I'm not great with cuttings yet, either, but my understanding is that most softwood cuttings should be done in rooting medium, and that winter is the appropriate time to take hardwood cuttings (this time of year for softwood). Some prolific plants may root in water, like willow. As a complete aside, my husband cut some cherry and maple saplings down in April for pea sticks (that would be hardwood cuttings), and they have rooted and are growing new leaves in my kitchen garden.

I found this online, the URL is below:

Propagation: Currants are easily propagated by hardwood cuttings of one-year old wood. Take one-foot cuttings of dormant wood in late winter, dip the base in rooting hormone and pot in ordinary soil. Cuttings will quickly root and are best kept in part shade for the first year. If the plants are to be grown as standards, strip all buds off cutting below soil line. Currants can also be grafted, but no advantage is gained.

Here is a link that might be useful: Currant Facts

Thanks for the info.