Community Education
CONTACT US
Community Education and Workforce Development
Phone: 541-888-7214
Email
Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Take Classes For Fun and Personal Growth!
Southwestern offers a wide range of life-long learning and personal exploration opportunities to enrich your life. We offer a variety of community education classes at our beautiful Coos and Curry campuses, and online as well. All of our Community Classes are noncredit, and taught by highly qualified individuals from our local communities.
Fall term classes start Monday, September 16, 2024.
REGISTRATION FOR FALL TERM COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASSES OPENS AUG. 19, 2024 AT 8:00 AM
To register for a class:
- You must have an active SWOCC Student ID number. If you have taken classes at Southwestern within the last year, you will have an active SWOCC Student ID number .
- If you have NOT taken a class at Southwestern within the last year, complete the Community Education & Personal Enrichment application form. This will get you an active SWOCC Student ID number. Skip this step only if you have taken classes at Southwestern within the past year.
- When you have an active SWOCC Student ID number, call or email:
- Coos: 541-888-7352, Email
- Curry: 541-813-1667, Email
CONTACT US
Community Education and Workforce Development
Phone: 541-888-7214
Email
Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm
(Closed on Fridays during summer)
Coos Campus In-Person
The Arts
MUP 0105 65 COMMUNITY CHOIR
The SWOCC Community Choir provides an opportunity for singers of all levels to participate in a musically rich, and socially engaging choral ensemble. The Community Choir will focus on providing a safe and stimulating environment for people of all backgrounds to learn, practice, and perform quality choral literature in a large group setting. Focus will be placed on healthy vocal production, musically inspiring performance, strong social connections, and effectively working with others. A wide variety of musical styles will be explored, and participants will present a concert performance at the end of each term. This is a non-auditioned ensemble, but the ability to match pitch is requested.
Instructor: Ken Graber
Location: Sunset 2 Cost: $30
Day: Mon Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
ART 0257 65 CERAMICS BASICS – HAND BUILDING
For beginning and intermediate potters. Beginning potters create works of art through demonstrated and supervised basic hand building techniques that support exploration in a studio setting covering the processes of working in clay: designing, curing, finishing and firing. Intermediate students self-direct to enhance their skills with hand-building and/or wheel-throwing techniques with instructor support. Instructor: Annie Pollard
Location: Eden 5 Cost: $129
Day: Tue Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
ART 0259 65 ADVANCED CERAMICS
Create works of art through supervised mentoring of advanced techniques for advanced-level potters. Course cost does not include clay. Clay is purchased as needed in class through the ceramics department. Instructor: Aimee Bennett
Location: Eden 5 Cost: $209
Day: Mon, Wed Time: 12:30pm-3:20pm
Culinary Arts
CRT 0185 65 PERFECT PASTA (Handmade Pasta)
What’s better than eating pasta made from scratch? In this hands-on class you will gain the skills needed to whip up a fresh batch of pasta. Learn how to prepare the dough, roll out the noodles, and cook them to perfection. The chef will provide instruction on a variety of common pastas that you will be able to achieve both in the class and later in your home.
Instructor: Chef Chris Foltz
Location: OCCI Hollandaise Kitchen Room 121 Cost: $89
Day: Saturday 9/28/24 Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
CRT 0160 65 BREAD BASICS (Soft roll, Baguettes, Ciabatta and Pre-ferments)
Bread making is an art. In this course you will learn the basics of this art along with several types of breads that you will be able to recreate at home. This basic course will review the mixing of ingredients that involves many chemical reactions that take place in order to give you the final product.
Instructor: Chef Chris Foltz
Location: OCCI Hollandaise Kitchen Room 121 Cost: $89
Day: Saturday 10/19/24 Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
CRT 0150 65 HOLIDAY DINNER BASICS (Turkey/Turducken, Prime Rib, Sides)
The holidays are about family, celebrations, and of course, delicious food! Our chefs will walk you through how to create holiday masterpieces that you can recreate in your own kitchen. Your family and friends will be in awe as you whip up a one-of-a-kind holiday dish. Dishes you’ll learn will be a variety of chef-chosen recipes of savory dinners, appealing appetizers, delicious desserts, and more. You’ll want to host the next holiday just so you can show off your cooking and baking skills.
