The zone system is great! It does take a while to master, however. I don't think anyone can obtain a solid *working* foundation in a short, one-week (or weekend) workshop. I'd recommend a several-week long class, where you can explore one particular film in detail, with respect to exposure, development, film curves, and the translation of these into printing. And then practice practice practice until you have an intuitive mastery of your materials. Its worth it. There's a beautiful ryhthm to working this way, because your creative vision will assume an intimate relationship with your technical mastery. Make sure your workshop has a good mix of lecture/field/darkroom time, so your knowledge base is built in a thorough fashion.(posted 8531 days ago)If you have the time, New England School of Photography in Boston offers a 10-week course this summer with LOTS of lab time available.
Best of luck!
Chris