Personal Enrichment Programs

We invite you to experience enriching short courses and workshops both on and off campus.

Our program hours, fees, and quality instruction make these learning opportunities convenient and affordable for people of all ages. Attend one of our workshops to improve your skills, enrich your life and expand your hobbies.

If you have any questions on the programming, please contact the Office of Continuing Education and Extension at (920) 424-1129 or toll-free at (800) 633-1442. You can also email us at conted@uwosh.edu.

Be sure to check back soon! We're always adding new and exciting opportunities for you to enrich your life.

Getting Started and Basic Digital Photography

Option One:

Option Two:

Become more familiar with your digital camera! In this five-session course you will learn how your camera functions with emphasis on the controls and how you can make your pictures look better by sharpening your visual skills.  You will also learn how to use your computer to view pictures you have taken, use storage devices, organize files and use image-editing software.  Bring your camera and camera connecting cable with you.

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Sports Photography: Football Workshop

Bring your own digital camera for this one-day seminar aimed at shooting sporting events from the sidelines. The morning workshop will be classroom-style exploration of topics including shooting like a pro no matter what type camera you have, equipment to use when shooting sports, lens types, composition and lighting, working in the elements, and proper camera care. There will be an afternoon hands-on opportunity to follow the action and learn field etiquette while we shoot the UW Oshkosh Titan’s football game against WIAC foes, UW-Whitewater – all from the sidelines!

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Sports Photography on the Hardwood

 This one-day seminar is “aimed” at what it’s like to shoot sports on the basketball court.  Bring your own digital camera. The morning workshop will be classroom style and will explore how to shoot like a pro, equipment and lenses for different sports, and how to properly care for your camera. The highlight of the day will be the afternoon’s hands-on opportunity where you will get to follow the action, learn court etiquette and much more. We will head to the UW Oshkosh Kolf Sports Center to shoot the men and women basketball play against UW-Stevens Point.

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Batik and Fabric Design

(*Fee includes lunch and supplies)

Batik is a fascinating craft! Batik translates to "wax written," and participants in this course will write with wax on cloth, which is decoratively dyed. Participants will explore traditional and nontraditional Batik methods, and learn the ancient art with traditional tools. You will complete 2 projects in this one-day workshop. Materials will be provided, but you are welcome to bring a piece of cotton clothing you wish to batik.

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Beginning Sketching and Drawing

If you are a beginner or want to renew your interest in sketching and drawing, this course is for you. The course starts with the basic techniques of sketching and drawing and progresses to applying them to still life composition and portraiture. You will learn to use the different media (pencil, graphite and charcoal) then move up to the study of color with pastels. Explore shapes, values and perspective. You’ll be instructed on how to design good compositions, create complete pictures of interest, experiment with colors and be the art critic. A final end-of-course exercise will include an exhibit, group critique and discussion on how you can move your study to the next level. A list of supplies you will need to purchase will be provided in your confirmation letter.

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Creative Holiday Decorating and Appetizers

Get ready for the holidays by making seasonal decorations out of simple items. Explore your creative spirit, making arrangements that adorn your table, door or mantle. Learn the ultimate in recycling--what you thought was old and spent will become vital and new! Gather new ideas and recipes for your next holiday party. For the final session, bring in your serving pieces and we will style around them by incorporating colors and patterns.

Oct. 20 - “The Artful Eye”- Nurture your creative senses by learning techniques that are simple, clever, and don’t break the budget.  Items that make us re-think the usual and ordinary is creativity at work!  Make seasonal decorations out of the simplest items and turn them into treasures.

Oct. 27- Arrangements that adorn your table, door, or mantle- Explore the beauty that remains after the last flower blooms, the last bean is picked, or the vines have withered and died.  Turn the remaining vestiges of summer into something glorious that takes on a new life--the ultimate in recycling – what is old and spent becomes vital and new!

Nov. 3 - Small bites- Gather some ideas and recipes for your next holiday party that looks like you slaved all day (but didn’t).  Of course, making and tasting is part of the plan!

Nov. 10- The “Wow” factor- The simple art of making it look as good as it tastes. Learn techniques that are easy, quick and make your efforts memorable and a feast for the eyes.  Just for fun, you can bring in some of your serving pieces and we will style around them by incorporating color and pattern--it's the creative process at work!

