B5774 - BODY CULTURES, OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND WELLBEING

Learning outcomes

The course offers reflections and practices on the active relationship between individuals, environments, and communities. Body techniques and habitus in Outdoor Education are explored, with an experiential approach to foster well-being and learning in different environments and contexts (urban, suburban, school, extracurricular). Body cultures, somatic practices, and imaginaries are investigated as indispensable pedagogical resources for exercising body awareness, community practices, quality of relationships, belonging, and responsibility towards the planet

Course contents

The course aims to introduce students to key debates and discussions surrounding 'body cultures' within the framework of existing research and policies, as well as to explore examples of practices in the fields of wellness, sport, and outdoor education.

After an introductory module presenting the course and participants, the course will be organized into 2 units:


1. Sport and Communication

• Play Universals: Space, Time, Objects, Scores, Roles, Relationships, Communications;
• Classification of motor activities;
• Motor communication: ludems (gestems and praxems).
  

 

2. Outdoor Education

• Recent history of Outdoor Education;
• Characteristics of the main outdoor education programs;
• Promoting active lifestyles, inclusion, and sustainability through outdoor motor activity programs. 

Readings/Bibliography

Bortolotti, A. (2021). Perspectives on outdoor sports: uncertainty between nature and culture, Journal of Physical Education and Sport (JPES), Vol 21 (Supplement issue 1), Art 75 pp 638 – 642.

Jucker, R., von Au, J. (Eds.) (2022). High-Quality Outdoor Learning. Evidence-based Education Outside the Classroom for Children, Teachers and Society. London: Springer.

Teaching methods

"The teaching methods are: traditional lectures, expert lectures, guided discussions and exercises, outdoor experiences, and project work.

The course is delivered on the 'Virtuale' platform, which contains all the necessary information and materials. The course may include optional intermediate assignments. Students are required to read the suggested documents provided by the teacher, available on 'Virtuale'. Active participation and contribution to class and outdoor discussions are very important formative aspects of the course. In any case, those who are unable to attend and participate in the various exercises can still take the exams during the scheduled sessions.

Assessment methods

The final exam aims to assess the level achieved in the following learning objectives:

• in-depth knowledge of the topics covered during the lessons;
• critical and independent thinking on these topics;
• ability to apply the learned topics to concrete contexts in the field of sports and physical activities;
• ability to effectively present various knowledge and skills.

 

Choice of assessment:

• Oral exam
  
  
• Written test with both multiple-choice and open-ended questions
  
  
• Small group project work (the topic of the presentation is to be agreed upon in advance)

Teaching tools

Mandatory and recommended readings, as well as lecture slides, are available on 'Virtuale'; various sources (audiovisuals, examples of practical activities, guided discussions, shared reflections, etc.) will also be used from time to time to deepen the concepts covered. The module also adheres to the DDI (Didattica Digitale Integrativa: Integrative Digital Teaching) approach, so lectures will be recorded and made available on 'Virtuale' as they occur. 

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Bortolotti

See the website of Marcella Terrusi