Are you looking for affordable and fun classes? Southwestern's Community Education & Workforce Development department offers a variety of life-long learning and personal exploration opportunities to enrich your life.

We offer classes at both of our beautiful campuses in Coos Bay and Brookings. All of our Community Education courses are noncredit. Whether you are looking for an art class or need to get your flagger certification card, we’ve got you covered. Our instructors are highly qualified individuals from our very own communities.

Winter term classes start Tuesday, January 4, 2022.
To register for a class call or email the Student First Stop Center:

Coos: 541-888-7352
[email protected]

Curry: 541-813-1667
[email protected]

Students participating in a face-to-face community class will be required to comply with the College's COVID-19 safety protocols.

COOS CAMPUS

THE ARTS

ART 0130 01  NATURAL FIBER CROCHETED BEANIE
Learn the benefits of natural fibers (wool and mohair), how to crochet and finish a beanie, and how to care for their finished fiber art after use. Materials and equipment provided. Each person will complete a beanie within the time frame of the class. An overview of processing the natural fibers from raw fleece to yarn will also be provided. Instructor: Kristi Kistner
Location: Eden 7
Cost: $85
Day: Sat 2/26 & 3/12
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

ART 0144 01  YARN DYEING
Learn the benefits of natural fibers (wool and mohair) and processing the natural fibers from raw fleece into yarn. The focus of the class will be hand-dyeing hand-spun yarn. How to finish the dyed yarn for use in crochet or knitting projects will also be covered. Materials and equipment provided. Instructor: Kristi Kistner
Location: Eden 7
Cost: $99
Day: Sat 2/12
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm

ART 0137 01  YARN SPINNING
The focus of this class is fiber preparation prior to spinning and then spinning yarn with a drop spindle. How to finish hand-spun yarn for use in crochet or knitting projects will also be covered. Materials and equipment provided. Instructor: Kristi Kistner
Location: Eden 7
Cost: $95
Day: Sat 1/22 & 1/29
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

ART 0257 01  CERAMICS BASICS
Explore in a studio setting the art of working in clay. In this course, students are guided to develop skills with hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques. Perfect for beginning and intermediate potters. Instructor: Annie Pollard
Location: Eden 5
Cost: $129
Day: Tue
Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm

SPECIAL INTEREST

GS 0150 01  EVERYDAY WEATHER
This course will cover the basics of several aspects of weather, including global atmospheric circulations, fronts, cloud types, precipitation formation, and how to interpret readily internet-available weather charts, radar and satellite imagery. Instructor: Brenda Belongie
Location: Newmark 201
Cost: $65
Day: Sat 1/8-2/12
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

COOKING

Please Note: As a safety precaution all students attending cooking classes must wear pants and closed toe shoes. Menu items are subject to change based on availability, costs, and shipping times. Due to this we are unable to provide specific information on the dishes that will be created prior to the day of class.

CRT 0145 01  THE SECRET’S IN THE SAUCE!
Do you want to learn how to make a killer sauce to compliment any meal? In this course you will learn to make a variety of sauces that the chef has chosen to explore. The possibilities range from the five classical grand sauces that are the basis for most other sauces; béchamel, velouté, brown or espagnole sauce, tomato sauce, and hollandaise. Instructor: Randy Torres
Location: OCCI 121
Cost: $85
Day: Sat 1/22
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

CRT 0140 01  SOUP DU JOUR
This class will explore a surprise soup chosen by one of our chefs.  The soup will either be a clear or thick soup. Clear soups include flavored stocks, broths, and consommés, and include soups such as chicken noodle soup and French onion soup. Thick soups include cream and purée soups, such as bisques or cream of tomato soup. Stock or broth is the basic ingredient in clear soups. Instructor: Randy Torres
Location: OCCI 121
Cost: $85
Day: Sat 2/26
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

CRT 0129 01  VEGAN COOKING 
What is more beautiful that the vibrant colors of nature made fruits and vegetables?  Come learn about vegan cooking!  This course will cover such things as the benefits, sourcing, variety, basic flavor combinations, and amazing recipes that will leave you yearning for more. For persons new to vegan eating Laura is sure to delight your taste buds, you may even find yourself considering a lifestyle change. Those of you who are already eating vegan you will also benefit from this course. Give yourself some new ideas and share thoughts with your expert Chef on how to revamp some of your current recipes. Instructor: Laura Williams
Location: OCCI 121
Cost: $85
Day: Sat 3/5
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

