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.
Summer term classes start Monday, June 24, 2024.
REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER TERM COMMUNITY EDUCATION CLASSES OPENS MAY 24, 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
Fitness & Recreation
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. It’s a way of mixing body sculpting movements with easy-to-follow dance steps. Inspired by Latin dance and music, Zumba® uses a variety of Latin styles in its routines, including cumbia, merengue, salsa, reggaeton, as well as American styles like swing and hip hop. Music selections include both fast and slow rhythms to help tone and sculpt the body.
Instructor: Tina Woodworth
Location: Rec Center 131
Cost: $69
Days: Mon, Wed
Time: 5:20pm-6:10pm
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: Rec Center 121
Cost: $77
Days: Tue, Thur
Time: 12:00pm-12:50pm
Dates: 6/25-7/11 and 7/30-8/29
No Class: 7/15-7/28
NEW! PE 0204 65 ISRAELI FOLK DANCING
This is a class for people who want to learn the basic steps used in Israeli folk dance and a variety of dances for beginners. No partner is necessary, although I do include a handful of couple dances in the repertoire.
Instructor: Stacy Rose
Location: Rec Center 131
Cost: $85
Day: Wed
Time: 7:00pm-8:45pm
PE 0507 65 YOGA – Beginning
Stay in yoga practice for flexibility, strength, balance. Safe, gentle class, keeping awareness on breath, while releasing stress and tension. Yoga mats, yoga blocks, yoga straps, and foam rollers are not provided. Patrons may bring their own for use.
Instructor: Linda Laverty
Location: Rec Center 125
Cost: $60
Day: Wed
Time: 1:00pm-2:15pm
Special Interest
DRIV 0622 65 BASIC RIDER TRAINING
Basic Rider Training is a 15-hour (3-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: Sat 6/29 Time: 7:00am-4:30pm
Sun 6/30 Time: 12:00pm-4:30pm
DRIV 0623 65 INTERMEDIATE RIDER TRAINING
Intermediate Rider Training is an eight-hour (1 day) course for riders who already know how to get underway, turn, shift and stop a motorcycle or scooter while strengthening fundamental street-riding skills. Training motorcycles and helmets are provided. 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 6/29 Time: 7:00am-4:30pm
DRIV 0620 65 AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE
This course offers you the 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. The content of this course can help boost safety awareness, refresh and improve driving skills, minimize crash risk, increase confidence, prolong mobility, and maintain independence. Completion of this one-day six-hour driving refresher course can yield discounted auto insurance premiums for individuals. To pre-register call 503-964-5840.
Instructor: Robert Pfenning
Location: Eden 1
Day: Wed 7/17 Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Cost: AARP members $20, non-members $25, check or cash is payable to AARP at the class.
NEW! 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 discover 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: Thur 6/27-8/15
Time: 6:00pm-7:30pm
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
NEW! CRT 0180 99 WALK THROUGH THE ROOTS OF LATIN AMERICA!
Join Chef Monica Almond and learn how spices, fruits and grains give dishes their unique character throughout different cultures! Enjoy a menu rich with complex flavors and visual appeal.
• Guatemalan Pepian de Indio. This succulent chicken stew brings to the palate a bouquet of fresh ground spices with a delightful, toasted, nutty flavor and aroma.
• Experience Uruguay with the evocative flavor of cacao nibs in a green, healthy, and colorful citrus salad.
• Bolivian Quinoa Cake with almonds and carrots is delicious, gluten free, and has the heavenly flavor and aroma of nutmeg.
Chef Monica Almond was born and raised in Peru and is a graduate of Southwestern’s Oregon Coast Culinary Institute (OCCI). She has taught classes since 2009 including at OCCI, the Finley Center in Santa Rosa, the Eureka and Arcata Co-ops, the Ukiah Co-op, Sonoma County Library Cloverdale branch, and at Terra Savia Winery where she is currently the chef.
