Adventure Idaho
The Adventure Idaho Living Learning Community (AIC) combines outdoor activities – hiking, biking, camping, etc., and academic skills to help first-year students transition into college life. The AIC will use the natural world as their classroom, a place in which students can learn to enjoy richer, more fulfilling lives.
Located in Sawtooth Hall
Why You Should Apply
This community is for students who have a taste for adventure, hope to meet new friends, and want to gain a deeper understanding of the natural world. In this community, students can expect lively conversations while sitting around a campfire and discussing topics ranging from lyric poetry to the history of the West. The Adventure Idaho LLC is a community of learners who are committed to thoughtful engagement with the world.
All majors are welcome (including undecided).
Community Events
Large-scale activities include camping in the nearby desert, hiking in the Sawtooth mountains, and floating down the Boise River. The AIC will take advantage of urban adventures such as strolls through downtown Boise, community speakers in the park, and cultural activities sponsored by Boise State University.
Curriculum
Weekly classes will include readings and discussions. Topics will vary depending upon our planned adventures; however, students can expect to examine the history and geography of Idaho. Additional classes will include information related to the physical and mental benefits of outdoor recreation.
Faculty
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Dr. Rulon Wood
Faculty-in-Residence, Faculty in the Department of Communication and Media
Dr. Rulon “Ru” Wood is an educator and filmmaker who loves the outdoors. He began his educational career at Utah State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Literature. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Ru worked as a film researcher on several network television programs that aired on the CBS network. Believe it or not, he actually spent three years getting paid to investigate alien abductions. No kidding.
He then began graduate studies at Utah State University where he completed a Master’s degree in English, with an emphasis in writing, and an Ed.S. degree in instructional technology, with an emphasis in interactive multimedia/learning technologies. During his studies at Utah State, Ru was selected as the outstanding scholar (Ed.S.) in Instructional Technology (1999). Ru continued his education with an M.F.A. degree in film studies and production at the University of Utah (2003). And in 2011, he completed a Ph.D. in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah.
Since joining the faculty at Boise State, he has worked with various student groups, including the Film Club and student-run film festival. As a life-long learner, Ru is committed to being an engaged member of the COAS LLC, and is excited to be serving as a Faculty-in-Residence after 3 semesters as the Faculty-out-of-Residence.
Contact Dr. Wood: rulonwood@boisestate.edu
Dr. Rulon “Ru” Wood is an educator and filmmaker who loves the outdoors. He began his educational career at Utah State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Literature. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Ru worked as a film researcher on several network television programs that aired on the CBS network. Believe it or not, he actually spent three years getting paid to investigate alien abductions. No kidding.
He then began graduate studies at Utah State University where he completed a Master’s degree in English, with an emphasis in writing, and an Ed.S. degree in instructional technology, with an emphasis in interactive multimedia/learning technologies. During his studies at Utah State, Ru was selected as the outstanding scholar (Ed.S.) in Instructional Technology (1999). Ru continued his education with an M.F.A. degree in film studies and production at the University of Utah (2003). And in 2011, he completed a Ph.D. in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah.
Since joining the faculty at Boise State, he has worked with various student groups, including the Film Club and student-run film festival. As a life-long learner, Ru is committed to being an engaged member of the COAS LLC, and is excited to be serving as a Faculty-in-Residence after 3 semesters as the Faculty-out-of-Residence.
Contact Dr. Wood: rulonwood@boisestate.edu
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Dr. Matt Hansen
Faculty-out-of-Residence, Professor in the Department of English Literature
Dr. Matt Hansen is a Shakespeare scholar and world-traveler. He loves exploring the outdoors, hiking, biking, paddling and has done so in more than 25 countries.
After graduating from High School in Fremont, Nebraska, Matt attended Washington & Lee University, a small liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia where he majored in English literature. He spent his summers working as canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. Matt put his English degree to work at an advertising agency in Manhattan for a year and a half before pursuing a Master’s degree focused on Shakespeare at Oxford University in England. He taught English and led kayaking adventures for a year at a boys’ boarding school in England before returning to Nebraska for a Ph.D. in English. Matt completed his Ph.D. and joined the English literature faculty at Boise State in 2005.
In Matt’s ENGLIT 345 – Shakespeare class each Spring, students are invited to learn by doing through an innovative service-learning project called “Shake It Up After School.” For five weeks, Matt and his students teach Shakespeare to local elementary school students by coaching them to prepare a one-hour performance version of one of Shakespeare’s plays.
Matt frequently observes “every day I ride my bike is a good day.” A dedicated bike commuter, Matt also enjoys single tracks and is an avid skier. He is excited to join the Adventure Idaho Community as Faculty-out-of-Residence starting in Fall 2023.
Contact Dr. Hansen: matthewhansen@boisestate.edu
Dr. Matt Hansen is a Shakespeare scholar and world-traveler. He loves exploring the outdoors, hiking, biking, paddling and has done so in more than 25 countries.
After graduating from High School in Fremont, Nebraska, Matt attended Washington & Lee University, a small liberal arts college in Lexington, Virginia where he majored in English literature. He spent his summers working as canoe guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. Matt put his English degree to work at an advertising agency in Manhattan for a year and a half before pursuing a Master’s degree focused on Shakespeare at Oxford University in England. He taught English and led kayaking adventures for a year at a boys’ boarding school in England before returning to Nebraska for a Ph.D. in English. Matt completed his Ph.D. and joined the English literature faculty at Boise State in 2005.
In Matt’s ENGLIT 345 – Shakespeare class each Spring, students are invited to learn by doing through an innovative service-learning project called “Shake It Up After School.” For five weeks, Matt and his students teach Shakespeare to local elementary school students by coaching them to prepare a one-hour performance version of one of Shakespeare’s plays.
Matt frequently observes “every day I ride my bike is a good day.” A dedicated bike commuter, Matt also enjoys single tracks and is an avid skier. He is excited to join the Adventure Idaho Community as Faculty-out-of-Residence starting in Fall 2023.
Contact Dr. Hansen: matthewhansen@boisestate.edu