LEWISTON – The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer 10 courses for the fall semester, Sept. 22 through Nov. 21.

Now in its eighth year, the coming semester includes such subjects as England’s Victorian Age, the science of horticulture, Shaker history, fantastic literature and American fiction, learning of the game of bridge and the skill of appliqué sewing. Also included will be another “Special Destinations” travel activity and an introduction to “dabbling in the arts.”

Open to all persons age 50 or older and their spouses, the courses will be presented by peers, with no entrance requirements, grades or tests. An annual membership fee of $25, valid from September through May, is required and provides access to the computer lab and library, mailings and to Senior College courses at other campuses.

The course fees, which include the cost of most books and materials, are $25 each for the first two courses and $10 for each additional course. All classes will be held during the day at L-A College on Westminster Street unless otherwise noted. No classes will be held on Oct. 13 and Nov. 4.

The fall semester courses are as follows:

“The Science of Horticulture”: The course will examine and study the science behind the practice of plant husbandry, taxonomy, plant adaptations, pruning and transplanting.

Classes are scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. eight Mondays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 17. Instructor Edward Corbett has degrees in horticulture and plant physiology, including a PhD in plant breeding from UNH. Dr. Corbett taught plant science at UConn for more than 30 years.

“The Royal ‘We'”: Continuing the series on English history and literature, the course will provide a survey of the Victorian Age in England – Victoria, her Albert, the zenith of the Empire, and works of major writers and poets such as the Brownings and Charles Dickens’ “David Copperfield.” The course will include supplemental videos.

Classes are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. seven Mondays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 17. Instructor Barbara Randall is a retired English literature teacher from Edward Little High School, a former dean at Bates College and a frequent presenter at Senior College.

“Special Destinations”: The course will again feature a series of day trips to provide learning about the region by visiting historical sites, museums, public gardens and places of business. Specific locations will be determined prior to semester start.

Trips are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. six Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 28. Members will provide their own transportation from L-A College, with any admission costs covered by the course fee. A group lunch will be available after each visit. Tour guide Dot Rupert is a retired Lewiston teacher and a seasoned tour leader for Senior College. She is a past member of the board of directors.

“‘Dabbling’ in the Arts”: The course will provide an opportunity for those who would like to draw and paint but haven’t found time before. Class members will “dabble” with different materials, using various media including collage, drawing, painting and calligraphy.

Classes are scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. eight Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. The course will be led by Ila Green who, while retired from academic counseling, still wishes she had followed her interest in teaching art and is herself a “dabbler,” welcoming student input and expertise. A syllabus of needed materials will be provided at the first class.

“The Alethia: A Shaker Book Discussion”: The Alethia was written in 1899 by Shaker Sister Aurelia Mace of the Sabbathday Lake Shakers. The course will provide group discussions about the provocative nature of Sister Aurelia’s writings, which were a collection of essays and articles written to both the Shaker and Maine newspapers concerning Shaker thoughts about then-current events. This is an anthology of Shaker progressive thought.

Classes are scheduled for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. four Wednesdays, Oct. 22 to Nov. 12. Instructor Leonard Brooks is a retired educator with degrees from the University of Maine and Dartmouth College. Since 1988 he has served as director of the Shaker Museum and Shaker Library.

“Intermediate Bridge”: The course is for those who participated in the beginner bridge course given in the spring of 2007 and will increase their knowledge and skill.

Classes are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. six Wednesdays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29. Instructor Claire Lyons first learned the game in college and continues to travel to compete in bridge tournaments.

“Masterpieces of the Imaginative Mind: Literature’s Most Fantastic Works”: The course first examines fairy tales in literature with the focus on what they reflect of the world described and what they reveal about human psychology. Then a series of works by Edgar Allan Poe will be explored before tracing the genre of science fiction and its development from its precursors in the ancient world. Contemporary science fiction authors whose works will be discussed include Ray Bradbury, Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov.

Classes are scheduled from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. eight Thursdays, Sept. 25 to Nov. 13. Instructor Charles W. Plummer is a long-time presenter at USM/L-A and Midcoast Senior College programs. He holds degrees in education, administration and in religious studies and metaphysics, and is a member of the board of directors.

“Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Tales of a Wayside lnn”: The course will provide a field trip to Sudbury, Mass., to visit Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, then read and discuss his account of “Tales of a Wayside Inn.” Longfellow was one of Maine’s most famous writers and the subject of an introductory course given last spring.

Classes are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. six Thursdays, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30. Instructor June Spear is a graduate of UMass at Amherst and Framingham State College. She taught in New England and Europe for 37 years, retiring from Central Maine Technical College in 2007, and is a member of the Senior College board of directors.

“Learn to Appliqué”: The course will provide an opportunity to improve and develop sewing and quilting skills by learning how to apply an appliqué to quilt blocks or clothing. Experience in paper piecing will also be provided. Certain supplies, including a sewing machine, will be required.

Classes are scheduled for 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. four Fridays, Oct. 17 to Nov. 7. Instructor Leona LeBrun is a graduate of Husson College, and quilting has been her hobby for more than 10 years.

“The American Novel in Transition: 1885-1900”: The rise of nationalism and increased literacy sophistication altered American fiction at the close of the 19th century. The course will illustrate the emergence of a new fictional genre by the study of four novels that appeared from 1885 to 1900. Novels to be read are Stephen Crane’s “Maggie,” Henry James’s “The Aspern Papers,” Frank Norris’ “McTeague” and Theodore Dreiser’s “Sister Carrie.”

Classes are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. eight Fridays, Sept. 26 to Nov. 14. Instructor Lincoln Ladd is a retired educator and has taught at North Carolina University and UNC-Greensboro, and the University of Maine at Farmington and Augusta. He has presented several literature courses at Senior College and is a member of the board of directors.

Senior College at USM/L-A is a member of the Maine Senior College Network, an organization of the state’s 16 senior colleges providing a curriculum of learning opportunities for persons age 50 or older. Senior College is an initiative of the Osher Learning Institute at USM and is an affiliate of the Elderhostel Institute Network.

For more information on courses and enrollment, call 753-6510 or visit on-line at usm.maine.edu/lac/seniorcollege.