Classes began today at the Harvard Alumni College, a little-known adjunct to the Summer School.

Instituted in 1971, the Alumni College offers 150 alumni three one-week courses in different topics. This year's topics are "Mid-life and After: Aspects of Aging in America," "The Heritage of Classical Civilization," and "The Arts of Asia."

The courses are open to Harvard alumni, Radcliffe alumnae, graduate school alumni, and families of students and alumni, and to others only when space is available. About 200 people are now on a waiting list for the courses.