LEWISTON — The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer 21 courses in the fall semester, Sept. 22 through Nov. 18.

Now in its 17th year, the college’s upcoming semester will feature both new and continuation courses, ranging from investments for seniors, Spanish and French language studies, drawing basics, genealogy, improvisational comedy, World War I and the recent Great Recession, as well as others described below.

Open to all people age 50 and older and their spouses, the courses will be presented by peers, with no entrance requirements, grades or tests. An annual Senior College membership fee of $25, valid from Sept. 1, 2014, through Aug. 31, 2015, is required and provides access to the computer lab and library, and to Senior College courses at other USM campuses.

The course fees, which include the cost of most books and materials, are $25 each for the first two courses and then $10 for each additional course. All classes are held during the day at L-A College, 51 Westminster St., except as noted.

“The Metis of Maine and Acadia”: 10 a.m. to noon for four Mondays, Oct. 20 to Nov. 10. Instructor Elder Mike Deerhawk Akerley continues his exploration of these people of mixed heritage, a subject he has researched for 25 years.

“Drawing Basics II”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Mondays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 17. Instructor Helen Crockett will continue to provide for the sharpening of prior drawing skills and opportunities for creative fun.

“The Great War (1914-1918) and Its Aftermath: Interesting People, Places and Events”: 1 to 3 p.m. for five Mondays, Sept. 15 to Oct. 20. Instructor Christine Holden will provide focus on little known but important aspects of this war and resulting treaties, including social and political impact of wartime government policies.

“Basic Conversational French”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. Instructor Ann Anctil will teach basic conversational language for persons who have little or no background in French.

“Living History”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 28. Six instructors from the Senior College leadership will each share a specific and meaningful experience about how wartime conditions affected their lives.

“Stories of Life: Autobiographical Writing”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for four Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 14, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. This course offers a process for writing about individual experience and will include sharing and discussion. Instructor Patrick Norton has taught Social Policy and Critical Thinking at USM.

“Espanol: Practicando y Platicando”: 1 to 3 p.m. for seven Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 4. This is a continuation course and is at an advanced level using previous texts. Instructor Barbara Oliver will enable students to reinforce their skills while learning more of the Spanish language.

“A World of Opera”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Tuesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. Continuing his popular courses about opera, instructor John Serrage will examine and sample the differences in the French, German, Italian and English operatic cultures.

“Chinese History”: 10 a.m. to noon for four Wednesdays, Oct. 1 to Oct. 22. This new course will look at China from ancient time periods to the Qin dynasty. Instructor Michael Akerley holds a B.A. in arts and humanities from USM LAC.

“The Wacky World of Pop Art”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Wednesdays. Sept. 24 to Oct. 29. This course will review major popular art works from Andy Warhol to Norman Rockwell, and also including other artists from the sublime to the ridiculous in the field of pop art. Instructor Kirsten Larsson-Turley is a senior docent at several Maine museums.

“The Great Recession”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for four Wednesdays, Oct. 8 to Oct. 29. This course looks at the recent economic recession that started in 2008, explores its causes, the lessons learned, the lasting effects and its future impact on the American economy. Instructor Alene Staley taught college business courses for 15 years.

“Panning For Gold”: 1 to 4 p.m. for eight Wednesdays, Sept. 24 to Nov. 12. This is a course for writing your memories and sharing your “nuggets” with others. Instructors Pauline L. Fortin and Leelaine R. Picker are experienced teachers with degrees in English and political science.

“What Is That Thing Called Force?”: 1 to 3 p.m. for six Wednesdays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29. This is a science course exploring the strange world of forces that hold the universe together. Instructor Hugh Keene holds an advanced degree in physics and chaired the science department at Edward Little High School.

“Advanced Conversational French II”: 9 to 11 a.m. for eight Thursdays, Sept. 25 to Nov. 13. This continuation course is for students seeking to improve their conversational skills. Not for beginners. Instructor Ann Anctil.

“Understanding Investments”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Thursdays, Sept. 25 to Nov. 13. This course will provide basic investing rules, studying the stock and bond markets, annuities, mutual funds, retirement health care needs and estate planning. Instructor Andrew Saucier is a certified financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments.

“Sensation, Perception, and The Aging Process”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Thursdays, Sept. 25 to Nov. 13, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. This course will help toward a deeper understanding of how our sensory systems respond to our physical environment. Instructor Charles W. Plummer.

“U.S. National Parks”: 1 to 3 p.m. for four Thursdays, Oct. 9 to Oct. 30, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. Repeating by popular demand, instructor Joanne Lebel will share her visits to the many wonders of our National Parks.

“I Always Wanted to Perform Improv Comedy”: 1 to 3 p.m. for six Thursdays, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30. Providing the basic elements of improvisation through games and skits, this course will make the participant a better listener, communicator and responder to various situations and challenges. Instructor Dan Marois has an extensive background in public speaking and theater techniques.

“Learning to Paint Using the Layering Technique”: 10 a.m. to noon for six Fridays, Sept. 26 to Oct. 31. Students will use acrylic paints to learn how to paint subjects in a landscape, layer by layer through demonstration, practice time and open class critique. Instructor Anita F. Poulin.

“Genealogy For Beginners”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Fridays, Sept. 26 to Nov. 14. For people interested in developing their family tree, this course will show how to get started using genealogy forms and record keeping. Instructor Robert Pelletier has taught genealogy and is a long-standing member of the Maine Franco-American Genealogical Society.

“More Laughs from Dave Barry”: 1 to 3 p.m. for five Fridays, Sept/ 26 to Oct. 24. This is a sequel to instructor David Bernier’s previous course, “The Humor of Dave Barry,” and promises to continue to tickle your funny bone.

Course registration is by mail only, with registration closing Friday, Sept. 12. Registration forms are available at the Senior College office and can also be downloaded from the website. Some courses have limited enrollment and early registration is advised. For more information, call 753-6610 or visit usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege.