Edna St. Vincent Millay: Savage Beauty

Instructor: Barbara Randall
February 15, 2008, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Millay, a Maine native, did much in unifying the disillusioned WWI generation against Victorian values. Her poetry—being romantic, fresh, and innocent in its love with nature—made her a favorite with many. Readings and a video will be utilized in becoming familiar with this Pulitzer Prize-winning poet.

The Psychological Interpretation of Fairy Tales

Instructor: Charles Plummer
March 5, 2008, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Of the various types of mythological literature, fairy tales are the simplest and purest expression of the collective unconscious, and offer the clearest understanding of the basic forms of the human psyche. Every people or nation has its own way of expressing psychic reality, thus a study of the world's fairy tales yields a wealth of insights into the archetypal experiences of human kind. We will begin with a history of the study of fairy tales and the various theories of interpretation. By way of illustration, we will conduct a detailed examination of a simple Grimms' tale titled "The Three Feathers," followed by a comprehensive discussion of motifs related to Jung's concept of the shadow, the mania, and the animus.

Painting the Picturesque – The Hudson Valley School of Painters

Instructor: Alan Elze
March 20, 2008, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM

From the 1820's through the 1870's there arose in the new nation, a group of painters who were awed by the Hudson River's landscape. Later dubbed "Hudson River School," they painted the "divine architecture" of mountains, hollows, and waters of the Hudson. Later, they expanded their views to places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Mexico, and Rome. This class will examine the main painters of this school through lecture and slides of important dates.

Social Deviance and Its Role in Historical and Modern Society

8 Mondays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 2008; class limit 30

The primary goal of this course is to undertake an examination of the complex topic of deviance and develop an understanding of how major sociological theories have attempted to define its role in historical and modern society. The application of those definitions has a direct impact on areas of social life including the mental health profession, systems of deterrence, the judicial system, and the arts, and raises the question, who do we medicate, educate and incarcerate?

Instructor Charles W. Plummer, a long-time Senior College instructor, at both the USM Lewiston-Auburn and Midcoast Senior College programs, holds degrees in Education, Administration and Supervision, and in Religious Studies and Metaphysics. He is a retired educator and administrator who spent nearly 30 years with the Auburn school system. He then spent several years as a parent educator and counselor. A Civil War historian, he travels widely doing living-history presentations as famous Civil War generals.

Cotton Theory Quilting

4 Mondays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 24, 31, April 7, 14, 2008; class limit 6

Students will need to bring to class:

1. Sewing machine in good running order with a walking foot (if you have one)
2. Scissors, cutting mat and rotary cutter, pins, seam ripper
3. Six (6) 10 x 10 inch squares of fabric for side one (1); and six (6) 10 x10 inch batting squares (no polyester batting)
4. On the reverse side, you can use scraps or a variety of strips of fabric cut from 1½ inch to 3 inches wide.

You will bring your fabric and batting and cut it in class.

Instructor: Leona Lebrun is a graduate of Husson College with a BS in Business Administration. She has taken several classes to improve her sewing and quilting skills. Quilting has been her hobby for over 10 years.

More Survival Spanish

5 Mondays; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; March 31, April 7, 14, 21, 28, 2008; class limit 30

Classes will include listening and speaking exercises. Present tense and infinitive verb forms from the Fall 2007 semester will be drilled. Along with limited new material, vocabulary and grammar will also be reviewed.

Instructor: Barbara Oliver has traveled extensively in Spanish-speaking countries. Her knowledge of language teaching methodology and her success in classes in Spanish have enabled her to "survive" as a non-native speaker of Spanish. She holds an MA from Middlebury College in French and has taught Foreign Language Methods at William and Mary College.

A New Look at Basic Math

4 Tuesdays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 2008; class limit 20

This course will provide a new look at fractions, decimals, percents and the metric system from a different perspective. If you have bad vibes about any of the above, you may like this approach. Also a few other math bits will be included at no extra cost!

Instructor: Bruce LePage is a retired teacher from the Auburn School System. He has 35 years of experience in teaching basic math through geometry.

Laughter (Tee-Hee)

6 Tuesdays; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; March 25, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 28, 2008; class limit 20

Did you know laughter lowers your blood pressure? Using materials from Dr. Annette Goodheart and others, we will explore laughter as therapy, as catharsis, and as fun, but never as put-downs. Laugh and the world laughs with you!

Instructor: Ila Green's background includes degrees from UMO and USM. Of added importance is her education from 65 years of living with extended family members. Her experience includes over 35 years working in Maine schools as teacher and guidance counselor. She has had the privilege of attending Dr. Goodheart's workshops on two occasions.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow – Our Native Son

6 Wednesdays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2008; class limit 16

An overview of the life and work of one of Maine's most famous and prolific writers. We will explore some of this well-known writing as well as some more obscure pieces, and get a glimpse of his life in Victorian-era Portland and elsewhere.

Instructor: June P. Spear is a graduate of U Mass at Amherst (BA) and State College at Framingham, MA, (M.ED). She taught for 37 years in Massachusetts, Connecticut and Europe, retiring from Central Maine Technical College (now CMCC) in December 1997.

Advanced Reader's Theatre

8 Wednesdays; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; March 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14, 2008; class limit 20

This is a course restricted to those who have already taken basic Reader's Theatre. Students will learn action, directing and staging.

Instructor: Before his retirement, Hugh Keene taught in the public schools for 38 years. Although his subject was physics, he was also director of dramatics for Edward Little High School, and he produced and directed over 60 student productions.

