Communiversity Classes
Area Course Index • Alphabetical Course Index • Calendar Course Index
General Information • Meet the Instructors
Calendar Course Index
Contact Mollie Gratz at (662)-690-6205 or mmgratz@olemiss.edu for more information or to register for Communiversity classes.
Computers for Beginners - Level I
Does the thought of operating a computer have you thinking about a system meltdown--yours, the computer’s, or both! Not to worry—this beginning, hands-on course will teach participants the principles of computing and internet navigation in a comfortable learning environment and at a comfortable pace, as well. This class will give you the confidence to boot up a computer and easily operate a keyboard and mouse. If you have little or no computer experience, this class is the one for you! Choose from one of the following sessions:
Date: Monday, September 29
Deadline to Register: September 24
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m..
Fee: $25 member/ $35 nonmember
Instructor: Steve Vallarian
Location: UM-Tupelo, Room 202
Introduction to Japanese Language and Culture
Learn basic Japanese conversational skills beyond sushi and sayonara! Interactive lessons will introduce students to common greetings, basic vocabulary, and Japanese customs. Understanding Japanese culture is a very important tool for using the language correctly. A brief introduction to writing in Japanese will also be presented. This class welcomes all members from the community. CEUs available for an additional fee. Students must attend all sessions to be eligible for CEUs.
Date: Thursdays, October 2 – October 30
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Deadline to Register: September 26
Fee: $75
Location: UM-Tupelo, Room 102
Instructor: Mieko Kikuchi and Alison Goodman
T’ai Chi Chih
Enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits of T’ai Chi Chih, including effects on blood pressure, weight control, physical energy, and health and wellbeing. It is not a martial art, is easy to learn regardless of age, and does not require physical fitness or coordination. Come and be a part of this soothing class.
Date: Thursday, October 2 – November 20
Deadline to Register: September 26
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Fee: $85
Location: UM–Tupelo, Dining Room
Instructor: Ron Richardson
Introduction to MS Office – Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Learn how to use the MS Office suite to your advantage. Whether for personal use or business use, participants will be confident of their skills in any of these Office family products after this class. Lunch break provided.
Date: Saturday, October 4
Time: 9:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: October 1
Fee: $50
Location: UM–Tupelo, Room 202
Instructor: Greg Davis
Falling for Soup Cooking Class
What better to do in the fall than to prepare a nice pot of soup to help ease the chill on crisp fall day. Join Jody Lehman owner, of A Cook’s Place and take the chill off by preparing and cooking a variety of soups fit for all this fall season. During this hands on class, students will prepare and cook the delicious and delectable following soups Posole, Chicken Tortilla, Pumpkin Soup atop with Cran-Apple relish.
Date: Thursday, October 9
Deadline to Register: October 6
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Fee: $45
Location: A Cook’s Place; 134 South Industrial Road, Tupelo
Instructor: Jody Lehman
Ace the ACT!
Session I is Full.
Ace the ACT! Is a one-day course designed to teach students key strategies in taking the American College Test (ACT). The class includes helpful hints in how to take the test (and most standardized tests) by reviewing all sections tested and key math formulas used most often on the ACT. Participants should bring a pencil and a desire to improve their scores. This class usually fills several weeks before the actual class date so hurry, don’t be late, register now! Limited enrollment of 25.
Date for Session I: Saturday, October 11
Deadline to Register: October 7
Date for Session II: Saturday, December 6
Deadline to Register:December 2
Time 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Fee: $40
Instructor: Len Blanton
Location: UM-Tupelo, Room 206
Computers for Beginners – Level II
If you have completed the first Computers for Beginners class or already know a little bit about computers, this class will take you to the next level. This class is designed to delve deeper into topics introduced in the beginner class, as well as help you develop new computer skills. Topics include sending e-mails, using the internet, creating files and folders, and designing word processing documents. Additional topics may be covered if time allows. Choose from one of the following sessions:
Date: Monday, October 13
Deadline to Register: October 6
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $25 member/ $35 nonmember
Location: UM-Tupelo, Room 202
Instructor: Steven Vallarian
The Basics of eBay Selling
Learn to make a supplemental or full-time income from an eBay-trained Certified Education Specialist . This multimedia course will include eBay's own training materials and will cover selling basics and beyond, including research, opening and using a Paypal account, improving listings with better descriptions and digital photography, security and post-sale activities, such as billing and shipping. Avoid frustrating hours of tedious instructions. Trial and error is error. Learn from a long-time successful seller.