FITNESS & RECREATION

PE 0517 01  JUDO
Guides students through basic skill development in the fundamentals all the way through the advanced skills and techniques of Judo. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Judo and the benefits towards implementing it as an ideal form of physical exercise, character building and a reliable system of self-defense. Instructor: Clayton Willett
Location: Prosper Hall Mat Room 3
Cost: $75
Days: Tue, Thur
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm

PE 0518 01  KARATE
Introduces students to basic skill development in the fundamentals all the way through the advanced skills and techniques of Karate. Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Karate and the benefits towards implementing it as an ideal form of physical exercise, character building and a reliable system of self-defense. Instructor: Clayton Willett
Location: Prosper Hall Mat Room 3
Cost: $75
Days: Mon, Wed
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm

PE 0201 01  BELLY DANCE
Belly Dance has long been admired as a form of dance that is sensual, exciting, uplifting, healing, and fun! This class gives you the understanding of basic belly dance technique, posturing, language, move execution and it helps you to build necessary strength. Some use of finger cymbals or veil may be covered as the course progresses. Instructor: Zendra Tams
Location: Rec Center 131
Cost: $85
Days: Mon
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

PE 0410 01  CHILDREN’S JUDO
Judo focuses on throwing and grappling techniques where execution is based on balance, leverage and agility.  This course is designed to introduce students age 6-15 to the fundamentals of Judo. Instructor: Rob Schab
Location: Prosper Hall Mat Room 3
Cost: $65
Days: Tue, Thur
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm

PE 0507 01  YOGA FOR HEALTH – BEGINNER
Restorative, therapeutic yoga practice safe and comfortable. Improve posture, balance, strength, flexibility and stress reduction while calming and quieting the mind. Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Hatha yoga styles are practiced with props for comfort and safety. Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and foam rollers will not be provided. Patrons may bring their own. Instructor: Linda Laverty
Location: Rec Center Room 121
Cost: $69
Day: Mon
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm

PE 0506 01  YOGA FOR HEALTH – INTERMEDIATE
A more challenging yoga practice with benefits of restorative and therapeutic results for improved posture, balance, strength, flexibility and stress reduction, while calming and quieting the mind. Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and foam rollers will not be provided. Patrons may bring their own. Instructor: Linda Laverty
Location: Rec Center 121
Cost: $69
Day: Wed
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm

CURRY CAMPUS

SPECIAL INTEREST

WR 0105 01  CREATIVE WRITING & STORY WORLDS
This course introduces the theory, techniques, and practice of fiction writing to the beginning student. Writing exercises, both to take home and to do in the classroom, complement the discussions, and are critiqued. Part of each week is spent in discussion. Instructor: Laec Christensen
Location: Curry Campus 118
Cost: $109
Day: Fri 01/07-03/11
Time: 3:00pm-4:55pm

FITNESS

PE 0570 01  LOW IMPACT 
This class uses easy to follow dance steps and rhythmic movements that are choreographed to upbeat music. This is a fun way to get you moving while improving your cardiovascular system, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, while boosting your overall fitness level. Please bring a matt. Instructor: Mary Whitaker
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B
Cost: $63
Day: Tue, Thur
Time: 8:30am-9:45am

PE 0504 01  TAI CHI
This is a gentle, relaxed non-sweat, personal exercise (translated as the “Grand Ultimate”) for any age.  The ‘Yang Form’ will be taught along with ‘Chi Gwa’ (circulating breath) and ‘Silk Cocoon Chen’ (fine intertwining energy). Instructor: Deane McConnell
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B
Cost: $63
Day: Tues
Time: 10:00am-11:30am

PE 0506 02  YOGA FOR HEALTH
A yoga practice with benefits of restorative and therapeutic results for improved posture, balance, strength, flexibility and stress reduction, while calming and quieting the mind. Yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, and foam rollers will not be provided. Patrons may bring their own. Instructor: Glencora Powers
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B
Cost: $63
Day: Mon, Wed
Time: 8:30-9:50am

PE 0503 01  PILATES^® EXERCISE
Pilates^® is a body conditioning routine that helps build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core, as well as improving coordination and balance. Pilates^® is also helpful in preventing and rehabilitating from injuries, improving posture, and increasing flexibility, circulation, and balance. Mats, blocks, straps, and foam rollers will not be provided. Patrons may bring their own. Instructor: Glencora Powers
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B
Cost: $63
Day: Mon, Wed
Time: 10:00am-11:00am

Online courses are accessed through mylakerlink.socc.edu.
After registering, log into myLakerLink and click on eLearning Courses under Quick Links for access to your class.