Comfort Food Made Simple – Men Welcome

6 Wednesdays; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 2008; class limit 10

Some people think making meatloaf is simple, to others it is a mystery. This course will share with men, and others, the secrets of cooking made simple. Yes, we shall cook. This class will also provide recipes from men who do like to cook. Class discussion will include new kitchen tools, cookbooks, magazines, web sites, etc. and recipe sharing – and how to store those recipes. So bring your recipes and aprons and join me in my kitchen at Sabbathday Lake.

Instructor: Cathy Thorpe, like her mother, has enjoyed cooking for many years as a hobby. She is a student of cookbooks, magazines, websites, recipe sharing, etc. She prefers to cook with fresh ingredients. Her husband, Bob, is the beneficiary of her culinary efforts. Cathy's kitchen is simple, in that it has a regular electric range and a microwave. Nothing fancy. The large kitchen island with the kitchen open to the living room makes the space work for groups.

Sabbathday Lake – directions will be mailed before the class begins.

Romeo & Juliet - The Summer Opera

4 Thursdays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 2008; class limit 25

A 4-week course presenting musical works based on Romeo & Juliet and other compositions by Charles Gounod. The course will be enhanced with video.

Instructor: John Serrage is a retired pediatrician and archeologist. He started studying music at the age of five. At age six, he began attending operas regularly. His musical background includes piano and organ studies. He is an active musician and an opera and Broadway musical buff.

The Wonders of Mathematics

4 Thursdays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; April 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2008; class limit 25

Ever fear math or wish you understood it better? This course will enable you to discover how complex things can really be simple. Stories and visuals will open the world around you. Experience math in music, art, nature and more. A great mathematics awareness course guaranteed to amaze and inform you.

Instructor: Eleanor Pelletier has had a diverse teaching career of 42 years and has taught at USM and UMA for over 22 years. She has also worked in the private sector in various capacities. She studied at Boston University and holds degrees from Boston State College and the University of Maine. Some of her many interests include gardening, vegetarianism, preventive medicine, nature study, and travel.

Robert E. Lee and His High Command

6 Thursdays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 2008; class limit 25

Designed for those with an interest in Civil War History, the focus of this course is an examination of Robert E. Lee and his high command of the Army of Northern Virginia. We will engage such questions as why Lee and his army are central to an understanding of the Civil War, how their operations influenced the Northern and Southern home fronts, why he was so successful as a field commander, and what kind of officers flourished and failed under his leadership. A primary goal is to develop an understanding of how and why Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia came to be the most important national institution in the Confederacy. We will explore the careers of Lee and thirteen other generals in detail, assessing their contributions to famous military campaigns, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses as officers, and seeking to create descriptive and analytical portrait of a storied army’s high command.

Instructors: Charles W. Plummer has taught many courses for both the USM Lewiston-Auburn and Midcoast Senior College programs. He holds degrees in Education, Administration and Supervision, and in Religious Studies and Metaphysics. He is a retired educator and administrator who spent nearly 30 years with the Auburn school system. He then spent several years as a parent educator and counselor. Dennis Sweetser is a retired chemistry teacher from Edward Little High School. He is a 1962 Bates College graduate who taught chemistry for 42 years. He has taught Senior College courses on Maine and the Civil War and the American Revolutionary War.

Introduction to the Old Testament

8 Thursdays; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; March 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 2008; class limit 25

Our present day Bibles are separated into the Old and New Testaments. This course will highlight the Old Testament, how it is divided, and the important people and events. The instructor will present how it has come down to its present state with its different translations.

Instructor: Alan Elze has taught various courses for Senior College. He has undergraduate degrees in history and religion, and a graduate degree in American History and Museum Science. Elze has had an interest in the history of different religious groups for many years.

Taking Pictures the Digital Way

6 Fridays; 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM; March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2008; class limit 20

This is an interactive class! This is an introduction to digital photography. What can you do with a digital camera? Is it expensive? This course will cover such things as which camera is best, how to send pictures over the internet, features of different cameras, etc.

Instructor: Alan Elze has 30 years experience with 35mm film cameras and digital cameras. He has used slides acquired from 25 years in the Navy for his previous Senior College classes.

Computers for Seniors

8 Fridays; 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM; March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 2008; class limit 12

This course will expand the participants' computer horizons by working with Microsoft Word, email and the internet. Class members are expected to possess a working knowledge of Windows and have keyboard and mouse skills. One session will be devoted to learning how to make travel plans and reservations by accessing various web sites. This is a fast paced class.

Instructor: Wayne Holllingworth is a retired social worker for the Department of Human Services, and has taught several computer courses at Senior College.

Food for Thought Luncheon Series

Time: Noon to 1:00 PM (doors open at 11:30 AM)
Place: Function Room of Lewiston-Auburn College, Room 170

Fee includes lunch:

• $6.50 with advance reservations
• $8 at the door

Reservations must be made by noon of the previous day at 753-6510 or online at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/seniorcollege. The phone line will not be checked after 12:00 noon. Late calls will be considered "at the door".

• March 14, 2008 (noon to 1:30)
  Lunch with the Senior College Spring Semester Presenters. Registrations will be accepted.
• April 11, 2008
  Marcy Covey: A Cambodian Wedding
• May 9, 2008
  Hugh Keene: The Nature of Scientific Thought
• June 13, 2008
  June Spear: Colorful Days and Nights in Russia