Instructor: Chef Monica Almond
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B
Cost: $120 per/person
Day: Tue 7/30
Time: 2:30pm-6:30pm
CRT 0170 99 EASY COOKING REFRESHER
Learn simple ways to cook for yourself or share with a friend. Each week, learn one new recipe for either lunch, dinner, or dessert, to fix with minimal effort. Gluten- free, dairy-free, and vegetarian alternatives will be discussed. This is an interactive class where you will prep and eat to sample your skills. This three-week class will prepare the following recipes.
• Week 1 – Avocado & Egg Salad, Cheese Biscuits.
• Week 2 – Casseroles – Using meat, pasta, and cheese. Optional add-ins will be discussed.
• Week 3 – Magic Cookie Bars.
Instructor Melanie Lavering has taught cooking as part of Adult Life Skills classes in public schools in California. She retired to Brookings after 35 years of teaching and wants to give back to the community.
Instructor: Melanie Lavering
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B
Cost: $70
Day: Wed 7/24-8/7
Time: 3:00pm-5:30pm
Fitness
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 0570 99 LOW-IMPACT AEROBICS
This low-impact Aerobics 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, and boosting your overall fitness level. This is a great class for active seniors no matter your level of fitness. You are encouraged to work at your own fitness level and to modify moves based on your fitness needs. Mats are not supplied and are needed for floor exercises.
Instructor: Mary Whitaker
Location: Curry Campus 138A/B
Cost: $63
Days: Tue, Thur
Time: 8:30am-9:50am
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: $89
Day: Mon, Fri
Time: 9:00am-10:20am
NEW! PE 0227 99 AMERICAN TRIBAL STYLE BELLY DANCE
American Tribal Style belly dance, also known as ATS, 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 also builds camaraderie, confidence, and communication between the dancers. It’s joyous, fun and totally addicting! The instructor will provide some hip scarves for class, or students may bring their own. Those who wish to learn Tribal ‘zils (finger cymbals) will need to purchase them online. Mariann Luna Weed has 20 years of belly dance training and performance with Black Sheep Belly Dance, American Tribal Style Belly Dance and Moon Dancer Troup.
Instructor: Mariann “Luna” Weed
Location: Curry Campus 137A/B
Cost: $85
Day: Thur
Time: 5:30pm-6:20pm
Writing
ENG 0150 99 WHAT MAKES A GOOD STORY
Whether a seasoned, aspiring, or novice writer, you will learn basic writing techniques and untangle the mysteries that make a story come alive! You take home a first chapter that will have you hungry to write the next chapter and the next, and the next! Most importantly, you will walk away with a confidence that your fears and doubts have vanished. In their place, you will have gained a priceless gift of courage to write your story and maybe even change the world!
Instructor: Judy Howard
Location: Curry Campus Room 109
Cost: $50
Day: Wed 6/26-7/24
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Special Interest
NEW! AG 0506 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. Choose from one of two stand-alone sessions offered afternoon and evening. Must be 15 years or older to participate.
Instructor: Linda Pope
Location: Curry Campus Room 206
Cost: $30 per session
AG 0506 99 Thur 7/11 Time: 4:00-8:00pm
AG 0506 98 Tue 7/30 Time: 1:00-5:00pm
NEW! AG 0505 LIFE AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Without photosynthesis there is no life. The course describes the necessity of photosynthesis and the many steps required to change energy from the sun into the sugar molecules that sustain both plants and animals. It also outlines the role photosynthesis has played in the past to provide sources of energy for civilizations, and the various hopes there are for a new envisioned future. Two board games are played to experience the photosynthetic processes. Choose from one of two stand-alone sessions offered afternoon and evening. Must be 15 years or older to participate.
Instructor: Linda Pope
Location: Curry Campus Room 206
Cost: $30 per session
AG 0505 99 Mon 8/5 Time:1:00-5:00pm
AG 0505 98 Thur 8/15 Time: 4:00-8:00pm
NEW! AG 0504 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. Choose from one of two stand-alone sessions offered afternoon and evening. Must be 15 years or older to participate.
Instructor: Linda Pope
Location: Curry Campus Room 206
Cost: $30 per session
AG 0504 99 Thur 6/27 Time: 1:00-5:00pm
AG 0504 98 Tue 7/23 Time: 4:00-8:00pm
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.