Instructor: Chef Chris Foltz
Location: OCCI Hollandaise Kitchen Room 121 Cost: $89
Day: Saturday 11/16/24 Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Please Note: As a safety precaution students attending cooking classes must wear pants and closed-toe shoes. Menu items are subject to change up to the day of the class, based on availability, costs, and shipping times. Due to this we are unable to provide information on specific dishes.
Fitness & Recreation
PE 0234 65 INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE (BEGINNING)
Tour the world one dance step at a time in this beginner-level class for people 12 years of age and older. Dancers will learn dances from Eastern Europe, Israel, Turkey, Portugal, and various other countries. The suggested dress is cool, comfortable clothing. Instructor: Stacy Rose
Location: Rec Center 121 Cost: $69
Day: Wed Time: 6:30pm-8:20pm
PE 0507 65 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. Yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, and foam rollers will not be provided. Patrons may bring their own for use.
Instructor: Linda Laverty
Location: Rec Center 121 Cost: $75
Day: Mon Time: 1:00pm-2:15pm
PE 0506 65 YOGA FOR HEALTH – INTERMEDIATE
A more challenging yoga practice with restorative and therapeutic benefits. Yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, and foam rollers will not be provided. Patrons may bring their own for use.
Instructor: Linda Laverty
Location: Rec Center 121 Cost: $75
Day: Wed Time: 1:00pm-2:15pm
PE 0503 65 PILATES® EXERCISE
Pilates® is a body-conditioning routine that helps build flexibility and muscle strength. 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: Rec Center 121 Cost: $105
Days: Tue, Thurs Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm
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. Turbo Kick requires no previous kickboxing experience or equipment.
Instructor: Melissa Loudenbeck
Location: Rec Center 121 Cost: $105
Days: Mon, Wed Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm
PE 0509 65 ZUMBA®
Zumba® Fitness is a global brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an addictive dance-fitness class. Zumba® utilizes the principles of fitness interval training and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning, and total body toning. Instructor: Tina Woodworth
Location: Rec Center 131 Cost: $95
Days: Mon, Wed Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm
Special Interest
G 025DB 65 REGIONAL GEOLOGY – DEPOE BAY FIELD TRIP
A lecture in the field to highlight the significant geologic features along the Oregon Coast with stops focused between Florence and Depoe Bay. Some of the highlights are stops at: Devil’s Churn, mollusk fossils at Beverly Beach, Cape Foulweather, Devil’s Punchbowl, Pillow Basalts at Depoe Bay and more. The course consists of a field trip arranged to illustrate the geologic setting, stratigraphy and structure, topography, age and origin, significant events through geologic time, and special features unique to the region. Also offered as G145DB for credit.
Instructor: Ron Metzger
Location: Itinerary and details sent via email and in Canvas
Cost: $60 (includes transportation; please bring a lunch)
Date: Sat 10/5/24 Time: 7:45am-6pm
G 025AG 65 REGIONAL GEOLOGY – AGNESS DIVIDE FIELD TRIP
A lecture in the field to highlight the significant geologic features of the coast range up and over the Agness Divide and along the Rogue River. Some stop highlights include pillow basalts near Bridge, several stops along the Powers Highway, Daphne Grove Campground, gravel bar on the Rogue River at Lobster Creek and more. The course consists of a field trip arranged to illustrate the geologic setting, stratigraphy and structure, topography, age and origin, significant events through geologic time, and special features unique to the region. Also offered as G145AG for credit.
Instructor: Win McLaughlin
Location: Itinerary and details sent via email and in Canvas
Cost: $60 (includes transportation; please bring a lunch)
Date: Sat 10/12/24 Time: 7:45am-6pm
HST 0212 65 AMERICAN CIVIL WAR STUDIES
Students will examinations specific incidents and personalities in the context of social change during the American Civil War.
