LEWISTON — The Senior College program at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College will offer 24 courses in the fall semester from Sept. 18 through Nov. 18.

Now in its 18th year, the upcoming semester will feature both new and continuation courses. Open to everyone 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, 2015, through Aug. 31, 2016, is required. Members who attend a course will have access to the campus library, computer lab and to free Senior College winter courses.

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. No classes will be held on Oct. 12 and Nov. 11.

The 2015 fall semester course offerings are:

The Gods and Us: Religion and the Human Career: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Sept. 21 to Nov. 2. This course by Steven Piker, Ph.D., will explore the universality of religion in individual lives and in the workings of communities and cultures.

Humanity — A Search for Meaning and Identity: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Sept. 28 to Nov. 9. The journey from the Ego to the Id and the centrality of mankind’s greed is the basis for this course which will discuss and analyze the novel, “Heart of Darkness,” by Joseph Conrad. Instructor George Blouin has more than 30 years of teaching English, speech and drama.

Introduction to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Desktop: 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 21 to Nov. 16. This course will provide familiarization with the Windows systems, as well as computer operation and parts, desktop fundamentals, the Internet, networking and emails. The course will be held in the Computer Lab using its computers. Instructor Thomas Barden teaches computer courses at the Senior College in Augusta.

Discovering Watercolor: 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 21 to Nov. 16, at SeniorsPlus in Lewiston. Students will learn to use watercolor paint with a background of drawing in pencil and pen. No previous experience required. Instructor Helen “Joie” Crockett has a BFA degree and has taught drawing for the Senior College.

Intermediate French: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10. This continuing course is for those who already have some skills in French and interested in acquiring additional fluency. Instructor Ann Anctil earned an M.A. in French and is bilingual in both Canadian and standard French.

Jewelry Making: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Oct. 13. This course will provide instruction and opportunities to create necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets. Instructor Lorraine Giasson has a M.A. and has been making jewelry for six years.

You and Your Brain, and How to Optimize its Fitness: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. Students will learn how the human brain develops and the activities that will improve its fitness. Instructor Charles W. Plummer, Ph.D., has taught many courses for the Senior College.

Understanding Investments: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10. This course will provide basic investing rules, studying the stock and bond markets, annuities, mutual funds, retirement healthcare needs and estate planning. Instructor Andrew Saucier is a certified financial adviser with Edward Jones Investments.

Phun with Physics (Nuclear): 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Oct. 13. Students will explore the amazing but mysterious world of sub-atomic science while learning about the atom and atomic energy. Instructor Hugh Keene holds an advanced degree in physics and chaired the science department at Edward Little High School.

Jubilados: Platicando y Practicando: 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10. This Spanish course is for advanced students using previous texts. Instructor Barbara Oliver has studied in Madrid and has taught Foreign Language Methodology.

Poetry Workshop: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. Writers at all levels are welcome to this course providing creative opportunities through poetry writing, sharing and critiquing of participants’ work. Instructor Bill Frayer has degrees in English Literature and Adult Education, has published poetry collections and participated in writing workshops.

Badly Behaved Women: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 21. This course examines the history of a group of European women, some well-known, others not so well-known, but all notable for their outstanding lives. Instructor Christine Holden, Ph.D., originated courses in European and U.S. Women’s History at University of Southern Maine.

Forgotten Nuggets of Memory: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. This writing course will help participants make their memoirs special by helping to discover the “nuggets” in their lives. Instructors Pauline L. Fortin and Leelaine R. Picker are experienced teachers with degrees in English and Political Science.

True Womanhood and Women’s Activism in 19th Century America: 1 to 3p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Nov. 18. This course examines the effects of increasing activism in relation to the then-prevailing role of women in American society. Instructor Jean Potuchek, Ph.D., taught sociology at Bates College and Gettysburg College.

I Always Wanted to Perform Improv Comedy: 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 23 to Oct. 28. Back by popular demand, this course provides the basic elements of improvisation through games and skits, making 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.

Advanced Conversational French: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 24 to Nov. 12. This continuation course is for students seeking to improve their conversational skills. Not for beginners. Instructor Ann Anctil earned a M.A. in French and is bilingual in both Canadian French and standard French.

The Reformation: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 24 to Nov. 12. This religious history course will examine the reform movement of Martin Luther which led to the rise of Protestantism in opposition to the Catholic Church. Instructor Alan Elze has taught many courses in a variety of subjects at Senior College.

Made in Maine: The Artists Who Brought Maine to Life: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. This course will provide insight into the life, character and genius of our major artists whose works enable us to further appreciate Maine’s natural beauty. Instructor Kirsten Larsen-Turley has extensive experience as a senior docent at several Maine museums.

Great Ideas in Economics and Why They Matter: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29. Presenting the basic ideas and theories of economics including the laws of supply and demand, setting of prices, the law of diminishing returns and the market structure of the American economy, the course will use a variety of media to assist students’ understanding. Instructor Alene Staley taught business courses at Maine colleges for more than 15 years.

All 59 U.S. National Parks: 1 to 3 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 1 to Oct. 22, at Schooner Estates in Auburn. Repeating by popular demand, and with the addition of more Parks, Instructor Joanne Lebel shares her visits to the many wonders of our National Parks.

Stories of World War II in Fiction, Film and Fact: 9:30 a.m. to noon Fridays, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30. This course will focus on the Pearl Harbor attack, Japanese-American internment camps, preparation for D-Day, and the role of the Tuskegee Airmen. Instructor David Bernier is an educator who taught 30 years in Lewiston schools.

Painting with Acrylics: 10 a.m. to noon Fridays, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30. This course is for persons with experience with mixing colors and painting. Not a beginner course. Classes consist of demonstrations, student painting, and critique. Instructor Anita Poulin is a registered Maine graphic and fine art artist and owner of Greenwood Gallery.

Genealogy Online (and Off): 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 18 to Nov. 13. This course provides strategies and resources for online genealogical research, recording types, locations, and organizing finds. Students should be comfortable using a computer. Instructor Ethelind Wright has an M.A. in American and New England Studies with more than three decades of genealogy study.

Introduction to Spanish: 1 to 3 p.m. Fridays, Sept. 25 to Oct. 30. This continuation course concentrates on basic speaking skills as used by travelers and tourists for shopping, sight-seeing, and restaurants. Instructor Jean Roy taught foreign languages for 29 years at Lewiston High School.

Course registration is by mail only, with registration closing Friday, Sept. 11. Registration forms can be downloaded from the website. Some courses have limited enrollment, and early registration is advised.

FMI: 207-753-6610, usm.maine.edu/seniorcollege.