Prescott College (unofficial)

Awww, late night Prescott College library scene.  (swiped from PC’s insta)

In this field research course, students with natural history and ecology and interest in research methods will take part in on-going research projects in nationalparks and forests within the Colorado Plateau ecoregion. Students will participate in field-based data collection, data entry and analysis and will gain experience with spatial (Geographic Information Sciences) and statistical analysis and modeling. The class will contribute to a written summary of research. In Fall 2014, the class will focus on several high elevation projects in the San Juan Mountains in conjunction with Mountain Studies Institute, Silverton, Colorado. These will concern pika population dynamics and measures of climate change. The class will also study pinon woodland resiliency to climate changes at Mesa Verde National Park.

This intensive, field-based course is appropriate for intermediate and advanced students with solid backgrounds in extended backcountry travel. The expectation is that participants are committed to building on existing skills and knowledge in remote and challenging environments. The focus is on the planning and implementation of a self-contained river expedition in that context. The course will include the exploration of regional cultures, geography, and descents of appropriate rivers. Topics to be covered include: paddle strokes and maneuvers, river reading and running, expedition planning and logistics, area specific technical skills, safety and hazard evaluation, place-based natural history, cultural studies and leadership.

This course addresses aspects of form and pattern in nature based especially on the botanical work of Goethe (who coined the term "morphology"), as well as the classic studies of D'Arcy Thompson ("On Growth and Form"), the mathematics of Fibonacci, the environmental art of Andy Goldsworthy, new developments in pattern analysis, fractal geometry and chaos theory, and other contributions. Students explore the nature of cognition and examine in detail plant and animal morphology from aesthetic, functional, and phenomenological perspectives and ultimately apply these observations to an understanding of landscape quality and sense of place. Selected form elements, such as the sphere and spiral, which recur throughout nature, are also studied, as well as the fluid dynamics of water. In addition, students are introduced to the application of projective geometry as a tool to understand the qualitative features and interrelationships of natural forms and the processes of metamorphosis. We will have several local field trips, and each student is required to complete a final project that elaborates a theme from the course.

Geology provides insights into the origins and continuing evolution of the landscape in which we live, work, and play. This course will utilize the remarkable variety of the Arizona landscape to illustrate geologic principles in the context of regional geological while exploring the geology of the Colorado Plateau, Transition Zone, and Basin and Range physiographic provinces. The course includes rock identification, the rock cycle, the geologic time scale, plate tectonic theory, and the origin and evolution of Arizona landforms and structures through time while focusing on interpreting the rock record in the field. Students seeking upper division credit will build upon prior geology experience to demonstrate an advanced ability to interpret aspects of Arizona geology.

This course is designed to introduce and explore the connections between rock climbing and hatha yoga with the anticipation that the practice of each will enhance the other. The curriculum consists of an even balance of rock climbing and hatha yoga practice. Students with experience in either discipline will explore and discover the complementary relationship of the two pursuits. Hatha yoga postures, breathing, and meditation transfer directly to graceful movement, awareness, and control on the rock. Strength, courage, and focus - qualities that run parallel in each pursuit - will be developed in this course. All the skills covered in an introduction to rock climbing course will be introduced or reviewed. These include knot-tying, anchor systems, multi-pitch lead climbing, and rescue techniques. There is space in the curriculum to develop each climber's technical repertoire.

Top rope climbing at Prescott College  :)  PC is so close to some really gorgeous rock climbing.  Pictured here (swiped from PC insta) is the Granite Dells, just outside of town.

This course introduces students to the basic technical skills associated with rock climbing. The appropriate student has little to no rock climbing experience, and is led through a gentle progression of technical skills in both single-day and overnight excursions. Emphasis is placed on climbing at outdoor top rope and multi-pitch sites, utilizing natural and fixed anchor systems. Students are introduced to basic knots, rope handling, belaying, signals, anchors, and rigging. In addition, students are asked to consider risk management, problem solving, and decision making in the development of these skills. Movement on rock, balance, as well as physical and emotional safety are incorporated daily as the group moves through this progression of skills.