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Study in Greece - Art, Archaeology, History and Mythology of Ancient Greece
Program Information | Location Information | Courses Available | Eligibility | Costs | Deadlines & Dates | Orientation | Housing | What's Next? | Photos | Helpful Links
| PROGRAM TERMS | May 2010 |
| PROGRAM DATES | May 16-June 4, 2010 |
| CLASS STANDING | Sophomore, Junior, Senior |
| DEADLINE TO APPLY |
February 20, 2010 |
| FEES | TBD |
| FINANCIAL AID | Yes |
| GPA | 2.5 |
| LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION |
English |
Program Information
Greece is the cradle of western civilization. The art, philosophy, architecture, science, music, and poetry, which we enjoy, all had their origin in this beautiful Mediterranean country. Encircled by the “wine-dark sea” of which Homer sang Greece is a modern country, which cherishes its noble ancient past. From mountainous Delphi, sacred to the God Apollo, through Corinth's fragrant heights, Athens the cultural center of the ancient world, to the Greek islands of Mykonos, Delos, Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Crete, from its miles of beaches to its most hidden sacred caves, Greece offers travelers an unforgettable and rich experience. This once in a life-time opportunity will offer the student the unique opportunity to explore many of the ancient mysteries of Greece from the Bronze Age to the modern period. We will discover the rich cultural heritage of ancient Greece, its archaeological, historical, and ethnographic character in a most rewarding trip through a country filled with monuments, majestic mountains, brilliant blue sky and turquoise waters, and warm and friendly inhabitants. On this trip, you will “Come Home to Greece” in a very real sense.
Senior faculty member at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Professor Ron Marchese, will lead the program. Dr. Marchese is an expert on ancient history and archaeology. He has traveled extensively in Europe, the Middle East and Greece.
Location Information
In its Classical Period (500-336 BC), Athens reached its political and cultural heights: the full development of the democratic system of government under the Athenian statesman Pericles; the building of the Parthenon on the Acropolis; the creation of the tragedies of Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides; and the founding of the philosophical schools of Socrates and Plato. During the Hellenistic Period (336-146 BC) between the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great and the establishment of Roman supremacy, Greek culture and learning were pre-eminent in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. This excursion into antiquity will bring students to Athens, a number of Greek islands as well as mainland sites.
You will see that Greece is more than the Classical Age, and more than Athens. A deep and mysterious mythology also exists which defined the world of the Bronze Age (3000 – 1200 BC) – a period of time filled with sacred groves, mountain top sanctuaries, and palaces. From the Minoan palaces on Crete and the brilliant palace on Santorini to the heroic residences at Mycenae and Tiryns, Bronze Age Greece rivaled ancient Egypt in grandeur. The Archaic Age (750-500) is also the rebirth of Greece prior to the Classical Period. This was a period of great experimentation, new artistic designs and great social causes, much of which is reflected in the poems of Archaic Greek writers.
Much of the above development in Greek art and culture, however, is best reflected in the city of Athens as it grew from a small fortified habitation on top of the Acropolis rock into one of the most powerful city -states of the ancient world in the Classical period. It produced some of the most famous philosophers, artists and writers: Socrates, Plato, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Phidias and many, many more. Through the centuries, Athens absorbed the near-by smaller towns, finally dominating the whole of Attica, creating one of the most powerful alliances in ancient Greece. In time, Athens abolished royalty and became the first democracy in the world, a fact that helped it to grow even more, becoming so powerful that was able to fight off foreign invaders like the ancient Persians. With the assistance of other Greek cities, it won famous battles such as those of Marathon and Salamis, a preamble to the final conquest of Persia by one of the world's greatest military leaders, Alexander the Great.
As is natural, Athens is full of museums and archaeological sites of the utmost interest, as more or less, is all of Greece, and one can almost follow the glory that Athens was through a visit to the National Archaeological museum, the Acropolis museum, the museum of Keramikos and the ancient Acropolis where one of the architectural wonders of the world, the Parthenon, the temple devoted to the goddess Athena, can be seen and admired.
Greece is the oldest democracy, but has veered from democracy occasionally. Two thirds of the country is hilly or mountainous, and it has over 9,000 islands. The climate is warm and dry in the summer and a little cooler in the winter when it receives most of its rainfall. Modern Athens, a city of about 4,000,000, is a cosmopolitan city which offers the foreign visitor unlimited possibilities for excursions, sightseeing, and nightlife.