SPECIAL INTEREST

CE 0205 01  ART AND THE BRAIN
Art is definitional of what it is to be human. Our ability to appreciate or make art hinges on personal characteristics and cultural preferences. This course explores some important perceptual and cognitive foundations that give rise to aesthetic preferences and choices. For example, are there any differences in: crafting compositions in left- versus right handers; how children of various ages represent “reality”; or what each cerebral hemisphere “sees” and “feels”? Instructor: George Conesa
Location: Live Online Zoom
Cost: $109
Day: Sat 1/8-3/12
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm

ENG 0110 01  POETRY
In this course students will explore and examine classic poets such as Emily Dickinson, William Wordsworth and John Milton through discussion posts, close-reading exercises and practice exercises. Get to know the major components of poetry, understand structure and learn how to identify stanza and rhyme formats. Designed to engage students in riveting and educational discussion to increase their understanding and awareness of the major elements present in poetry as they create their own works, displaying what they have learned. Optional bi-weekly Zoom sessions included. Instructor: Tyana Brown
Location: Online-On Demand
Cost: $99

ENG 0105 65  SHAKESPEARE
This course introduces students to the plays of William Shakespeare. Students will explore and examine major themes and genres (such as comedy, romance, tragedy and history) present within his plays through discussion posts and close-reading exercises. Get to know main characters, understand plot structure and learn how to interpret his plays. Designed to engage students in riveting and educational discussion to increase their understanding and awareness of the major elements present in Shakespeare’s work. Optional bi-weekly Zoom sessions included. Instructor: Tyana Brown
Location: Online-On Demand
Cost: $99

WR 0100 65  WRITING YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Who better to tell your story than YOU? Come and learn how to put together all of your stories into a book. Your autobiography is sure to be something cherished. This course will introduce you to the techniques of writing an autobiography. Instruction will include method, style, and organization. You will collaborate with your classmates and the instructor in class in order to develop writing techniques. Instructor: Sally Harrold
Location: Live Online Zoom
Cost: $105
Day: Monday Time: 1:30pm-4:00pm

FITNESS

PE 0503 65  PILATES^® EXERCISE
Pilates^® is a body conditioning routine that helps build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. It puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core, as well as improving coordination and balance. Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck
Location: Online-On Demand
Cost: $103.50

PE 0535 65  DANCE FITNESS
Dance Fitness fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an addictive dance-fitness class. The course utilizes the principles of fitness interval training and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning, and total body toning. It is a way of mixing body sculpting movements with easy-to-follow dance steps. Inspired by fun and upbeat dance music, using a variety of dance styles in the routines. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms to help tone and sculpt the body. Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck
Location: Online-On Demand
Cost: $103.50

PE 0505 65  TURBO KICK
Turbo Kick is a combination of intense kickboxing moves, as well as a unique blend of intense interval strength and endurance training all perfectly choreographed to high energy and motivating music. It’s the ultimate cardiovascular challenge that is perfect for the high-level athlete and the exercise novice. Turbo Kick requires no previous kickboxing experience or equipment. It’s high intensity, fast-paced, and totally addicting! Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck
Location: Online-On Demand
Cost: $103.50

Take classes "on the go!" with ed2g

Classes

Online classes start every month and are typically six-weeks long. With 24-hour access to your class, you choose the right time to be engaged. Check out the variety of courses to choose from and complete registration here.

Advanced Career Training

Need more than what can be offered in six-weeks? We have programs ranging in length from 6 to 18 months. Programs offer industry recognized certifications, are self-paced, and include all the materials. Where could your journey take you? Check out this video. Investigate the variety of training programs to choose from and complete registration here.