There’s nothing strange about being a lifelong learner. But if your interests range, you should check out the long list of weird classes offered by the University of Cincinnati’s Communiversity program. Fascinated by the connection between Aromatherapy, Egyptian Oils, and the Bible? Or maybe fortune telling is more up your alley? Learn to keep time by the stars, or tango like an authentic Argentinian…  View courses here:  http://webapps.uc.edu/communiversity

“Learning really never has to end,” says Communiversity director Donna Burns.

This is the driving force behind the University of Cincinnati Communiversity Program. The program offers personal and professional developmental classes for a multitude of ages. With a wide variety of classes offered, participants can attend the informal, non-credit classes for reasonable prices.

Originally founded in 1949 with the name Short Term Courses for Busy Men and Women, the Communiversity program offered just eight classes in each academic term.

By 1979, the name was changed to Communiversity, melding the terms community and university. “Communiversity serves as a community engagement effort,” Burns said.

“We define community internally and externally,” Burns said. “We serve the university community, but we also reach out and serve the entire Cincinnati community.”

Offering over 200 online titles and more than 120 face-to-face classes each month, Communiversity aims to provide a unique experience for each individual. From Binocular Stargazing to Business Analytics Boot Camp, the courses range from recreation to academic development.

“We have a lot of different classes for a lot of different cultures,” Burns said. “We do a lot of cultural exposure, whether it be language, dance, or travel.”

Destination travel classes (such as Italy Insights and Costa Rica, Belize, and Beyond) offer invaluable pre-planning information for participants traveling to a foreign country in the near future. Music classes like Argentine Tango Introduction and Celtic Fiddling for Beginners allow enthusiasts to experience the style of another culture.

“People’s interests are so wide-ranging,” Burns said. “Choosing a particular class is such a personal decision.”

“Printed four times annually, the Communiversity course offering booklet is updated seasonally. Between 15 and 20 percent of the catalogue will present brand-new classes with each new printing, while 10 percent of the booklet contains limited seasonal class offerings,” Burns said.

“Seasonal sport courses, including dance classes, are most popular with participants under age 30,” Burns said. These classes include salsa, ballroom, hula, and ballroom dancing.

“Prices vary depending on the amount of hours the class meets,” Burns said. “The class meets for the duration of time it takes to meet the educational goals.”

Even so, Burns believes the classes are a bang for your buck. “Courses are a wonderful value for the money and time a participant invests,” Burns said.

Beyond the price and course content, the Communiversity courses aim to connect the university with the community — and the program succeeds with that goal.

Classes take place on UC Main Campus and Victory Parkway Campus, among other locations.

Communiversity puts the emphasis on learning back into education. When college degrees and a superior education are essential for career ambitions and professional development, the program values learning to learn, over having to learn. “Classes are short-term, pressure-free, and require no studying,” Burns said.

“What participants learn in class is theirs to keep and use as they please. We serve people who are interested in stretching themselves.”

Written by Kara Driscoll

Edited by Rebecca Nebert

The original (longer) version of this article was published by the University of Cincinnati’s independent student news organization, The News Record: www.newsrecord.org