Extended Studies offers exciting opportunities to discover new passions and gain new skills. Our experiential learning programs extend beyond typical educational courses, allowing you to learn the kinds of adaptable skills that will serve you for a lifetime.
Courses
Spring 2021 Catalog Policies
- Extended Studies and their instructors reserve the right to move any course listed in the Spring 2021 Catalog to an online format at any time before the start of or during the course due to COVID concerns.
- Extended Studies reserves the right to cancel classes and to make changes when warranted. Participants will be notified if classes are cancelled and will receive a full refund for classes.
- Drops from a course will result in a refund if they occur prior to the week before the start date (unless otherwise specified). Non-attendance or non-payment does not constitute a drop. All drop requests must be in writing to the Extended Studies Office.
- The following information pertains to Western’s Extended Studies policies and procedures that affect enrollment in Extended Studies courses. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with these policies, and unless otherwise specified, they apply to all programs and courses. In order to be dropped from a course at no charge, an individual must notify the Extended Studies office, in writing, of the cancellation at least a week prior to the course beginning. Emergency situations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
INTRODUCTION TO MODERN CALLIGRAPHY-$30 +$42 Material Fee
Instructor: Ciera Freson
Date: 02/17
Day: Wednesday
Time: 6:00-9:00PM
Discover how to use a dip pen and nib for modern calligraphy and create beautiful and consistent handwriting every time. No need to be the arty type either. This course will set you off learning all the skills behind modern calligraphy.
RAPTOR ECOLOGY
NON-CREDIT, $90
Instructor: Jeffrey J. Ewert
Date: Class- 03/01-04/19 *no class 03/15*
Field Trips- TBD
Days: Class- Mondays, Field Trips-TBD
Time: Class- 6:00-8:00PM
Students study the anatomy, physiology, morphology, and field identification of major Colorado raptors (Birds of Prey). This includes lectures of key points of major raptor groups: Falcons, Accipiters, Buteos, other occasional species, and some select common owl species. Through both lectures and observations, each student learns to identify raptors, raptor habitat, and niche. Students also learn how to properly record field observations in a field notebook as a part of the class requirements.
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
NON-CREDIT, $115
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 01/13-03/03
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 4:00-5:00PM
As the language most used in the Deaf community, this class is a foreign language class offering a thorough introduction to American Sign Language (ASL). The class is made up of a series of weekly lessons, practice sessions and community visits/outings to learn basic sign vocabulary. Come enjoy learning about the different grammatical structure of ASL, some fingerspelling and an introduction to the culture of deaf people. The class will be taught using ASL through activities and conversation. It will include interaction with Deaf individuals for real time conversation as well. Students who are studying to enter the field of education can benefit greatly from this class as relates to the other applied uses of a signed language with children and people with certain other disabilities.
DISSOLVE STRESS AND TENSION WHILE BOOSTING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM-$52/Session
Instructor: Sherrill Stenson
Date: Session 1:01/07-01/28, Session 2:02/04-02/25, Session 3:03/04-04/01, Session 4:04/08-04/29
Day: Thursdays
Time: 5:30-6:30PM
Location: Western Colorado University Taylor Hall 117 Yoga Room
This enjoyable yoga practice will ease your body into a relaxed state of health and flexibility. Sherrill’s gentle teaching style reveals her warmth and compassionate presence and is reflective of her twenty-three years teaching experience.
SENIOR YOGA-$52/Session
Instructor: Sherrill Stenson
Date: Session 1:01/07-01/28, Session 2:02/04-02/25, Session 3:03/04-04/01, Session 4:04/08-04/29
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:00-11:00AM
Location: Western Colorado University Taylor Hall 117 Yoga Room
Study this gentle therapeutic approach to help students guide their bodies into a state of ease and balance. Using simple movement, breathwork, and imagery, this yoga class eases pain and renews strength. Your instructor has 25 years of yoga teaching experience and is a Yoga of the Heart Certified instructor.
SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS-$115
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 01/13-03/03
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 5:15-6:30PM
This 8-session class is an introduction to the Spanish language. It introduces students to basic vocabulary and conversation with other adults in an active and fun learning environment. It is designed for the beginner second language learner who has never studied Spanish or wants to review from the very basics. The class includes activities, speaking practice and some homework assignments. Opportunities for interaction with native speakers may take place. No text required; hand-outs will be used. A dictionary is not required but helpful: University of Chicago Spanish/English Dictionary available at the Bookworm.
SPANISH FOR BEGINNERS: Crested Butte- $115
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 01/12-03/02
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 5:15-6:30PM
Location: Crested Butte Community School
This 8-session class is an introduction to the Spanish language. It introduces students to basic vocabulary and conversation with other adults in an active and fun learning environment. It is designed for the beginner second language learner who has never studied Spanish or wants to review from the very basics. The class includes activities, speaking practice and some homework assignments. Opportunities for interaction with native speakers may take place. No text required; hand-outs will be used. A dictionary is not required but helpful: University of Chicago Spanish/English Dictionary available at the Bookworm.
SPANISH FOR ADVANCED BEGINNERS- $115
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 01/13-03/03
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 6:45-8:00PM
This 8-session class is for advanced beginners and intermediate Spanish Language Learners interested in reviewing and expanding their vocabulary, gaining a greater understanding of grammar, speaking conversationally with other adults in an active and fun learning environment. The class includes activities, speaking practice and some homework assignments. Opportunities for interaction with native speakers may take place. No text required; hand-outs will be used. A dictionary is not required but helpful: University of Chicago Spanish/English Dictionary available at the Bookworm.
SPANISH FOR ADVANCED BEGINNERS: Crested Butte- $115
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 01/12-03/02
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 6:45-8:00PM
Location: Crested Butte Community School
This 8-session class is for advanced beginners and intermediate Spanish Language Learners interested in reviewing and expanding their vocabulary, gaining a greater understanding of grammar, speaking conversationally with other adults in an active and fun learning environment. The class includes activities, speaking practice and some homework assignments. Opportunities for interaction with native speakers may take place. No text required; hand-outs will be used. A dictionary is not required but helpful: University of Chicago Spanish/English Dictionary available at the Bookworm.
CONTINUING SPANISH FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATES- $85
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 03/24-04/28
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 6:45-8:00PM
Location: Taylor Hall 228
This 6 session class is for advanced beginners and intermediate Spanish Language Learners interested in reviewing and expanding their vocabulary, gaining a greater understanding of grammar, speaking conversationally with other adults in an active and fun learning environment. The class includes activities, speaking practice and some homework assignments. Opportunities for interaction with native speakers may take place. Participants in courses from earlier this winter are encouraged to continue. No text required; some hand-outs will be used. A dictionary is not required but helpful: University of Chicago Spanish/English Dictionary available at the Bookworm or www.spanishdict.com.
CONTINUING SPANISH FOR ADVANCED BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATES: Crested Butte- $85
Instructor: Karen Immerso
Date: 03/23-04/27
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 6:45-8:00PM
Location: Crested Butte Community School
This 6 session class is for advanced beginners and intermediate Spanish Language Learners interested in reviewing and expanding their vocabulary, gaining a greater understanding of grammar, speaking conversationally with other adults in an active and fun learning environment. The class includes activities, speaking practice and some homework assignments. Opportunities for interaction with native speakers may take place. Participants in courses from earlier this winter are encouraged to continue. No text required; some hand-outs will be used. A dictionary is not required but helpful: University of Chicago Spanish/English Dictionary available at the Bookworm or www.spanishdict.com.
