The Department of Classics at the University of Crete in Rethymnon is delighted to be hosting a new Summer School in Classics in late June/early July 2024.
Title: Crete Past and Present
Dates: Sunday 30 June – Sunday 7 July 2024
Venue: University of Crete, Rethymnon campus
Course format and length: in-person attendance, 1 week, 6 hours per day
Language of instruction: English
Eligibility: Students of all disciplines and all study cycles are encouraged to apply. Good oral and written communication skills in English (B2 and above) are a requirement.
Fees: 350€. The fee covers: (a) Shared twin accommodation on campus (7 days). Single accommodation is available on campus with the additional cost of 10 euros per day. Those interested in single accommodation should make a statement in their application. (b) On-campus breakfast and lunch (7 days). (c) Welcome party and farewell dinner. (d) Transportation for organised visits.
The Organising Committee, wishing to widen participation and promote inclusivity, now offers bursaries for students to attend the new Summer School.
Description
The Summer School in Classics offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Cretan culture and history, while enjoying the stunning beauties of the island. It includes the study of ancient literary texts and inscribed documents, organised visits to major archaeological sites, and group activities in a multicultural environment.
Right at the heart of the Mediterranean sea, on the crossroads of the trading routes that connect south Europe with north Africa and the near East, Crete developed a marvellous civilisation in the Bronze Age. The island’s rich history and culture exercises an enduring fascination: the famous myths of gods, heroes, and monsters, and of tragic love affairs have inspired art and literature throughout the centuries; Cretan laws and ways of life were regarded exemplary in the ancient world and have influenced the likes of Plato and Aristotle; perceptions of honour and retaliatory justice in rural contemporary Crete have been generating heated discussions in the disciplines of psychology and social anthropology. Surviving material culture attests to the island’s rich past: the exquisite art produced during the Bronze Age, including elaborate pots and abundant pieces of gold jewellery are a marvel to watch in the renewed collection of the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. The famous Minoan palaces have been a source of inspiration for scientists investigating the natural phenomenon that brought the Minoans to their legendary fall. The earliest and most substantial surviving documents of ancient Greek law outside Athens come from Crete. Byzantine and Ottoman monuments are tokens of the island’s diverse heritage.
Program Structure:
The Summer School will offer a variety of sessions per day (total 6hrs per day) on the following topics:
1) Cretan mythology and poetry (three sessions)
2) The symposium in Crete and beyond (three sessions)
3) Social and moral values in ancient and contemporary Crete (three sessions)
4) The Minoan palaces (three sessions; visit to the archaeological museum of Heraklion)
5) Cretan inscriptions throughout the centuries (three sessions; guided tour to the old town of Rethymnon)
6) Day excursion to Phaistos, Ancient, Byzantine and Venetian Gortyna, 14th–15th century church of Saint Phanourios at Balssamonero, and Matala (three sessions; guided tours in the archaeological sites with on-site lectures)
7) The Minoan Tsunami (one session)
For more information, please visit the website.
How to Apply
To apply, please send email to:classics24@uoc.gr
Please send your application with full name and academic affiliation via email to the following email address: classics24@uoc.gr
Please use ‘Summer school in Classics’ as the email header.
Applicants are asked to email the following as pdf attachments, with their names and the document type in the filename:
- CV
- A motivation letter explaining how the Summer School in Classics will contribute to their academic and personal development.
Deadline for applications: 30 March 2024
Note: this is a fee-paying event run by an organisation which is not affiliated to, or funded by, the Classical Association