PORTLAND —  This fall the Muskie School of Public Service and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Southern Maine will host a series, “Politics Then and Now, In Maine and the Nation,” to examine the evolution and future of politics in the state and country.

The eight-week series will bring the state’s top political minds together to address the following questions: How was politics “played” in earlier times, in Maine and the nation? How has that changed, and why? What will it take to get back on course? And what does Maine have to teach the nation in this regard?

All events will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursdays in Lee Community Hall or Hannaford Lecture Hall on the USM Portland campus. The series is free and open to the public. Seating cannot be reserved.

Speakers will include:

Sept. 19: Former U.S. Congressman Tom Allen.

Sept. 26: Former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell.

Oct. 3: Former Maine Gov. Kenneth Curtis.

Oct. 10: Former Maine Senate President and House Speaker Elizabeth Mitchell.

Oct. 17: U.S. Sen. Angus King.

Oct. 24: Speaker to be announced.

Oct. 31: Former U.S. Congressman Barney Frank.

Nov. 7: “Future Prospects”: Panel discussion with former Maine State Sen. Cynthia Dill; Maine House Republican Leader Ken Fredette; and University of Maine Professor of Political Science Amy Fried

For series details and speaker locations, see  http://usm.maine.edu/muskie/politics-then-and-now.