FRI311 Critical Issues in Outdoor Studies (Autumn 2026)
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies
- Course Leader:
- Simon Kennedy Beames
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Duration:
- ½ year
Table of contents
Introduction
Prerequisite
Admission to the course
Students enrolled in the BAFRI program and international exchange students. Students who are not BAFRI or international students, upon application. These applicants must have completed 60 ECTS credits in outdoor studies to qualify for admission.
The course will be conducted with a minimum of 10 students.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students should be able to:
- identify current issues and trends in the areas of outdoor education, nature tourism, adventure recreation and nature-based health;
- critically interrogate friluftsliv practices that may marginalize humans, landscapes, and the more-than-human;
- consider how identity politics can shape people's outdoor-related attitudes and actions;
- and examine how social structures, institutions, capitalism, and social media influence outdoor practices.
Learning methods and activities
Lectures, seminars, daytrips, workshops, and independent study.
The course is taught in English. English or Norwegian can be used for assessment.
Work requirements
To take the exam in the subject, the following work requirements must be approved
- Short oral report in-class about an interesting editorial chronicle
- One-page written outline of selected topic
- Offering constructive feedback on five other students’ video presentations
- Attendance requirements: 80 % participation in all learning activities (excluding multi-day trips, and preparatory work that is necessary for participation).
- Active and constructive participation.
If a student is at risk of not fulfilling these criteria, they will be notified in writing by the course organizer. If the student’s performance does not improve markedly, they may fail the trip element of the course to be considered to have completed the course.
Assessment/exam
- Pecha kucha video assignment. Students select one controversial issue in outdoor studies, investigate its roots, outline the views of various stakeholders. Midway through the course. Worth 40 % of final mark, graded A-F.
- Oral presentation at a seminar open to NIH students and staff. This final assignment builds on the one-page outline and video assignments. Students develop and refine their arguments around their chosen controversial issue and suggest reasonable ways that this issue might be addressed. Worth 60 % of final mark, graded A-F.
- Attendance requirements: 100 % participation on multi-day trips and sessions held off campus, and preparations necessary for participation. Pass/fail