Courses Available
Students will complete FST 3160 Study in Greece: Art, Archaeology, History and Mythology of Ancient Greece, which is a 3-credit course.
The tentative itinerary for the program/course is as follows:
May 16, Sunday: USA-ATHENS. Departure from Minneapolis to Greece.
Day 1 MAY 17 Monday: ATHENS - ARRIVAL. Arrival in Athens. Transfer to your centrally located hotel, check in and meet at 6.30pm for welcome dinner in Plaka. Overnight in Athens Hotel Amazon or similar. (D)
Day 2 MAY 18 Tuesday: ATHENS – SOUNION – LAVRION Meet your guide Smaro after breakfast. On foot guided visit of the Acropolis or walking tour around the old town. After lunch (not included) meet bus and travel the Attica coast for guided visit of Sounion and Lavrion. Return late afternoon to the seaside suburb of Kavouri for dinner (included) at traditional tavern. Overnight in Athens Hotel Amazon or similar (B, D)
Day 3 MAY 19 Wednesday: ATHENS Guided visit to the Acropolis in the morning and the New Museum of Acropolis (introduction by guide). Overnight in Athens Hotel Amazon or similar. (B)
Day 4 MAY 20 Thursday: ATHENS Morning guided visits at Agora and Kerameikos. Afternoon guided visit of the National Archaeological Museum. Overnight in Athens Hotel Amazon or similar. (B)
Day 5 MAY 21 Friday: ATHENS – NAXOS Morning transfer by bus with your private guide to the port for embarking on the boat for the island of Naxos, the most fertile island of the Cyclades. Upon arrival, departure by bus for tour of NAXOS to visit the Kouros statue in Melanes, the Byzantine church of Drosiani, the traditional village of Chalki, the potter’s (‘Damalas’) and weaver’s studios, the distillery; visit the scenic Temple of Dimitra at Sagri (pending on arrival time); and the olive oil co-op. Transfer by the hotel bus to Hotel Grotta or similar. Dinner (included). Overnight at Hotel Princess of Naxos . (B,D)
Day 6 MAY 22 Saturday: NAXOS Half free day. Morning tour on foot of the Temple. Overnight at Hotel Princess of Naxos. (B)
Day 7 MAY 23 Sunday: NAXOS - SANTORINI Morning visit of the Archeological Museum (pending opening hours), the Venetian Castro and the Old Town. Around 11am transfer by hotel bus to the port of Naxos for boat to Santorini, the volcanic island which thought to be the lost Atlantis. Arrival late afternoon. Transfer by bus to your hotel. Dinner overlooking the caldera. Overnight Hotel Melina or similar (B,D)
Day 8 MAY 24. Monday: SANTORINI Morning walk to Prehistoric Museum to see the findings of Acrotiri. Then, meet bus for tour of Santorini, visit Oia, the scenic town, the monastery of Prophet Elias - for view of Santorini - and a local winery, Santos. Stop at the beach of Perissa to swim if time permits. Dinner at your own expense in local tavern in Fira or Oia (Suggestion: Tavern “Neptune” in Oia). Overnight in Santorini Hotel Melina or similar.(B)
Day 9 MAY 25 Tuesday: SANTORINI - CRETE Morning free in Santorini. Visit the Nomicos Foundation with copies of the frescoes of Akrotiri. Late afternoon, transfer by bus from the hotel to the port. Late afternoon boat departure to Iraklion, the capital of Crete. Evening arrival. Bus transfer to Hotel Lato or similar for overnight. (B)
Day 10 MAY 26. Wednesday: CRETE Morning departure with private bus for guided visit of the Palace of King Minos, in Knossos. Lunch on your own in Archanes (suggested tavern ‘Spitiko’ 2810 751591), visit the Peza co-op winery to buy olive and wine products. Continue to town to visit the Arch. Museum in Heraklion (one room is open with major findings on display) and group dinner in selected ouzo place. Overnight in Iraklion Hotel Lato. (B, D)
Day 11 MAY 27. Thursday: CRETE Morning departure with private bus for guided visit of the famous Palace Festos and Gortyna. Lunch on your own in the village of Matala, Kommo or Kalamaki. Possibility for swimming. Late afternoon transfer by hotel bus (for the luggage) to the port for departure with overnight ferry (9:00pm) back to Piraeus. Accommodation in 4-berth first class cabins and singles for the professors/guide on board. (B).
