The Wisconsin Idea—the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s commitment to spreading its knowledge far beyond its borders—informs everything the university does. It’s also at the heart of the 2018 fall catalog from UW-Madison Continuing Studies.
Available online and in the July 26 issues of Isthmus and the Wisconsin State Journal, the fall catalog features more than 200 classes, workshops, lectures, and educational travel experiences. There are opportunities to learn in person or online, plus numerous chances to grow personally and professionally.
Some of the season’s most unique offerings explore the Wisconsin Idea through history, writing, and art. These include Spirits of Earth: Ancient Effigy Mounds and the Four Lakes Region and Monuments and Meanings: UW-Madison and Beyond. You can even forge your own Wisconsin ideas in classes such as the Driftless Nature Writing Workshop, Storytelling in Digital Audio, and Capturing the Living Story: Introduction to Oral History.
Additionally, the catalog introduces Continuing Studies’ fall Lifelong Learner Giveaway. The winners will receive admission to a by-invitation-only luncheon featuring Doug Bradley and Craig Werner, authors of We Gotta Get Out of This Place: The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War. The event takes place Oct. 27, entries are due Aug. 28, and 20 randomly selected winners will be notified no later than Sept. 14.
Develop skills, build relationships
Fall is also an excellent time to explore other topics of interest, develop skills, and meet fellow learners who can enrich your life. Have you always dreamed of writing a novel? Try Write Your Novel Fast and Sure or the Weekend with Your Novel retreat. Do you love to dance? Continuing Studies teaches styles ranging from ballet to West African. You can even learn choreography inspired by the hit musical Hamilton.
Personal growth also abounds in Continuing Studies’ other art, creative writing, dance and movement, music, languages, theater, and history and humanities classes. Among the new offerings are Printmaking: New Ways to Make Your Mark, The Artistry of Carpentry: Wisconsin’s Arts and Crafts Architecture, and Spanish Advanced Conversation: Spanish Short Films.
Professional development opportunities are plentiful as well. Choose from continuing education in aging and long-term care, distance education, human services, life coaching, mediation and conflict resolution, ethics and boundaries, mental health, and leadership, management, and workplace skills. Do you aspire to be a stronger leader? Consider Communication Skills for Challenging Conversations and Team Leadership and Facilitation Skills. Are you a psychologist, social worker, or counselor? We have classes in motivational interviewing, treating addictions, assisting people with dementia, and much more.
Our newest professional development offerings include Diverse Populations and Substance Use Challenges, Ethics and Boundaries: Documentation, Risk Assessment, and Telemedicine, and Taking Fun Seriously at Work: Navigating the Dilemmas for Leaders. We also have new certificates in substance use disorders and workplace coaching.
Continuing Studies can even help you if you’re looking to change jobs or careers. We offer a popular job search support group, workshops such as Career Change 101< and Tools for Purposeful Career Change, and appointments with experienced career counselors.
What’s more, we offer exciting ways to expand your horizons through educational travel. From Nov. 29 to Dec. 16, we’ll explore the ecological wonders of Panama and Costa Rica. Then comes a trip to Thailand and Laos in February and March. This excursion includes stops in Bangkok and Vientiane, plus chances to see the mountain temples of Wat Phou and the elephant camps of the Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai.
Ready for more? Visit Continuing Studies’ class listings for details about fall 2018 offerings.