History of the Crested Butte Area with Duane Vandenbusche
Date: 01/28/21-4/15/21
Time: 7:00-8:30PM
Location: Zoom – online
Join Colorado State Historian Dr. Duane Vandenbusche and the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum for a 12-part online series about the history of Crested Butte. This series is held every Thursday at 7 pm beginning January 28th through April 15th. Sessions cover the exciting history of the Elk Mountains, Crested Butte, water, gold mining, the age of immigration, early days of skiing, narrow-gauge railroads, great nearby silver camps, coal mining, ranching, and polka music. Thank you to our sponsors WCU Alumni Association, Bluebird Real Estate, and Bill Petross for supporting this program.
The event is free but donations are appreciated and will go towards paying the costs associated with hosting this webinar series and to our general operating fund.
Register here: https://crestedbuttemuseum.com/event/history-of-the-crested-butte-area-with-duane-vandenbusche/
BEGINNER GUITAR-$225
Instructor: Jesse Irons
Date: 01/28– 03/11
Day: Thursdays
Time: 5:00 – 6:00PM
Materials: The Guitar Handbook is highly recommended. Student must provide their own guitar.
Want to learn to play Guitar? Designed for beginners only, this class starts with the basics and educates students about the history of the guitar and its diverse styles of music. The class smoothly transitions into learning how to play the guitar. Basic music theory principles are taught and students are shown how to apply them to the guitar. Students also learn how to tune the guitar, play chords and get their hands and fingers comfortable with actual guitar playing. Participants also learn strumming patterns, how to read fake sheets, music tablature, and start playing songs.
INTERMEDIATE GUITAR-$225
Instructor: Jesse Irons
Date: 01/28 – 03/11
Day: Thursdays
Time: 6:30 – 7:30PM
Materials: The Guitar Handbook is highly recommended. Student must provide their own guitar.
Can you play a little guitar? Want to learn more? This class helps students progress in that endeavor. Students learn open position chords, key signatures, strumming patterns, barre chords, hammer-on/pull-offs and using a capo. The course then focuses on scales, chord structures (root, 3rd, 5th), major and minor as well as extensions (7th, 9th, etc.). Progressions and theory are discussed. Students must have some previous guitar experience.
ADVANCED GUITAR/BASS: MODEL THEORY AND IMPROVISATION-$225
Instructor: Jesse Irons
Date: 01/28 – 03/11
Day: Thursdays
Time: 7:30 – 8:30PM
Materials: The Guitar Handbook is highly recommended. Student must provide their own guitar.
Do you want to expand your musical knowledge and technique? This class will focus on the art of improvisation as well as advanced theory and technique. Topics include; modes, legato, tapping, sweep arpeggios, speed picking, harmonics and more. Students must have a solid grasp of the instrument. Bass guitarists are welcome, electric instruments preferred.
WEST AFRICAN DANCE-$110
Instructor: Etienne Tolno
Date: 4/02-4/30
Day: Fridays
Time: 5:30-7:00PM
Come embark on a cultural immersion experience with Etienne Tolno from Guinea, West Africa. Learn traditional dances, songs and rhythms and enjoy learning about the roots of music as it pertains to the djembe hub of the world. This is a full body learning experience all levels welcome!
GRANT WRITING AND FUNDING SOURCES-$90
Instructor: Maryo Ewell
Date: 02/16-03/02
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 6:00-8:30PM
Take the mystery out of grant writing! In this course, students are given what they need to prepare an effective project grant proposal for a nonprofit organization. Participants learn how to research funding sources, incorporate the reality of the impact of COVID on grantsmanship, write an effective project grant proposal and budget, and recognize the vocabulary of grant writing.
*Course is full and no longer open for registration
CRAFT YOUR BIO-$70
Instructor: Molly Murfee
Date: 04/07-04/17
Days: Wednesdays
Time: 5:30-8:30PM
Location: Zoom- online platform
Get ready for the summer season and the increased web traffic of the times by crafting a compelling bio for use with websites, brochures, publications and other venues. Through instruction, guidance, exploratory creative exercises and research on existing effective and inspirational biographies, participants workshop aspects of their career into a cohesive and effective bio expressing their personal and professional endeavors. Supportive peer review from instructor and fellow participants provides valuable feedback. Additionally, learn basic requirements for choosing quality and size-appropriate photos for both digital and print outlets. Participants leave the workshop with a completed bio.