Day 12 MAY 28 Friday: ELEUSIS and MYCENAE –Morning arrival in Piraeus. Meet your bus driver. Have breakfast on the way and continue day trip to Eleusis and Mycenae by private bus and guide. Visit the site and museum and return to Corinth overnight at the Marino Hotel. (B)
Day 13 MAY 29 Saturday: Visit Ancient Corinth in the morning. Lunch on your own on the way Olympia. Overnight in Olympia and the Europa Hotel (if possible) and dinner. (B,D)
Day 14 MAY 30 Sunday: Visit Ancient Olympia and the museums. Overnight in Olympia. (B)
Day 15 May 31 Monday: half day nature excursion, rest of the day free. (B)
Day 16 June 1: Morning departure to DELPHI and afternoon visit to the museum (opens after 12n on Mondays). Lunch (included instead of dinner) in Delphi in tavern “Bacchus” or similar. Dinner on your own. Drive to Arachova for overnight at Hotel Likoria or similar. (B, L)
Day 17 JUNE 2 Tuesday: Morning visit of the Oracle of Delphi – afternoon departure to ATHENS via Ossios Loucas for visit monastery or continue to Thebes Museum -if open- would close at 3pm. Overnight in Athens Hotel Amazon or similar. (B)
Day 18 JUNE 3 Wednesday: ATHENS Free day in Athens. Suggestions: Day trip to nearby island of Aegina or visit of the Benaki Museum, Byzantine Museum or Cycladic Museum (pending on opening times). At 7.30pm meet in the hotel for farewell dinner in selected tavern. Overnight in Athens hotel Amazon or similar.(B, D)
Day 19 JUNE 4 Thursday: ATHENS – USA Morning departure by private bus for Athens airport for return flight to the US (B)
(B)=Breakfast
(D)=Dinner
Eligibility
Participants MUST have a passport, valid for at least 6 months after their return to the U.S. Students also should be in good academic standing.
Costs
The program package cost is to be determined. A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be billed to your student account and a deposit of $400 will be billed to your student account upon your confirmation of participation. The remainder of the program fee will be billed through Student Accounts Receivable.
The program package price includes:
- UMD Tuition
- Accommodation in triple and few double rooms with all facilities in superior tourist class hotels in Athens, Naxos, Santorini, Delphi and Crete
- Daily breakfast
- 6 ( six )dinners/lunches including a welcome and farewell dinner during tour
- English speaking guide /lecturer through out the tour
- Bus transportation as per itinerary with comfortable a/c motor coach and selected driver in Athens and the islands
- Transfers to/from ports on all islands and Athens
- Ferry accommodation to/from Crete in comfortable 4-berth cabins
- Boat trip to Delos/Mykonos
- Boat tickets as per itinerary to/from the islands and between the islands with best available boat/speed boats
- Assistance throughout entire program.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Extra lunches and meals
- Cost of obtaining a passport
- Personal spending money. It is recommended that all participants bring additional money for personal and miscellaneous expenses.
Fluctuating currency exchange rates may increase or decrease the cost of your international experience. Financial aid may be applied toward the cost of the program if you are enrolled as a full-time student (6 credits is full-time for May/Summer). There are several study abroad scholarships for University of Minnesota students.
Deadlines & Dates
The application deadline is February 20, 2010. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the class will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Program dates are May 16-June 4, 2010.
Orientation
At least two pre-departure orientations will be held. Pre-departure orientations will include information about financial aid information, international insurance, classwork, travel tips and a general study abroad handbook.
Housing
Housing facilities for students at the various locations are arranged by the program.
What's Next?
Before applying, it is a good idea to follow the steps under steps to studying abroad. The IEO web site also provides information on financing, health & safety and other important information to consider when choosing to study abroad. When ready to apply, the UMD study abroad application may be downloaded from the IEO web site. Please complete the application with required accompanying materials and return it to IEO.
Contact Professor Marchese at rmarches@d.umn.edu, at UMD (218) 726-8507, or at home (651) 464-6812 for program or itinerary questions. For application/registration and location questions, contact Leigh Neys at (218) 726-7053 or email: lneys@d.umn.edu.
