For 11 years Coastal Senior College (CSC) has offered interesting, exciting and sometimes provocative classes to adults 50 or older and this group of spring courses that begin March 4 is no exception. In addition to 16 regular classes, and three on-going groups, a free home energy clinic is scheduled. As usual, a mix of veteran and new instructors promises to challenge and inform students.

“Israel: Insights Into Its History & Its Contemporary Political & Social Conflicts,” taught by Rabbi Steve Shaw, explores the history of Zionism, the founding of the state in 1948 and the reasons for the continuing hostility of almost all of its neighbors. Ethan Stanley presents “Four Great Modern Plays,” discussing works of Ibsen, Miller, Williams, and Shaw. “Things That Go Bump In The Night: Rochester & Heathcliff;” and “Oh, To Be In England In Springtime,” a poetry class, start the list.

“Form In Nature & Design,” taught by Arnold J. Aho, is a course investigating the interactions of matter and energies in three-dimensional space. Rolf Winkes presents “Masters, But Never Acrylics,” consisting of four lectures with highlights from the history of Roman painting. “A Nation Of Immigrants;” “The American Century, Part One;” “How to ‘Cut & Prune’ Your Memoir;” “The Devil Made Me Do It – Understanding The Witch-Craze & Persecutions In Early Modern Society;” and “Left Behind? Lost Out In Left Field? Breaking the Code Of The Book Of Revelation;” are more of the exciting offerings this spring.

Bob Brown’s “The Maine Lobster Industry, By One Who Grew Up In It,” shares a life-long lobsterman's devotion to his occupation. “Dante’s Divine Comedy & The Modern World,” lead by Harold Schramm, features a close reading of Dante's great epic poem with a concentration on The Inferno. “Maine’s Natural History;” “The Story Of You: Gathering The Story You Have Within You;” and “Europe Exposed” round out the list of regular classes.

Three on-going groups plus a special home energy clinic free to CSC members complete the schedule. "Writer's Group", "CSC Coffee House", and "Challenge of Change", are on-going. A oneday brown bag event, "Home Energy Clinic" meets in Cushing, Union, or Boothbay Harbor.

Regular courses are $30 for members and the $25 membership fee entitles individuals to enroll in all statewide senior college courses as well as those offered by CSC through the end of the 2013 fiscal year. Scholarships are available to help defray the cost of CSC membership and classes by contacting Dawn Marie at University College at Rockland.

With a membership of over 300, CSC, dedicated to enriching lives through the joy of lifelong learning, is one of the state’s largest senior colleges. Register now by calling 800-286-1594 800-286-1594 and visit coastalseniorcollege.org for more details about courses.