GROWING FOOD IN A COLD CLIMATE
Instructor: Susan Wyman
LEADERSHIP AT THE EDGE: ADVANCED LEADERSHIP PRACTICES FOR COLLABORATION AND INNOVATION
CREDIT: ROE 510: 1 Credit, $165+ $200 Course Fee
NON-CREDIT: $200 Course Fee
Instructor: Paul Duba, MPA, PCC, ACC
Date: 04/15-5/20
Days: Thursdays
Time: 8:00-11:00AM
Location: Zoom- online platform
Leadership is a practice that requires the courage to ask others to imagine a different future with you. Sometimes the future is easy, a matter of helping others make progress toward reliable results through practiced execution. But for problems without easy answers, leadership requires us to help others commit to a path of discovery, an invitation to join in collaboration and innovation, where curiosity and being “OK not knowing” are important steps along the way to new knowing. Leadership at the Edge is a course for those who want to understand this road less travelled; what leaders do (and teams need) to reach for breakthrough results. This course is hands-on, highly experiential, and built to help you grow your practice, enabling you to more
INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING-$90
Instructor: Jeffrey J. Ewert
Date: 04/06-04/27
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 5:30-7:30PM
Materials: Students should bring their own fly rod and reel, some rods are made available.
Learn the basic fundamentals of fly-fishing including equipment, rods, rod weights, line types, leaders, tippets, flies, and accessories. Learn the value and application of using waders, polarized sunglasses, vests, etc. Learn the use of all this equipment, including an emphasis on casting instruction, application and types of flies and knots, as well as reading waters for trout with emphasis on presentation to enable the student to begin to fly fish successfully on local waters. This enables the student to practice the art of fly fishing in some of the West’s best fly-fishing waters right here in the Gunnison basin!
Crested Butte Book Club: Diverse Learners-Race, Culture & Inequality
EDUC 510 1 CREDIT, $100
Instructor: Stephanie Niemi
Date: October 22, 2020 – May 6, 2021
Day: Thursdays
Time: 5:30PM-8:30PM
Location: Google Meet-Virtual
Required text: The Broken Ladder, The New Jim Crow, Enrique’s Journey (CBCS has copies of Enrique’s Journey)
Students will read three books covering topics about inequality and race: The Broken Ladder, The New Jim Crow, and Enrique’s Journey. Topics will include racial and economic inequality, the criminal justice system, and immigration. During each discussion session, students will discuss educational strategies to best support students and systemic strategies to improve our school.
Additional Information
Extended Studies reserves the right to cancel classes and to make changes when warranted. Participants will be notified if classes are cancelled and will receive a full refund.
Drops from a course will result in a refund if they occur prior to the week before the start date (unless otherwise specified). Non-attendance or non-payment does not constitute a drop. All drop requests must be in writing to the Extended Studies Office.
The following information pertains to Western’s Extended Studies policies and procedures that affect enrollment in Extended Studies courses. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with these policies, and unless otherwise specified, they apply to all programs and courses. In order to be dropped from a course at no charge, an individual must notify the Extended Studies office, in writing, of the cancellation at least a week prior to the course beginning. Emergency situations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Join Duane Vandenbusche for a Gunnison Country Webinar Series at 7:00PM, every Thursday evening, beginning July 2nd, 2020. The series is sponsored by the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum. Each lecture will be 35 minutes in length and the first, on July 2nd, will be covering Crested Butte. Other lectures will include ranching, the Black Canyon, early day skiing, coal mining, narrow gauge railroads, the great silver camps, farming, water and Placer gold mining.
Please go to crestedbuttemuseum.com to register for the FREE webinar.
Outdoor Programs
Fuel your passion for the outdoors.
