Travelers in Greece

  Greece

• Athens: 
Athinai (Athens)

Term: Summer 
Dates: July 1 - July 29

Description: For centuries Greece has presented a challenging and intricate face to its many visitors. The rich history of the region, its many famous archeological sites, and the literature that Greece has inspired have contributed to the countrys complex cultural identity. In the course Travelers in Greece, students will explore this multifaceted country by studying Greece's cultural identity and history through a) selected writings of well-known American authors as well as through the work of major Greek writers in English translations (readings will include novels, short stories, poems and travel literature); and b) through several organized field trips to major archeological and historical sites.

English 149 (4 units)
Topics in Literature
Intensive examination of literature considered in topical terms, not necessarily historically. May be repeated for credit when content differs.
GE credit: Wrt.

English 198 (4 units)
Directed Group Study
GE credit: none.

Highlights: Athens
Host of the 2004 Olympics, Athens, the capitol of Greece, is a metropolis of about 5 million people. In this ancient city several centuries of Greek history coexist. When you walk in the streets underneath the Acropolis, you will encounter not only ancient Greek ruins but also Roman sites, Ottoman buildings, and medieval Byzantine churches. Farmers' markets with fresh fruit, traditional coffee shops, and open flea markets give way to smart boutiques and expensive restaurants. And when you raise your eyes to the Attic sky, the Parthenon will stare back at you from its perch on the "sacred rock" of the Acropolis.

During our stay in Athens, we will be located in Glyfada, an Athenian suburb on the coast of the Saronic Gulf. From Glyfada we will take field trips to the Acropolis, walk around the ancient Agora and the Stoa where Socrates held his classes, and visit the National Archeological Museum which houses some of the most important findings from sites all over Greece. We will also go by private bus to the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion and experience the ancient oracle of Delphi, dedicated to god Apollo, on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.

Hydra
From the ancient port of Piraeus, we will ferry to Hydra to spend a few days in one of Greece's most beautiful islands, famous for its preserved traditional architecture and its gorgeous views. Hydra, a rocky island in the Aegean Sea and the site of a prehistoric Mycenaean settlement, became famous in the 19th century when its wealthy merchants spent huge fortunes in the 1821 Greek revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Their fleet and participation were determining factors in the revolution's success. While in Hydra, we will visit the Historical Museum of Hydra and the Koundouriotis Historic Residence, a mansion of a well-known local family that gave to the Greek revolution money, ships, and captains. An interesting feature of the island: Hydra allows no cars on its narrow, cobblestone streets, so we will walk, take small caiques (wooden boats) to the different villages, or ride mules and donkeys.

The Peloponnese
From Hydra, we will go by boat to the town of Ermioni in the Peloponnese, one of the most interesting places in Greece. Olive and citrus groves, tall mountains, rivers, fertile valleys, and a breath-taking coastline contribute to the beauty of the land while the sites of ancient Sparta, Corinth, Argos, Mycenae, and Olympia are only some distance away from the medieval sites of Mystras and Monemvassia, remnants of Byzantium's glory. Ottoman mosques in small traditional towns as well as Venetian and Frank medieval structures recall the long and complex history of the Peloponnese.

While in the Peloponnese, we will visit the theater of Epidaurus and spend a few days in the city of Nafplion (or Nauplion). Nafplion became the first capitol of Greece after the country's libration from the Ottoman Empire. A coastal city on the Gulf of Argos in the Peloponnese, Nafplion is one of the most beautiful and architecturally interesting areas in Greece. Nafplion's beauty lies in its 19th century neoclassical houses, the Venetian castle complex of Palamidi, Akronafplia, and Bourtzi, its mosque, and a beautiful shoreline. During our stay in Nafplion, we will visit the site of Mycenae with its brand new museum and the beehive tomb of Agamemnon. We will also drive to the site of Mystras, a medieval castle on Mount Taygetos. Though originally built by Franks, Mystras became a stronghold of the Byzantine Empire--the last emperor of Byzantium was crowned there. Konstatinos XI Palaeologos, or "the Marble King," the stuff of legends that remind us of King Arthur and Camelot, is believed to have died when Constantinople, the seat of the Byzantine Empire, fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

Olympia
Before making our way to the island of Cephalonia or Kefalonia, our final destination, we will spend a day (and stay overnight) in ancient Olympia, the place that gave birth to the Olympic Games in 776 A.D. Though the Games were abolished in 393 A.D., they were revived in 1896 in Athens--in March 2004 the Olympic flame was lit in Olympia and the summer of 2004 saw the Olympic Games return to their home.

Cephalonia
From the Peloponnese, we will cross by boat to the island of Cephalonia (or Kefalonia), the largest of the Ionian islands, known for its rugged coast, Mount Aenos, several caves and other geological beauties, and its many traditional villages. We first meet Kefalonia in Homer's Odyssey (the island of Ithaca or Ithaci is right next to it and according to one theory, the two islands were once connected). Since antiquity the island has been continuously inhabited--in fact, archeologists have found evidence of Neolithic settlements. To this day we can still see structures that remind us of the different times the island had been under Ottoman, Venetian, French, and British rule. While in Cephalonia, we will be stay in Sami, where Corelli's Mandolin was filmed, and we will take field trips to museums in Argostoli, the island's capitol as well as have the opportunity to see Melissani, an underwater lake, and visit picturesque Aghia Efimia. We will also go on a boat cruise to Ithaca and visit the ports of Vathi and Kioni and the coves of Gidaki and Sarakiniko.

The last few days of the class will be spent in Athens and the suburb of Glyfada.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: $6296.00

UC Davis Summer Abroad Fees for
Travelers in Greece
$1200.00 Program Fee
(includes $300 non-refundable deposit)
$1176.00 Course Fee ($147/unit X 8 units)
$3920.00 (Shared Rooms in Hotels) Accommodations and Activities Fee

Students who enroll before the Accommodations and Activities Fee is posted will be notified via email as soon as the fee is available. If they choose to withdraw within 10 days of this notification, their deposit will be refunded.

* This fee level is based on the proposed governor's budget. The fees are subject to Regental, legislative, and gubernatorial action and may change without notice.

Experience Required: yes

U.C. Davis University Writing Program 1 or English 3 or equivalent

This Program is open to American and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Greece Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home