Instructor: John Hartman
Location: Eden 1 Cost: $60
Day: Thursday Time:7:00pm-8:20pm
NEW! HM 0203 65 HORSE-GUIDED MINDFULNESS
This adult mindfulness class is supported by interaction with a small herd of horses. Participants will learn mindfulness, leadership, communication, and other personal development skills. Skills are taught and acquired through basic horsemanship. Participants will learn ground safety, grooming, leading, and safe handling. This is a ground work only course and does not guarantee riding or other mounted activities. Mounted activities are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on a variety of factors including participants’ goals, safety, course progress. 18 years and older. Instructor: Caterina Tadlock
Location: Sapphire Farms Cost: $250
89153 Upper Fourmile Lane, Bandon, OR 97411
Days: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12 Time: 1pm-3pm
NEW DATES ADDED: Mondays, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4 Time: 1pm-3pm
CIS 0165 65 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): EMBRACING THE FUTURE TODAY!
This course unlocks the world of tomorrow which is being reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI). Starting with a quick look at the captivating history of AI, you will then learn to harness its power for creative pursuits – from writing, art and music, to transforming your home into a tech utopia, revolutionizing travel, and discovering the impact AI is having on health and longevity. If you’re eyeing the future job market, we’ve got you covered with AI-driven opportunities. This course offers a blend of foundational knowledge, practical applications, and hands-on experiences. At the conclusion, you’ll be equipped to harness the power of AI in various aspects of life and work. Sign up and start shaping your future today!
Instructor: Dr. Alla Sergueeva
Location: Stensland 201 Cost: $50
Day: Thurs Time: 6:00pm-7:20pm
DRIV 0620 65 AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE
This course offers you an important opportunity to learn how to drive more efficiently and safely. The course contains up-to-date information about changes over time in ourselves, our vehicles, and our roads. For more information and to pre-register call 541-305-6454. Cost: AARP members $20, non-members $25, check or cash is payable to AARP at the class.
Location: Lakeview E
Day: Wed 10/16/24 Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
TEAM OREGON: MOTORCYCLE RIDER TRAININGS
DRIV 0622 65 BASIC RIDER TRAINING
Basic Rider Training is a fifteen-hour (three-day) course for novice riders to build fundamental street-riding skills and strategies. Training motorcycles and helmets are provided. For individuals with no riding experience, this is the recommended course. Registration must take place prior to the date of the class at http://team-oregon.org/.
Instructor: Michael Heinen
Location: Newmark 201 Cost: $229
Days: Fri, Sat, Sun 9/20-9/22/24
Times: Fri 5:00pm-8:30pm, Sat 7:00am-4:30pm,
Sun 12:00pm-4:30pm
DRIV 0623 65 INTERMEDIATE RIDER TRAINING
This is an eight-hour course for riders who already know how to get underway, turn, shift and stop a motorcycle or scooter. This one-day course builds fundamental street-riding skills and strategies. Training motorcycles and helmets are provided. For riders with limited riding experience or those who haven’t ridden in some time, IRT is the recommended course. This course meets Oregon’s requirement for riders 21 or older who want to earn a motorcycle endorsement. Registration must take place prior to the date of the class at http://team-oregon.org/.
Instructor: Michael Heinen
Location: Newmark 201 Cost: $199
Day: Sat 9/21/24 Time:7:00am-4:30pm
BOT 0221 65 FUNGAL ECOLOGY
From the forest to the classroom, you will learn to identify common mushrooms in Western Oregon. The main objective is to provide you with a broad overview of this kingdom of organisms. You will be part of robust classroom discussions to learn about fungal diversity, the role of fungi in decomposition, and other roles in the forest and across bioregions. Participate in field trips to learn to identify, harvest, and prepare wild mushrooms, followed with lab identification techniques and an opportunity to taste the culinary value of our region’s wild mushrooms.