Extended Studies gives you the opportunity to earn credit while participating in valuable learning opportunities provided by our contract partners. You can embark on field expeditions, explore new cultures, attend leadership trainings and acquire new certifications.
Rising to the Occasion
Student Tanner Saucerman ascends to the summit of Mt. Henry on a hike lead by Instructor Paul Tame.
International Education
Become a student and citizen of the world.
Explore our extensive network of programs and partnerships that will provide you with opportunities to learn around the world. Take courses abroad to learn new skills and study diverse cultures. Meet people from other countries, learn new customs—maybe even a new language—all while earning credit toward your degree.
Global impact
Energy Management students install solar panels in Peru during an international education course.
Mapping the future
Lake Fork Valley Conservancy president, Harvey DuChene, shows students around Lake City’s newest river protection projects.
Online Course Center
Develop professional skills from anywhere.
In partnership with ed2go, Western offers online open enrollment programs designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional level positions for many in-demand occupations. Designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, our instructor-facilitated, web-based learning programs can be taken from the comfort of your home or office at times that are convenient for you.
Remote connections
Our extensive online course offerings allow students to work anywhere there is an Internet connection.
Gain the knowledge and skills you need to excel.
Career Step is a leading online education company focused on the allied healthcare market. They specialize in medical transcription and editing, and medical coding and billing training.
The Career Step online training courses have been developed in conjunction with industry experts and employers and are designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in your chosen career. We offer both full career training programs and smaller continuing education and skill development courses. Each program requires approximately 640 hours of coursework. Students have one year to complete the coursework at their own pace. There is an option for a four-month extension, if needed, for an extra fee.
Get a step ahead
Career Step has trained more than 50,000 students and made more than 700 placements with companies.
Wednesdays at Western
Join us for outdoor adventures during Wednesdays at Western.
Explore the trails and mountains around the Gunnison area mountain while learning about the area from local guides and experts. These hikes not only take participants into beautiful wilderness settings, but also teach backcountry skills and natural history along the way.
Explore and learn
Wednesdays at Western are opportunities for students to explore our extraordinary surroundings while learning skills and natural history along the way.
Teach A Course
Teach a course through Extended Studies at Western.
Extended Studies offers a wide variety of courses throughout the year, ranging from writing, yoga, computers, business and professional classes. Fall courses begin in September and spring courses begin in February. In the summer, courses are part of the Summer Teacher Institute.
If you would like to teach a noncredit course in the fall or the spring, please submit your course proposal using the “New Course Proposal” form. Return this completed form to Anne Chavez, Program Manager, by email to archavez@western.edu. Please email Anne to discuss new community interest course ideas. In addition to the form, be sure to include your resume and transcript and/or any certifications that will show your qualifications for subject matter. Instructors who have already had a course approved and would like to offer it again should complete the “Repeat Course Form” for each catalog in they wish to offer their course.
Please make sure your forms are complete with all requested information and attachments or catalog inclusion is not guaranteed.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Courses by non-Western faculty to who desire to offer undergraduate credit to current Western students are not available for new set up through Extended Studies.
If you would like to teach a 500-level non-degree seeking graduate level course or offer an off-campus undergraduate course for credit, please email Kirky Lokie, Director of Extended Studies to discuss your course and for more information. Kirky can be reached at klokie@western.edu. You may submit your graduate level course proposal using the “Graduate Credit Course Proposal” form. For undergraduate level off-campus courses, please use the “Special Programs Course Proposal” form.
If you would like to discuss a new course idea in person, please send us an email message with a brief description of what you would like to teach and we can set up a time to meet to find if it will be a good fit. We look forward to hearing from you!
Department Information
Extended Studies
Department Director
Kirky SwiftDirector of Extended Studies
Program Assistant
Deanna ClarkProgram Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 303
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
Take the Next Step
Apply to Western
We understand that applying to a university can be daunting, which is why we make our admission process as simple and straightforward as possible. Learn more about applying to your program of choice at Western.