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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 Term |
| CLASS STANDING | Sophomore, Junior, Senior |
| DEADLINE TO APPLY |
May Session 2008: February 22, 2008 |
| FEES | $5,229* [2007-2008] |
| 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 Mykinos, 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.
Two senior faculty members at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Professor Ron Marchese, Department of Sociology-Anthropology, and Professor Thomas Hedin, Department of Art and Design will lead the program.
Dr. Marchese is an expert on ancient history and archaeology; Dr. Hedin is an expert on French art and the classical revival. Each 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:
Day 1 Saturday, May 17, 2008: Depart Minneapolis for Athens, Greece
Day 2 Sunday, May 18: Arrival in Athens. Transfer to your centrally located hotel and welcome dinner in Plaka. Overnight in Athens, Hotel Amazon or similar.
Day 3 Monday, May 19: ATHENS .Meet your guide Smaro after breakfast. On foot guided visit of the Acropolis. After lunch (on your own) meet bus and travel the Attica coast for guided visit of Sounion and Lavrion. Daphne site (if open). Visit to St. Paul’s nunnery, with nuns from all over the world, growing their own organic products. Return late afternoon to the seaside suburb of Voula for dinner at traditional taverna. Overnight in Athens at centrally located hotel.
Day 4 Tuesday, May 20: ATHENS-AIGINA. Departure by private bus and guide to Pireaus port for ferry to the island of Aigina. After approx. 1 hr ferry ride, arrive to the island famous for its pistachios, and proceed to the Temple of Aphaia for a guided visit. Lunch on your own with swim opportunity. Return to Athens late in the afternoon. Overnight in Athens.
Day 4 Wednesday, May 21 : ATHENS. Agora and Kerameikos guided visits in the morning. Free afternoon for various other museums and activities such as Benaki Museum or Cycladic Museum or Byzantine Museum. Overnight in Athens.
Day 5 Thursday, May 22: ATHENS -PAROS. Morning departure with your private guide from hotel by bus to reach the port to take ferry boat for the island of Paros. Upon arrival, transfer by bus to hotel near Naoussa. Day at leisure. Dinner in selected taverna. Overnight in the hotel Cavos Apartments or similar.
Day 6 Friday, May 23: PAROS. B us tour of Paros. Pick up from the hotel in the morning and visit the ancient quarry. Visit the Archeological museum, Ekatonpyliani Cathedral, ancient marble queries and the village of LEFKES for lunch on your own. Continue by ferry to the island of Antiparos to visit the cave. Overnight in Cavos Apartments or similar.
Day 7 Saturday, May 24: PAROS - NAXOS . Depart by bus to the main town for a short walking tour, before boarding ferry to the island of Naxos. At noon, take ferry for NAXOS the most fertile island of the Cyclades. Transfer by the hotel bus to the hotel. Afternoon walk to the Temple of Apollo for sunset. Group dinner in town at selected taverna and overnight at Hotel Grotta in Naxos.
Day 8 Sunday, May 25 : NAXOS 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 and weaver’s studios, winery; visit the scenic Temple of Demetra at Sagri and its small archaeological museum (Museum is closed on Monday. Continue to Agia Anna/Plaka area – one of the best sandy beaches for swimming, if weather permits it or have lunch/snack at Paradisos Taverna (on your own) on the beach, with excellent local food. Return by the local bus or taxis to Naxos. Overnight in Hotel Grotta in Naxos.
Day 9 Monday, May 26: NAXOS-DELOS-MYKONOS. Join scheduled excursion boat to Delos and Myconos, included in the rate. Walk to the port. Depart from Naxos port early in the morning. Depart from Mykonos at 500pm with return to Naxos at 700pm. Dinner on your own in taverna and overnight in Naxos.
Day 10 Tuesday, May 27: NAXOS-SANTORINI. Visit to the Archeological Museum and the Venetian Castro and the Old Town. At noon time, transfer by hotel bus to the ferry to SANTORINI, the volcanic island, thought to be the lost Atlantis. Arrival late afternoon. Transfer by bus to your hotel. Group dinner in selected taverna in Fira and overnight in Hotel Melina or similar.
Day 11 Wednesday, May 28: SANTORINI . Walk to Prehistoric Museum for to see the findings of Acrotiri. Then, meet bus to visit the monastery of Prophet Elias and a local winery, Santos. Stop at the beach of Perissa to swim. Optional evening outing by local bus ( ticket cost is extra) through the traditional village of OIA, the old capital of the island world-known for its sunsets. Dinner at your own expense in local taverna in OIA (Suggestion: Taverna Nepture in Oia). Overnight in Santorini.
Day 12 Thursday, May 29: SANTORINI-CRETE. Morning free in SANTORINI. Visit the Nomicos Foundations with copies of the frescoes of Acrotiri. Bus transfer from the hotel late afternoon to port for departure High Speed ferry to IRAKLION, the capital of CRETE. Arrival in the evening. Bus transfer to selected Heraklion Hotel Lato or Galaxy for overnight.
Day 13 Friday, May 30 : CRETE. Morning departure with private bus for guided visit of the Palace of King Minos, KNOSSOS. Lunch on your own in Archanes, visit the Peza co-op winery to buy olive and wine products (closes at 3 pm). (The Archeological Museum of Heraklion, is currently closed for renovation). Overnight in Hotel Galaxy. Group dinner in selected ouzeri.. Overnight in Heraklion.
Day 14 Saturday, May 31: CRETE. Morning departure with private bus for guided visit of the famous Palace PHAESTOS and GORTYNA. Possible drive to Lake Zara for a short walk. Lunch on your own in the village of Matala or Komo or Kalamaki. Overnight in Heraklion.
Day 15 Sunday, June 1: CRETE. Free Day. Return in the late afternoon to Heraklion for departure at 9 pm with overnight ferry back to PIREAUS. Accommodation in 4-berth first class cabins and singles for the professors/guide on board.
Day 16 Monday, June 2: ATHENS - ARGOLIS. Morning arrival at 6:00am in Pireaus. Meet your bus driver. Have breakfast on the way and continue day trip to Corinth/Mycenae/Tiryns by private bus and guide. Lunch included on the way. Or alternative one day bus trip to Eleusis, Thebes Plataiai and Marathon. Return in the evening to Athens. Overnight at Hotel Philippos or similar.
Day 17 Tuesday, June 3: ATHENS-Free day in Athens. Meet at the hotel lobby at 730pm for farewell dinner in selected taverna. Overnight in Athens.
Day 18 Wednesday, June 4: ATHENS-USA . Morning transfer by bus at to the airport for return flight to the USA
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 is approximately $5,229. A non-refundable deposit will be due upon acceptance to the program. 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, Paros, Naxos, Santorini, and Crete
- Daily breakfast
- 7 ( seven )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 registration deadline is Friday, February 8 2008. 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 Saturday, May 17 to Wednesday, June 4, 2008.
Orientation
At least one pre-departure orientation will be held. Pre-departure orientation 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. Also, Professor Hedin may be contacted at thedin@d.umn.edu. For application/registration and location questions, contact Leigh Neys at (218) 726-7053 or email: lneys@d.umn.edu.