Instructor: Micha Silvius
Locations: TBD Cost: $219
Day: Lecture (5) every other Wednesday 9/18-11/15
Time: 5:30pm-7:20pm
Day: Field Trip (4) every other Friday 10/4-11/17
Time: 10:30am-4:00pm
AG 0502 65 GARDENING THE SOUTH COAST
Join us for a fun course focusing on sustainable vegetable production and organic practices for growing and sharing nutritious food. Students will gain hands-on experience. Learn the proper use of tools, harvesting, processing, and preparation of the variety of crops grown on the Southern Oregon Coast. Build healthy soils, season extension techniques, proper pruning and planting times, and selection of seed. Instructor: Maria Farinacci
Location: Sitkum 9 Cost: $200
Day: Tue Time: 1:30pm-4:20pm
Curry Campus In-Person
Instructions on how to register for an in-person Curry Campus community class are found at the top of this page (simply scroll up). Contact us at the Curry Campus directly with any questions at 541-813-1667 or Email.
Interested in teaching a class? These classes are taught by the community, for the community. We welcome new course ideas and enthusiastic instructors! Complete this form and we’ll be in touch.
Cooking
CRT 0107 99 THE MYSTERY OF SOURDOUGH
This two-part class teaches you how to make simple sourdough bread with step-by-step instructions. Learn how and what to feed your starter, how to store it, and what to make with the discard. You’ll leave the class with a sourdough starter and ideas and recipes for utilizing the discard. Please bring a mason jar with lid or sealed container to transport your sourdough starter home. The second part is Sourdough Day – celebrate and share the sourdough you made at home. Bring your bread and something to share (soup, sandwich fixings, salad). Sample breads, share recipes, and ask questions.
Instructor: Karen Perry
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B Cost: $45
Days: Wed 10/2 & 10/16 Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm
Fitness
PE 0227 99 AMERICAN TRIBAL STYLE BELLY DANCE
American Tribal Style belly dance originated in San Francisco in the early 1980s and has become popular all over the world. There are influences from Flamenco, Egyptian belly dance, and ballet. The format is improvisational and involves learning a series of fast and slow moves and is danced in formation with other dancers, led by one dancer in the front. This class will teach those moves and their “cues” and participants will practice and then dance those moves in groups of two to six dancers. The movements in belly dance provide a total body workout, cardio exercise, flexibility and strengthening. It’s joyous, fun and totally addicting! The instructor will provide some hip scarves for class, or students may bring their own.
Instructor: Mariann “Luna” Weed
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B Cost: $85
Day: Thur Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm
PE 0502 99 BETTER BONES AND BALANCE®
Better Bones and Balance® is an exercise program that was developed and tested by researchers at Oregon State University. This program targets strength and balance through key exercises shown to reduce the risk for falls and fractures, and is suitable for ambulatory individuals who are at beginner and intermediate exercise levels. Instructor: Lisa Reed
Location: Langlois Lions Club Cost: $45
Day: Mon, Fri 10/7-11/29 Time: 9:00am-10:20am
PE 0570 99 LOW-IMPACT AEROBICS
This class uses easy-to-follow dance steps and rhythmic movements that are choreographed to upbeat music. It’s a fun way to get moving while improving your cardiovascular system, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and boost your overall fitness level. This is a great class for active seniors no matter your level of fitness. Mats are not supplied and are needed for floor exercises. Instructor: Mary Whitaker
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B Cost: $32
Days: Tue, Thur 10/15-11/26 Time: 8:30am-9:50am
PE 0504 99 TAI CHI
This course in Tai Chi 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). This course is noncompetitive and will start with the basics, and then individuals will progress at their own rate.
Instructor: Deane McConnell
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B Cost: $63
Day: Tue Time: 10:00am-11:20am
PE 0504 98 TAI CHI
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B Cost: $63
Day: Tue Time: 5:30pm-6:50pm
PE 0506 99 YOGA FOR HEALTH
An introduction to the Hatha physical yoga. Includes the background, safety precautions, and value of yoga. Stretching postures, proper breathing techniques, and stress reduction will be emphasized. This course will focus on the health and wellness aspects that are gained in making yoga an integral part of everyday life.
