The diverse offerings begin in September with talks by two of the nation’s most prominent thinkers and the premiere of a one-woman play based on a holocaust-era diary.

The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals at Harvard University and minister of Harvard University’s Memorial Church, will discuss The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart 4 p.m. Sept. 9, in the Muskie Archives, 70 Campus Ave.

Cornel West, professor of Afro-American studies and philosophy of religion at Harvard, will talk about The Matter(s) of Race on Sept. 12 in the Alumni Gymnasium.

A Thinking Heart: The Diary of Etty Hillesum, directed by Ellen Seeling and featuring actress Suzanne Sturn, is based on the writings of a young woman who lived in Holland during the Nazi occupation. Performances will be given Sept. 11 through Sept. 14.

The college publishes a semester-long cultural calendar of events and a monthly calendar of more up-to-date information. Anyone interested in receiving these Bates calendars should call 207-786-6330.