WNC News & Notes

Computer classes help hone job skills

The current economic climate has local residents from all walks of life reassessing their career skills. In many cases, that means brushing up on some form of technical or computing skills. WNC has scheduled a diverse set of short-term to full-semester computer application courses for the fall semester that begins Monday, Aug. 31. More than 60 computer courses will teach everything from basic keyboarding and office programs to computer aided drafting and installation of networks.

Several of Western's most popular classes are half-credit courses that are taken on one Saturday or two weekday evenings. These are introductory courses on personal computing, using MS Windows, word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, QuickBooks and MS Excel.

Western also has a four-semester program on CISCO Internetworking that concentrates on the principles and practices of designing, building and maintaining networks capable of supporting national and global organizations. The Networking Academy features hands-on, project-driven training in high demand job skills.

A similar two-year sequence in computer-aided drafting design uses AutoCAD software to produce working drawings. Following the introductory courses students have the chance to move up into architectural drafting and solid modeling and design.

Those interested in computer information technology can learn Linux Installation and Configuration. There are online classes for Access certification that teach the basic and advanced features of Microsoft Access needed to create databases for use by individuals or small groups.Other courses include Microsoft Networking, and Introduction to IT Project Management.

English class to explore writings from the Silver State

Nevada's rich literary heritage reflecting its history, geography, and culture will be explored in a new English course at Western Nevada College this fall. ENG 223, Themes of Literature, will study the new anthology "Literary Nevada: Writings from the Silver State," edited by Prof. Cheryll Glotfelty.

The three-credit course (cost $196.50) will meet 7-9:45 p.m. on Thursdays at the Carson City campus. The course will be taught by Patti Cooper-Smith, who has worked on the anthology with Glotfelty since its inception 12 years ago.

Cooper-Smith said the anthology is the first comprehensive work on Nevada literature. She said the class "is a unique opportunity to read and learn how Nevada is portrayed in literature, about its major authors, how different groups experience Nevada's landscape, and how Nevada's literary history is tied to its economic and political history."

The instructor said a few of the questions to be explored are: Do insiders and outsiders write and respond differently to Nevada themes? Does the literature of a state help create an identity for it? Will reading about Nevada change the way you experience the state? Films and guest speakers may complement the readings.