An optional book is available from the instructor for $20, payable on day of class. However, the instructor will be referring to the book during class, and it is a great reference tool for the future. Lunch break provided.
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: October 15
Fee: $60
Location: UM–Tupelo, Room 204
Instructor: Olen Batchelor
Microsoft PowerPoint
Do you want to be able to design powerful and impressive presentations? This class will teach the basics of creating slides including inserting text, images, and page transitions. Creating and modifying templates will also be covered. In this introductory class you will receive the skills needed to design effective presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint.
Prerequisites: Familiarity with Windows and computer basics required.
Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: October 15
Fee: $40
Location: UM–Tupelo, Room 202
Instructor: Tammy Davis
Literacy Strategies (K-3rd): The How? When? And Why?
This workshop is geared to target “tried and true” literacy strategies for K-3rd grade classrooms. Workshop participants will review twenty–five literacy strategies, how to use each one, when to use each one, and why they should integrate these strategies in their classroom. Each strategy will provide a step by step sequence that recommends the most appropriate usage for oral language, phonemic awareness, and fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, spelling and content areas. Also, directions on adapting these activities to meet the needs of diverse students such as the English learner will be provided. Students will receive 1.5 CEUs upon course completion.
Prerequisites
This is an introductory course for teachers, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers and also have knowledge of accessing Blackboard e–Educational platform. In addition, participants should be proficient with using email, browsing the internet, and navigating to computer files.
Assessment and Course Requirements
This continuing education course will include readings, discussion assignments for each strategy, and reflections which participants are required to complete. At the end of the four week course, the participant will have gained an ongoing list of “tried and true” literacy strategies with the tools of successfully implementing each strategy in their classroom. These are non-credit courses, which do not require admission to the University.
Date:October 27 - November 21
Fee:$85 (CEUs included)
Location: Online
Literacy Strategies (4th-6th): The How? When? And Why?
This workshop is geared to target “tried and true” literacy strategies for 4th-6th grade classrooms. Workshop participants will review twenty–five literacy strategies, how to use each one, when to use each one, and why they should integrate these strategies in their classroom. Each strategy will provide a step by step sequence that recommends the most appropriate usage for oral language, phonemic awareness, and fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, spelling and content areas. Also, directions on adapting these activities to meet the needs of diverse students such as the English learner will be provided. Students will receive 1.5 CEUs upon course completion.
Prerequisites
This is an introductory course for teachers, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers and also have knowledge of accessing Blackboard e–Educational platform. In addition, participants should be proficient with using email, browsing the internet, and navigating to computer files.
Assessment and Course Requirements
This continuing education course will include readings, discussion assignments for each strategy, and reflections which participants are required to complete. At the end of the four week course, the participant will have gained an ongoing list of “tried and true” literacy strategies with the tools of successfully implementing each strategy in their classroom. These are non-credit courses, which do not require admission to the University.
Date:October 27 - November 21
Fee:$85 (CEUs included)
Location: Online
Willy Bearden: Mississippi Delta Lecture
Join Mississippi Delta-born acclaimed film writer, director, and producer Willy Bearden for a special lecture entitled: Larger Than Life: Saints and Sinners: People Who Made the Delta the Delta.
After the lecture, dine with Willy at Park Heights Restaurant for a “Delta Soul Food ‘Dutch Treat’ Dinner” (please note: dinner reservations required).
Mississippi Delta Lecture
Date: Tuesday, October 28
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Special Book Signing : TBA
Fee: Free
Location: AEC Auditorium, UM-Tupelo Campus
Delta Soul Food Dutch Treat Dinner
Date: Tuesday, October 28 (following lecture)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Fee: Dutch Treat
Location: Park Heights Restaurant, 335 East Main Street, Tupelo
Dinner Reservations: Required by October 22. Contact Mollie Gratz, 662-690-6205.
Your Yoga
Experience the benefits of yoga in a comfortable environment with adults your own age. Some studies have shown that in addition to building strength, flexibility, and endurance, yoga may help reduce stress and anxiety, help lower blood pressure, and decrease risk factors for heart disease. Beginners or more experienced yoga practitioners will benefit from this class. Participants will need to dress in comfortable non-binding clothing, refrain from eating at least 2 hours before class, and bring a blanket, beach towel, and/or yoga mat to practice on. Yoga is best practiced with bare feet.
