LEWISTON – The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer nine new courses for its spring semester from April 4 through May 27.

The presentations will include variations on previously acclaimed subjects as well as a group of new ones, and include such diverse courses as classical mythology, history of the opera, creating computer data bases, spirituality for seniors, stage and drama fundamentals, Oscar’s Best American films, memoir writing, Maine public policy changes and a series of field trips to area points of interest.

The courses are open to all persons 50 or older and their spouses. An annual membership fee of $25 valid through May 2005 is required for enrollment. The cost is $25. For those registering for more than two courses a reduced fee of $10 will be charged per additional course. All classes will be held at the L-A College on Westminster Street.

The course descriptions for the spring schedule are as follows:

“Classical Mythology”: Introduction to Greco-Roman myths and the theories of Freud, Jung and Joseph Campbell. Reading requirement. Instructor Charles Plummer is a retired educator and a frequent instructor at Senior College. Class will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays.

“Writing Your Own Life”: Organize and write your life’s memoirs to leave a legacy for younger and future generations. Facilitator Cecile Forgues has been enrolled in Senior College since 1998 and has been journaling for many years. The class will meet every other week from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays.

“Maine is Changing”: The course traces the interaction between societal trends and public policy in the ways Maine has changed regarding its economy, employment, population, political leadership, transportation, education, housing, tourism and environmental concerns. Instructor Robert Bowyer, a member of the Senior College Advisory Board, is a retired city planner dealing with changes in regional development patterns. The course is scheduled for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays.

“Spirituality for Seniors”: Discussions and analysis of the things that give meaning to lives of seniors through stories, touch, wisdom, life, world and spirit. Instructors include Ken Rancourt, Elizabeth Lowe and Sally Brochu, chaplains at the Sisters of Charity Health System, and Marguerite Stapleton, vice president of mission effectiveness at the Health System. The course will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays.

“Matinee with Oscar”: The course will screen a varied group of American films that received the Oscar for Best Picture from the Motion Picture Academy. Films selected will include “Casablanca,” “All the King’s Men,” “All About Eve,” “From Here to Eternity,” “On the Waterfront,” “The Sting,” “Chinatown” and “Annie Hall.” Hosting the course will be Ralph Tuttle, a member of the Senior College Advisory Board. The course will take place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

“Special Destinations – Points of Interest”: Back by popular demand is tour guide Dot Rupert with another series of field trips to special sites of Maine interest, including the Perry-McMillan Arctic Museum, Joshua Chamberlain Museum, Falmouth Audubon Society, Poland Spring Bottling Plant, the Pineland Center and the McLaughlin Foundation Garden and Horticultural Center. Members will provide their own transportation and all admission costs are covered by the course fee. Trips are scheduled for 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays.

“Stage Right”: The fundamentals of drama and stagecraft will provide fun activities through brief performances and presentations of excerpts from well-known and student-written plays or monologues. Participants will not need to memorize any lines. Instructor Hugh Keene, a frequent presenter for Senior College and a retired educator from Auburn, served as faculty adviser for dramatics at Edward Little High School. The curtain will rise from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays.

“History of the Opera”: The 400-year history of opera will be covered over the eight weeks in 50-year periods. An opera will be presented at each session, including the life of the composer, the story of the opera, the particulars of the video production and viewing a half-hour segment of the opera. Instructor John Serrage is a life-long music student and musician. The course, which will begin April 15, will meet from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays.

“Basic Database Creation”: The advanced computer course will concentrate on database creation using Microsoft Access. The principles learned will be applicable to other database programs. Students should be familiar with Windows and other Microsoft programs. Instructor Wayne Hollingworth has taught computer courses at various educational institutions, including several at Senior College. The course is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays.

Senior College at Lewiston-Auburn College is a member of the Maine Senior College Network, an organization of the state’s 14 senior colleges. The network collaborates with university programs state-wide to offer intellectually stimulating courses and learning opportunities for adults who are 50 or older. It is an initiative of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine.

No previous college attendance is required to join Senior College. It is also an affiliate of the Elderhostel Institute Network.

For more information on the courses and enrollment, people should call 753-6510 or visit the Web site at www. usm.maine.edu/lac.