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Creative Writing

Have you always wanted to write?  Put pencil to paper as we explore a variety of genres, including poetry, fiction and creative non-fiction.  In-class writing exercises will jump-start your creativity.  Class participants will:

• Identify the three cornerstones of creative writing
• Understand the difference between showing and telling
• Describe three common story structures
• Identify three types of creative non-fiction
• Complete at least one piece of creative writing

No previous writing experience is required.

Drawing with Pastels

Discover the joy of drawing with pastels. Pastels offer changeability of form, freedom from erasing and delight in color mixing. With the knowledge of how to use it, participants will create beautiful and dramatic works of art. This class takes the participant from the basics of sketching and mixing colors to creating a completed work. Beginner and intermediate students will quickly learn how to use this medium and experience its richness. A prerequisite to this course is Basic Sketching and Drawing skills.

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Instant Piano for Hopelessly Busy People

If you yearn to experience the joy of playing piano, but you don't want years of weekly lessons, this short course is for you. In just a few hours you can learn enough secrets of the trade to give you years of musical enjoyment. While typical piano lessons teach you note reading, this course teaches piano through chords. Learn all the chords needed to play any pop song in this one session: any song, any style, and any key. Insider secrets and short cuts will be revealed.

This course is for both the basic beginner and the experienced player. If you can find middle-C, you already know enough to enroll in this workshop but some prior keyboard experience is a plus. Your instructor presents information about improvisation that simply isn’t taught anywhere else. A one-hour CD, songbook/workbook, and many more materials are included in the registration fee.

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Mosaic Tile and Glass Design

Learn to create a beautiful mosaic from start to finish in just two classes. Begin with cutting glass and tile, adhering your work to a base and then grouting and sealing it to have a one of a kind art piece. All materials are included but you are welcome to bring something to add to your mosaic.

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Silver Jewelry Making

Learn how most modern jewelry is made.  Participants will learn how to carve wax models, prepare them for casting and centrifugal cast their models into sterling silver.  You will also learn how to build prongs into your settings and learn how to set cabochon cut stones into your pieces.  After the pieces are cast, you will learn how to file, sand, and polish them to a mirror bright finish.  Each participant will complete at least two projects - a ring and a pendant, to keep.  Students will have to pay for the amount of silver that they use.  Class size is limited so please register early to avoid disappointment.

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Telling Your Story

Essays and memoirs are intensely personal and universally understood. In this class, we’ll discuss and analyze examples of excellent essay and memoir writing, including pieces by Michael Perry (Coop; Population 485), Julie Powell (Julie & Julia) and Pulitzer Prize winner J.R. Moehringer (The Tender Bar). We’ll also put pen to paper as we search for the elusive truth and reveal universal themes.

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Watercolors for Beginners

Learn to express yourself in the wonderful medium of watercolor.  Painting, like most endeavors is a process – a new set of tools, techniques and vocabulary to master.  In this five session course you will learn and practice basic techniques for applying watercolor paint to create beautiful textures and rich, colorful washes.  A list of supplies you will need to purchase will be included in your confirmation letter.

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Ballroom Dance

Option One:

Option Two:

Have fun while gaining dance floor confidence. Ballroom dancing incorporates exercise for the body and the brain.  Beginner and intermediate ballroom dance students will learn the basic dance patterns of the smooth dances, including the foxtrot, tango and waltz.  Material will include developing a strong frame, transitioning from open to closed dance position, proper footwork and musicality.  Each dance session will include simple warm-up steps, a brief history and background of the creation and development of ballroom dance, and frequent review and practice.  Ballroom dance is a great way to meet people and make new friends.   You are encouraged to register with a partner, however partners are not mandatory. Wear casual, comfortable clothing and shoes. We also suggest you bring a water bottle.

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Beginner Clogging

Clogging is an American folk dance of individual expression.  This percussive dance with rapid-fire footwork having double taps on the toe and heel, creates loud, rhythmic tapping sounds. The dance is performed to a wide variety of pop, rock, doo-wop, country, bluegrass, jazz and just about any other style of music.  Adults and youth 5 years and up are welcome.  Clogging shoes are not necessary to start with but a smooth sole shoe is recommended for ease in performing the steps.  Wear cool, comfortable clothing and bring a water bottle.  The last night of class will include a performance and short graduation.  Come and join us to learn this fun and exciting dance form!

