LEWISTON — The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer 25 courses in the spring semester, March 23 through May 22.

Now in its 17th year, the college’s upcoming semester will feature both new and continuation courses, ranging from plant biology, Spanish and French language studies, drawing basics, painting and art appreciation, Civil War leadership, poetry and literature and Great Decisions discussions, 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 below.

The 2015 spring semester course offerings are as follows:

“Health, Illness and Culture”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Mondays, March 23 to May 4. This course by Mark Silber, Ph.D, will focus on medical anthropology and the interface between human ecology and culture and its relation to health.

“Introduction to Spanish”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for four Mondays, March 23 to April 13. This introductory course concentrates on the language as used by travelers and tourists for shopping, sight-seeing and restaurants. Instructor Jean Roy taught 29 years at Lewiston High School.

“19th Century Women Poets”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Mondays, March 23 to April 27. This course will study the lives and works of American poets Emily Dickinson, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Amy Lowell. Instructor June Spear has been an educator for 37 years.

“Marilyn: A Film Retrospective”: 1 to 3:30 p.m. for five Mondays, March 23 to April 20. This film program will screen a choice selection of Marilyn Monroe’s most successful movies, from the musical “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” the comedies “How to Marry a Millionaire,” “The Seven Year Itch” and “Some Like It Hot,” and the drama “The Misfits.” Instructor Ralph Tuttle has presented an extensive series of film programs for Senior College.

“Drawing Basics & Beyond”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Mondays, March 23 to May 11. This is a drawing class for all skill levels. Instructor Linda DeSantis taught art fundamentals, art history, design, drawing and painting. She holds a B.A. in art education.

“Beginning/Intermediate French”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Tuesdays, March 24 to May 12. This course is for those wishing to learn the language basics and also for those interested in acquiring more skills. Instructor Ann P. Anctil earned a M.A in French from the University of Maine and is bilingual in both Canadian and standard French.

“Forests of Lilliput”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for four Tuesdays, April 21 to May 12. This course will provide an introduction to non-flowering plants and their biology using specimens and photographs to examine the miniature world of earth’s oldest and most primitive plants. Instructor Jeff Pengel is a former science teacher and geologist, and is a Maine Master naturalist.

“Warrior Generals and Combat Leadership in the Civil War”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Tuesdays, March 24 to May 12, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. This course examines the combat leadership of three pairs of Union and Confederate generals and the battles in which they fought. Instructor Charles W. Plummer, Ph.D, has taught many courses for Senior College.

“Speaking and Acting”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Tuesdays, March 24 to May 19. This new course will develop confidence in how to deliver a line, making characters believable and overcoming speaking nervousness. For the beginning public speaker or anyone wishing to refresh acting fundamentals. Instructor David Baker’s theatrical experience includes that of an actor, stage manager and director in England and the U.S., most recently with the Freeport Players.

“The Agony and Ecstasy of Being Who You Are”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Tuesdays, March 24 to May 19. This workshop-style course provides learning about eight different psychological types and personalities and how to work and play with those types. Instructor Elizabeth Rodenz, Ph.D, has been a long-time student of the work of C.J. Jung and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and has published several books on the subject.

“Jubilados: Practicando y Platicando”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Tuesdays, March 24 to May 19. This is a continuation of the advanced Spanish courses using previous texts. Instructor Barbara Oliver has taught foreign language methodology and has studied in Madrid.

“Humanity’s Everlasting Search for Meaning and Identity”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Wednesdays, March 25 to April 29. This course is a study of author Albert Camus and his novel “The Stranger,” which deals with a murder and trial that attempts to explain if any reality exists in our world. Instructor George R. Blouin has over 30 years of teaching English, speech and drama.

“Spiritual Grounding for Seniors”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Wednesdays, March 25 to April 29.This course explores the degree of spirituality in our lives, the difference between religion and spirituality, and how elders express the everyday sacred. For over 35 years, instructor Marguerite Stapleton has created and led retreats, workshops and conferences helping men and women uncover their spirituality.

“About Impressionism”: 1 to 3 p.m. for six Wednesdays, March 25 to April 29. This course will consider Impressionism as an art movement, a theory, a style and a cultural phenomenon. Instructor Michael Everett is an oil painter living in Auburn and previously taught a Senior College course on Canada’s Group of Seven landscape painters.

“Great Decisions Discussions”: 1 to 3 p.m. for six Wednesdays, March 25 to April 29. Based on the Foreign Policy Association program, this course encourages debate and discussion of important global issues to reach informed opinions. Discussion leaders are Patricia Vampatella, chair of Senior College Board, and Marty Gagnon, adult services manager at the Auburn Public Library.

“Digging for Hidden Nuggets”: 1 to 4 p.m. for eight Wednesdays, March 25 to May 17. 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.

“Advanced Conversational French”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Thursdays, March 26 to May 14. This continuation course is for students seeking to improve their conversational skills. Not for beginners. Instructor Ann P. Anctil earned an M.A. in French from the University of Maine.

“Short Stories of Nathaniel Hawthorne”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for eight Thursdays, March 26 to May 14. This course will examine Hawthorne’s large volume of short stories, although lesser-known than his more familiar novels. Instructor Alan Elze has taught many courses in a variety of subjects at Senior College.

“The Three Wyeths: An American Dynasty”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Thursdays, March 26 to April 30. Explore the lives and artistic careers of each of the Wyeths — N.C., Andrew and Jamie — whose talents changed America’s view of art. Instructor Kirsten Larsson-Turley is a senior docent at several Maine museums.

“Special Destinations”: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for four Thursdays, March 26 to April 16. This popular group travel course provides visits to two new destinations as well as to two previously visited favorites. Instructor Dorothy Rupert is a retired teacher and a past member of the Senior College Board.

“Powers of the Executive Branch”: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for six Fridays, April 3 to May 8. Torn from current headlines, this course will examine the real powers of the office of the President as enumerated in the Constitution and as challenged by some members of the U.S. Congress. Instructor Crystal Ward taught American government at Lewiston High School.

“Painting a Landscape in Acrylics”: 10 a.m. to noon for six Fridays, March 27 to May 1. Students will use acrylic paints in following instructor’s demonstration to a finished landscape. Instructor Anita F. Poulin is a registered Maine graphic and fine art artist.

“Forests and Fields of Maine”: 1 to 3 p.m. for six Fridays, March 27 to May 1. This course will explore Maine’s natural landscapes and the impact on plant and animal communities. Instructor Pam Davis Green is a Maine naturalist with interests in botany and ecosystems.

“Exploring Humanitarian Law”: 1 to 3 p.m. for eight Fridays, March 27 to May 15. An introduction to the basic rules and principles of International Humanitarian Law and how it aims to protect life and human dignity during armed conflict. Instructor Kevin J. Michaud is a delegate to the International Red Cross and served in Rwanda during the Genocide of 1994.

“Painting a Seascape in Acrylics”: 1 to 3 p.m. for six Fridays, March 27 to May 1. Students will use acrylic paints in following instructor’s demonstration to a finished seascape. Instructor Anita F. Poulin is a registered Maine graphic and fine art artist.

Course registration is by mail only, with registration closing Friday, March 13. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website at usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege. Some courses have limited enrollment and early registration is advised. For more information call 753-6610 or go to the website.