Offerings will include plants and herbs, personal growth and British royalty.

LEWISTON – The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer six new courses in its fall semester from Sept. 15 to Nov. 7.

The offerings will focus on the problems of minorities and race in America, Maine Shaker history and life, the ecology of plants and herbs, personal growth and personality analysis, the reality of British royalty and a study of the novels of Jane Austen.

The courses are open to persons 50 or older and their spouses. The cost of a course is $25 after a mandatory annual Senior College membership fee of $25, which is valid through May 2004.

For those interested in registering for more than two courses, a reduced fee of $10 will apply per additional course. All classroom courses will be held at the L-A College, 51 Westminster St.

The course descriptions for the fall schedule are as follows:

“One America in the 21st Century”: Exploring the legacy of race in this country, with discussion of minority group history, the changing demographics of race, increase in interracial marriages, affirmative action programs, the enforcement of civil rights and racial discrimination in housing.

Instructor Peter Jonitis is a retired professor of sociology and anthropology at Bates College. He most recently taught a Senior College course on American culture.

“The Shakers: Past and Present”: An introduction to Shaker history in Maine, their famous craftmanship and Shaker life today will be led by Leonard Brooks, director of the Shaker Museum and the Shaker Library, along with members of the Sabbathday Shaker Community and staff.

The course will begin with a tour starting at the museum at 1 p.m. Sept. 9, and the remaining four classroom meetings will be at the L-A College.

“Incredible Edibles: Wild Edibles and Herbs”: The course identifies great weeds you can learn to love. Participants will sample 30 to 60 plants and roots that have been used for thousands of years. Bring in plant samples and questions.

Instructor Steve Drane has taught about wild foods for 15 years, is associated with a Native American herbalist, and has studied with Dr. James Duke, author of well known texts on the subject. The course runs for four weeks.

“Personality and Spiritual Growth”: The Rev. Anita White returns to present another course in her series on spirituality. Using the Myer-Briggs Personality Type inventory, participants will analyze themselves and others to better understand and live their lives. Class discussions will be helpful regardless of religious background.

White is pastor of the Waterford Congregational Church and teaches English and world religions at Hebron Academy. Co-instructor Silver Moore-Leamon is a retired certified counselor with the Myer-Briggs test. The five-week course begins Wednesday, Oct. 1.

“British Monarchs Unbuttoned”: Royalty and monarchs are more than just historical figures. This course will reveal their real personalities as it focuses on the triumphs, foibles and idiosyncracies of the British royal families throught the ages.

Instructor Barbara Randall, a member of the Senior College advisory board and a retired English literature teacher from Edward Little High School, has designed the course to be informative, interesting and fun.

“Novels by Jane Austen”: Two works by Jane Austen, popular 19th century American author, the novels “Emma” and “Pride and Prejudice,” will be the focus of the course presented by Lincoln Ladd, who has taught English at North Carolina University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Most recently he taught a course on the novels of William Faulkner at Senior College at the University of Maine at Augusta.

The course, “One America in the 21st Century,” will held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays. On Tuesdays, the Shaker classroom sessions will be presented from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and the “Incredible Edibles” from 1 to 3 p.m. “Personality and Spiritual Growth” is scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, “British Monarchs” on Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m., and “Jane Austen” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays. Unless otherwise stated, the courses run for eight weeks.

For more information on the offerings and enrollment, call 753-6510 or attend a meeting at the college at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, to meet the instructors and register for the semester. A light lunch will be provided. RSVP at 753-6510.

Senior College is part of the Center for Extended Academic Programs. No previous college attendance is required. Senior College is an affiliate of the Elderhostel Institute Network and provides stimulating learning opportunities and special activities for persons 50 or older.