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Latin Dance

Are you looking for a social activity that will allow you to get and stay trim? Have fun while gaining dance floor confidence. Latin dance students will be instructed in the Cha-Cha, Rumba, and Salsa. Each dance session will include simple warm-up steps, a brief history and background of the creation and development of Latin dance, dance step instruction, and frequent review and practice.  Latin dance is a great way to meet people and make new friends. You are encouraged to register with a partner, however partners are not mandatory.  Wear casual and comfortable clothing and shoes. We also suggest you bring a water bottle.

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 Swing Dance

Learn to dance swing to a variety of tempos and songs.  This is an easy-to-learn four-week dance series.  When you and your dance partner have completed these classes you will have a swing routine that is guaranteed to make you look good on the dance floor!  Partners are mandatory.  Wear casual and comfortable clothing and shoes. We also suggest you bring a water bottle.

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Zumba

A new trend in high-energy aerobic dance, Zumba is a fusion of Latin and international music that creates a dynamic, exciting and effective fitness program. A Zumba workout mixes body-sculpting movements with dance steps. No previous dance experience is necessary. It’s exercise in disguise. Have fun dancing and exercising to achieve long-term health benefits.

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Basic Spanish

Basic Spanish is the perfect class to begin learning Spanish for conversations, travel or recreation. Basic grammar and essential vocabulary will be taught in an informal setting and the students are encouraged to participate and practice the new contents focusing on real-life situations. You will need to purchase the textbook: Hola, ¿qué tal?, 2010 Spanish Conversation for Beginners by Deana Alonso. The book is complete and will be useful even beyond the class.

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Intermediate Spanish

If you want to continue and improve your previous knowledge of Spanish, this class is for you.  Participants will develop a better communication in Spanish through vocabulary, grammar and conversation in a dynamic and integrated way.  You will also learn cultural aspects of the Hispanic world by selected video and audio materials.  You will need to purchase the same textbook we use in Basic Spanish; Hola, ¿qué tal?, 2010  - Spanish Conversation for Beginners by Deana Alonso.

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The Mysteries and Wonders of Scotland and England

From ancient Stonehenge to the most modern of engineering wonders, experience the lands and wonders of Scotland and England. We will cover the areas of London, Cambridge, York (old, not new!), Edinburgh, Stirling and more. Plus we can’t forget Loch Ness and the legend of Nessie, museums that draw you into the past with re-created worlds left behind centuries ago, and castles that stir the soul and spark the imagination. All of this and more – based on faculty-led tours from UW-Oshkosh.

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Discover the Mysteries and Wonders of Scotland and London

Save the Date!

Join us for a discovery journey. Spend about 16 days traveling the stunning regions and sightseeing the wonders of London and Scotland.

Visit the most famous destinations in London, including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abby. Join King Henry VIII for a medieval banquet and theater themed entertainment. Travel to Stonehenge and Shakespeare’s Globe museum. Lastly, visit the Portobello Road Market for a day of shopping.

Then travel to Scotland and see Edinburg’s Old and New Towns.Visit the Royal Mile, the Edinburgh Castle and Palace Holyrood. Of course, no visit to Scotland would be complete without visiting Nessie, the famous Loch Ness monster. You will also visit the Rosslyn Chapel, the setting of The Da Vinci Code.

The UW Oshkosh Office of Continuing Education and Extension will distribute fees and more information as they are confirmed. If you would like to receive a brochure when completed, please contact our office with your mailing address.

Online registration is coming soon.

Paralegal – ONLINE Certificate Program

Is The Paralegal Career Right For You? Free
Paralegal, legal assistant and lawyer’s assistant are all titles used interchangeably to describe individuals who work with attorneys and other law professionals. Learn about our Paralegal Certificate Program in this free, online information seminar. Click here to learn more about our online Paralegal Certificate Program. 

Paralegal Research (7 weeks) $195
This course presents an overview of entry-level paralegal research and writing tools. Learn to write an office legal memo using legal techniques and current rules of law, applying the same to support a conclusion based upon the IRAC reasoning technique.

Paralegal Jurisprudence (7 weeks) $195
This course presents an overview of the paralegal profession including many of the popular entry-level areas of legal specialization like family, corporate, probate, real estate and many others. 

Paralegal Litigation (7 weeks) $195
This course presents an overview of litigation and trial support used by entry-level paralegals in daily procedural work.  

Paralegal Management (7 weeks) $195
This course is an overview of the paralegal office manager at work.
 
Paralegal Career (7 weeks) $195
This course presents an overview of paralegal job search and portfolio methods and will help you identify special legal skills that are part of your niche in the paralegal market.

Click here to register...