Ann,(posted 8963 days ago)The idea of a course is the best, especially starting from scratch. If local courses are not available, start getting some books and reading. From soup to nuts is beyond the capacity of a forum like this, especially when you look at books with several hundred pages of information.
But for starting out, I recommend:
Manual 35mm camera with 50mm lens - Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc. Used is great Kodak Tri-X film - you can't go wrong with it to start, especially if you want to start with darkroom work A yellow filter to start experimenting with filtering
That will get you started with taking pictures.
For the darkroom
A changing bag Daylight processing tank - plastic reels to start with, they are easier to load Some bottles Chemisty - D-76 is fine, Xtol is better for developing. Stop bath, Fixer (rapid or normal), Photo Flo Distilled water for mixing chemicals Thermometer
This will get you through processing film. Getting in to printing expands the expense due to the need for a dark place to work and an enlarger. But used darkroom equipment is readily available, cheap.
Enlarger with lens Safe light B&W Paper - Kodak Polymax or Ilford Multigrade to start will work fine Developer - Kodak Dektol, Ilford Univeral or Multigrade are good starts. Stop and fix from your film developing Trays to hold the chemistry and paper to actually develop the paper.
Things like enlarging easels, proof printers, timers, etc. make life easier, but are not required to get started. You can make do without them.
Terry