Date: Tuesdays, October 28 - December 2
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Deadline to Register: October 23
Fee: $50 member / $65 nonmember
Instructors: Robyn Gibson
Location: The Yoga Center, 121B Industrial Drive, Tupelo
Computers for Beginners – Level III
This Advanced class helps you bring the skills you've learned in the Beginner and Intermediate classes to a new level. Learn how to use the internet for your everyday needs, such as couponing and cooking on the web, shopping online and buying on Ebay, online banking and bill payments, communicating with grandchildren and relatives via voice and video email, and using a web-based e-mail. Students who have not completed the Beginner and Intermediate classes, but have a basic knowledge of computers may also enroll. Choose from one of the following sessions:
Date: Monday, November 3
Deadline to Register: October 27
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $25 member/$35 non-member
Location: UM-Tupelo, Room 202
Instructor: Steven Vallarian
Holiday Entertaining Made Easy
Are you a little frazzled and slightly overwhelmed by the cooking preparations for your next holiday gathering? Having trouble deciding which gourmet appetizer to serve but are not sure how to spice up it up? Put aside all of your holiday culinary worries, and let Jody Lehman, Owner of A Cook’s Place, teach you how to prepare some simple but yet festive and elegant appetizers to make your next holiday party perfect!
Date: Thursday, November 13
Deadline to Register: November 10
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Fee: $45
Location: A Cook’s Place; 134 South Industrial Road, Tupelo
Instructor: Jody Lehman
Fall/Holiday Floral Design
Get into the spirit of the holiday season by creating beautiful floral designs under the guidance and expertise of floral designer, Tracy Proctor, AIFD. This hands–on class allows beginning and experienced participants to practice their floral technique using fresh seasonal décor‘. Students will create their own holiday creations for take home after class. For more information on floral designer Tracy Proctor, please visit his website: www.designbytracyproctor.com.
Date: Saturday, November 15
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: November 12
Fee: $85 (Includes Supplies)
Location: AEC Leadership Skills Lab, Room 103
Instructor: Tracy Proctor
Microsoft Excel
The Microsoft Excel class is a 6–hour class for absolute beginners that will include basics such a spreadsheet terminology and spreadsheet design to more intermediate topics such as charts/graphs, formula writing and editing.
Pre-requisites: Familiarity with Windows and computer basics required.
Date: Saturday, November 15
Time: 9:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: November 12
Fee: $55
Location: UM–Tupelo, Room 202
Instructor: Greg Davis
Wine Tasting Dinner: Wines and Foods of the Founding Fathers with John Hailman
Join John Hailman, author, attorney and nationally syndicated wine, food and travel columnist, on the rooftop of Park Heights restaurant for an evening of dinner, wine and conversation. Explore the reasons as to why our nation’s third President, Thomas Jefferson along with many other of our founding fathers had such a passion for fine wine and fine food. Register Early as space is limited.
Date: Tuesday, November 18
Special Book Signing:Thomas Jefferson On Wine by John Hailman
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Park Heights Private Dining Room
Wine Tasting Dinner:Wines and Foods of the Founding Fathers
Deadline to Register: November 12
Fee: TBA
Location: The Rooftop, Park Heights Restaurant, 335 East Main Street, Tupelo
Stained Glass Workshop (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Levels)
Beginners will be taught the traditional method of cutting and putting together a stained glass window using the copper foil method. Beginners will have 6 patterns to select from and will complete a 10” x 14” stained glass window. Intermediate and Advanced students will have 4 patterns to select from and will complete an 18” circle stained glass window. Advanced and Intermediate level students will need to bring their tools from the Beginner Class. Minimum: 5 students for the class to make. Supplies included. Register early as this class fills quickly! Lunch break provided.
Date: Saturday, November 22
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: November 19
Fee: $85
Location: UM-Tupelo, Dining Room
Instructor: Bob Elser
Holiday Cookie Decorating Magic
Children age 8 and up are encouraged to get into the spirit of the holiday season by learning some magical tips and techniques when it comes to decorating cookies. Participants in this class will have the opportunity to create and design their very own festive holiday themed cookies. Each student will take home 10 decorated cookies.
Date for Session I: Friday, December 5
Time for Session I: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Date for Session II: Saturday, December 6
Time for Session II: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Deadline to Register: December 1
Fee: $40
Location: UM–Tupelo, Dining Room
Instructor: Mary Elizabeth Williams