Mountain Studies Minor

Mountain Studies is a regionally focused, globally relevant interdisciplinary and experiential exploration of mountains and their role in human mythology, history, culture, and the social and natural sciences. As a type of landform, mountains have captivated the imaginations of peoples from around the world, influenced art, and inspired the creation of religions. Moreover, mountains are vitally important for the health of the planet and for supplying the majority of fresh water for human consumption. The Mountain Studies Minor offers an exciting opportunity to study the role of mountains in human culture and natural history, and to experience first hand the vast mountainous terrain in southwest Colorado and beyond while attending Fort Lewis College. A unique partnership between Fort Lewis College and the Mountain Studies Institute in Silverton, Colorado enhances the student's experience available in this innovative program.

Students completing the minor may take classes in the humanities, social sciences, sciences and exercise science in order to achieve an interdisciplinary experience. Students should contact the coordinators, Dr. David Kozak or Dr. Gary Gianniny, in order to plan a course of study or learn the details of the program and internships.

NOTE: This minor has been approved to be included in the 2006-2007 Academic Catalogue of Fort Lewis College. Students may begin taking courses in the minor as early as Winter 2006, but to receive the minor students must use the 2006-07 Catalogue or a later catalogue.

There are five primary components to the minor:

The student selects 12 hours from a list of existing courses (at least six hours of biology or specified geoscience offerings including labs); 6 credits must be upper division
The student completes a total of four hours of internship, at least one internship experience must qualify as service learning.
The student will be responsible for maintaining documentation proving completion of this requirement. This documentation will be required to attain instructor permission to register for MS 496
The student takes two hours of Physical Education (PE) classes selected from a list of existing courses;
The student culminates their Mountain Studies Minor with an integrative capstone course, MS496 (2-4 hours),
and the student participates in four pre-approved Outdoor Pursuits outings. (These experiences form the basis of reflective writing essays in the Mountain Studies Colloquium.) The student will be responsible for maintaining documentation proving completion of this requirement. This documentation will be required to attain instructor permission to register for MS 496.

Specific Requirements:
1.	MSxx	Mountain Studies Internship	4
2.	MS496	Mountain Studies Colloquium	2-4
3.	6 hours must be from biology or geosciences (including labs). No more than one course from your major department will count toward the Mountain Studies Minor. NOTE: Upper Division electives in this minor must total 6 credits. They may be selected from either the Bio/Geo list or from the general elective list.
	Biology
	**BIO125Tx	Conservation Biology	4
	Bio 250Nx	Ecology of the Southwest	4
	Geosciences
	**GEOL113Tx	Physical Geology	4
	GEOL 323	Geomorphology	4
	GEOL 305	Volcanism of Hawaii	2
4.	6 hours of additional credit selected from the list below. NOTE: Upper Division electives in this minor must total 6 credits. They may be selected from either the Bio/Geo list or from the general elective list
	Anthropology
	ANTH351	Ethnology of Andean South America	4
	Business
	BA330	Tourism and Resort Management	4
	English
	**ENG180N	Literature of the Environment	4
	Geography
	**GEOG271R	World Regional Geography	4
	GEOG320	North American Landscape	3
	GEOG 335	Weather and Climate	3
	History
	**HIST181N US/SW	Environmental History	3
	HIST322	Western American Mining	4
	Sociology
	SOC310	Ecology and Society	4
	Southwest Studies
	SW333	Wilderness in America	3
	Thematic Studies
	TS2N405	Wilderness	4
	TS2N406	Water in the West	4
	TS2N410	Fire in the West	4
	TS2R403	Spirit of Adventure	4
	Additional courses may be allowed to meet either of the elective requirements. Contact the Mountain Studies Coordinator for more information regarding other courses that may be appropriate for the minor.
5.	Two hours (2 sections) of Physical Education, chosen from the list below, are also required.
	Physical Education
	PE1410	Backpacking and Camping (S)	1
	PE1430	Day Hiking (F)	1
	PE1450	Kayaking-Beginning (S)	1
	PE1460	Rock Climbing (S)	1
	PE1481	Skiing-Cross Country (F)	1
6.	Participate in 4 approved Outdoor Pursuits outings
	** Courses marked with double asterisks may also be counted toward TS1 requirements.
	TS2 courses may also be counted toward TS2 requirements.
	MS 496	Mountain Studies Colloquium	2-4
	An interdisciplinary course, which offers a capstone experience for the Mountain Studies Minor, it is intended to engage the student in an integrating project that synthesizes what they have learned in Mountain Studies coursework, field, internship, and service learning contexts. The project is student-constructed in consultation with several Mountain Studies faculty members and can be theoretical, applied or service oriented.
	Prerequisite: 2 approved PE courses, 4 approved Outdoor Pursuits outings, MSXXX Internship in Mountain Studies
	MSXXX	Internship in Mountain Studies	2-4
	This course provides a framework for service learning and practical experience for work conducted by students in governmental and non-governmental agencies, or for-profit companies, who deal with mountain ecosystems. Intern interests and organizational needs will be matched to provide benefits to both. Internship examples include, but are not limited to, the US Forest Service, National Park Service, Mountain Studies Institute, mountain tourism industry and the like. Course credit is based on 1) the satisfactory performance of 30 hours of work for each credit hour earned; 2) fulfillment of a service learning contract with a faculty sponsor; and 3) the satisfactory completion of a final project, usually a reflective paper.
	Prerequisite: 2 approved PE courses, 4 approved Outdoor Pursuits outings
NOTE: Student electing the Mountain Studies minor must receive advising from a Mountain Studies advisor.