, critical thinking, and summarizing into preparing a proposal, and oral presentation. They also address various communication challenges in a diverse workplace. | ||||
| MKTG-1083 | Marketing & Market Research Basics | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with a comprehension of the basic concepts and processes of marketing and market research. Students will learn to research and analyze market opportunities; evaluate product concept and design; pricing decisions, evaluate distribution, promotion as well as develop an awareness of technology driven markets. | ||||
| TOUR-3007 | Adventure Expedition Fall | 3 | ||
| This intensive fall expedition program is designed to allow the students an opportunity to learn and explore canoe and kayak skills in the natural environment, under the guidance and supervision of faculty. During the field course, students will practice and refine new skills specifically related to canoe and kayaking. They will have an opportunity to work with professionals, get certified in a number of areas, and develop partnerships within each of the selected regions. This expedition will challenge students to push their limits, learn new skills, and acquire important certifications for the tourism and travel industries. The students will be participating in a series of daily activities including: developing program concepts; understanding food safety and menu planning; canoeing; and kayaking. The students will be engaged in learning activities and participate in certification courses designed and implemented by various partners. | ||||
| Level 4 | ||||
| Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
| LAWS-3069 | Legislation & Protection Act | 2 | ||
| This course will provide students an opportunity to review, analyze, and interpret current legislation and protection acts relative to interpretive guiding, conservation, and wildlife. Students will be introduced to various acts and their applications within the field. | ||||
| TOUR-5002 | Interpretive Naturalist | 3 | ||
| Interpretive Naturalist -Interpretation blends science with art to touch lives and inspire an awareness and appreciation for our natural and cultural resources. The Interpretive Naturalist assumes the role and has the ability to present many programs that share the unique stories of our natural and cultural environments, This course provides students an opportunity to synthesize elements of their academic courses, expeditions and co-op experiences in order to plan, prepare, deliver, and evaluate interpretive programs. Students will develop and deliver their own program as well as participate in peer reviews. In addition the students will continue to develop their skills in research techniques combining both in class and field study to enhance their visual, analytical and presentation skills. As Interpreters they will be able to develop informative presentations based on their ability to observe and effectively communicate all levels of their natural surroundings in a variety of environments including hiking, biking, canoeing/kayaking, in formal and wilderness settings. | ||||
| MKTG-3038 | Marketing 2 | 3 | ||
| This course will provide students with a comprehension of the basic concepts and processes of marketing and market research. Students will learn to apply, research and analyse market opportunities; evaluate product concept and design; pricing decisions, evaluate distribution and understand promotion and its connection to social media platforms. | ||||
| TOUR-3002 | Group Assistance & Guiding | 3 | ||
| This course will introduce the students to the various levels of guiding and the types of situations they might encounter while on expedition. In addition, they will be able to maintain a positive expedition experience by combining their skills in interpretation of the natural surroundings. As interpreters they will use their knowledge of the natural surroundings to conduct effective learning experiences through subliminal techniques. Their skills as expedition/group leaders will also allow them to maintain a positive environment during negative situations and how to keep control in a group environment where a diversity of personalities can conflict. Group and client safety are the key concerns of the interpreter expedition guide, students will have the ability to asses a variety of situations and be able to make effective decisions. | ||||
| INDG-1016 | Building Community One Idea At a Time | 3 | ||
| Students will focus on defining community from a variety of perspectives, use idea generation and identify beliefs that create a community culture, by immersing yourself in community. We will ask you to look at various Indigenous frameworks, and the principles of Human Centred Design to creatively approach problem-solving at the community level and then through research and prototyping, to present potential community solutions. | ||||
| TOUR-5003 | Adventure Expedition Winter | 3 | ||
| This expedition provides students an opportunity to learn and practice the skills acquired throughout the program during winter activities and survival conditions. Field work includes elements of winter camping including preparation and planning; navigation; food packing and preparation; shelter; and appropriate outdoor activities. | ||||
| Gen Ed - Electives | ||||
| Take 6 General Education Credits - Normally taken in Levels 1 and 2 | ||||
| Program Residency | ||||
| Students must complete a minimum of 20 credits in this program at Fanshawe College to meet the Program Residency requirement and Graduate from this program | ||||