Instructor: Leslie Caswell
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B Cost: $88
Days: Mon, Wed Time: 8:30am-9:50am
PE 0506 98 YOGA FOR HEALTH
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B Cost: $68
Days: Wed Time: 5:30pm-6:50pm
Writing
WR 0100 99 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 story is sure to be something cherished. This course will introduce you to the techniques of writing an autobiography or memoir. 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: Coral Anderson
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B Cost: $70
Days: Mon 9/23-11/4 Time: 6:00pm-7:50pm
WR 0115 99 INTRODUCTION TO GRANT WRITING
This Introduction to Grant Writing course provides a basic understanding of grant writing and the foundations of project development. We will cover how to prepare your organization to apply for grants and identify local sponsors and small grants to consider. The course is open to all but geared toward smaller non-profits.
Instructor: Alisa Green
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B Cost: $75
Days: Sat 10/5 & 10/19 Time: 10:00am-12:50pm
Special Interest
AG 0503 99 WHAT IS AGROECOLOGY?
Living in balance with the planet is ever more critical. Our relationship with our environment takes many forms. One form, agroecology, is a current topic of interest. What is agroecology? What’s the difference between agroecology and all the other similar disciplines, such as permaculture, sustainable agriculture, regenerative agriculture, horticulture, Master Gardener, agroforestry, biodynamic agriculture, biomimicry, and others? The course will provide definitions and descriptions, and put agroecology into a context. Scale will also be discussed – individual vs. community vs. the commercial scale and maintaining local food supply chains. Must be 15 years or older to participate.
Instructor: Linda Pope
Location: Curry Campus Room 206 Cost: $30
Days: Tue 10/1 & 10/8 Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
AG 0504 99 SUSTAINABILITY FOR EVERYONE!
Moving the world toward living sustainably is more and more a critical component of our future. Each small step, each activity, each person makes a difference. This introductory course describes the many facets of the topic and how they may be approached. The concept of restoration is introduced. In the second half of the class, students will play the game Paved Paradise: A Tiny House Ecovillage Board Game (developed by the instructor), played over local maps to ground change in our local environment. Must be 15 years or older to participate.
Instructor: Linda Pope
Location: Curry Campus Room 206 Cost: $30
Days: Tue 10/15 & 10/22 Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
ASL 0501 99 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
Introduces the natural, signed language of American deaf people. Includes instruction in proper sign formation, American Sign Language (ASL) grammar and vocabulary, expressive and receptive skills. Emphasis on history of ASL, the deaf community in North America, and deaf education.
Instructor: Bj Farris
Location: Curry Campus 206 Cost: $115
Days: Tue, Thur Time: 4:00pm-5:20pm
ART 0147 99 COLOR DRAWING
This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of color theory applied to colored pencil and marker drawings. Using elements of design, students will learn to combine different color combinations of the color wheel to produce works that enhance drawing mark-making techniques.
Instructor: Gary Christensen
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B Cost: $90
Day: Mon, Wed Time: 1:00pm-3:20pm
BOT 0224 MUSHROOM IDENTIFICATION
This course instructs students in the identification of local wild mushrooms; their basic characteristics; positive identification of edible and non-edible species; preparation for food; and methods of preserving will be stressed.
Instructor: Bob Burch Cost: $55
BOT 0224 99 Brookings
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B
Day: Lecture Fri 11/15 Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Day: Field Trip Sat 11/16 Time: 9:00am-1:50pm
BOT 0224 98 Port Orford
Location: Port Orford City Hall, Council Chambers
Day: Lecture Sat 11/16 Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm
Day: Field Trip Sun 11/17 Time: 9:00am-1:50pm
Teach A Class
Our vision at Southwestern is to lead and inspire lifelong learning. Do you have a skill, hobby or interest that you would like to share with others? Do you want to offer a course that is going to harness inspiration and give others an opportunity to learn? Does it support personal enrichment, enhance a life skill, or meet a need in our local workforce? Community Classes are taught by people in our community, for our community.
We are always looking for enthusiastic people who want to combine an interest in serving the community with the benefit of supplementing their income. Depending on the class, certification and/or formal education may not be required. The first step is filling out the Adjunct Faculty Community Education/Workforce Development Instructor application.