Theseus killing the minotaur in the Labyrinth.... Agamemnon sailing off for Troy, and returning to his murderous wife...Pericles overseeing the construction of the Parthenon....Socrates teaching in the Athenian marketplace...The struggle for independence in the 1820's...The awful years of World War II. All of these events occured not in a dusty history book, but in a dusty country, a country filled with breathtaking physical beauty as well as some of the finest people on earth. Austin Peay offers the opportunity for a unique program of study in Greece. Our program offers a look at Greece which is not solely focused on the ancient world, but includes much that is modern. Our goal is to introduce you to a complex country which has a rich ancient heritage, as well as a thriving modern culture.
Your guide on this odyssey will be Dr. Timothy F. Winters, professor of Classics at Austin Peay State University. Dr. Winters lived in Greece for two years, during which time he studied archaeology and history at the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, and became a life-long admirer of modern Greece. Dr. Winters has excavated in Greece, and has returned many summers for teaching and research. In the Summer of 2000, he was the Gertrude Smith Professor of Classics for the American School of Classical Studies at Athens.
Our students follow two courses: Ancient Greek Art and Archaeology, and Modern Greek Language. The archaeology course involves an initial intensive textbook survey of the development of Greek art, as students become familiar with the major sites which have been excavated over the last 150 years. This information is presented in its historical context. Once we finish the classroom survey, we embark on three weeks of site visits. During that time we visit practically every major site studied, as well as some minor ones.
Since the best way to approach a new culture is through a study of its language, our students also study basic Modern Greek. We are in an immersion setting, and students are encouraged to speak only Greek whenever possible. In the course of this instruction, we discuss many aspects of modern Greek culture, including literature, music, dance, religion, and society. The goal is to become comfortable speaking Greek in common, everyday situations. In addition to this, students usually make friends in Greece with whom they can correspond.
The North coast of the island of Crete. For some more great photos of Crete and Thera click here.
The program opens with two weeks in the city of Chania on the Northwest coast of the island of Crete. Our hotel sits directly across the street from a long stretch of beautiful, white, sandy beach. The first saturday on Crete, we hike the Samaria Gorge, the European equivalent to the Grand Canyon. This is a 16 km. hike through a wooded mountain, which leads out to the south coast of Crete and the Libyan sea. We then board a boat to return to Chania. While in Chania, we visit the local museum for an introductory session on the development of Greek pottery. We also sample the local night life. When we leave Chania, we visit some sites associated with the Greek War of Independence and the Second World War and then begin the tour of sites on Crete with stops at a Bronze Age cemetery, a 16th century monastery, and a cave site, then on to Phaistos, Agia Triadha, and Gortyn. We spend the night at the village of Matala, where the cliff walls are honey-combed with ancient tombs. Then we move on to Archanes, Vathypetro, and into the city of Heraklion. Our tour of Crete concludes with a visit to the site of Knossos, the home of the original Labyrinth, and the museum in Heraklion. We also take some time to wander the streets of Heraklion, or pay a visit to the museum of folklore.
The Byzantine site of Mystra
We then board a ship for the return to mainland Greece. On the mainland, we visit the sites of Mycenae, home of Agamemnon, Tiryns from which Eurystheus ordered Herakles to perform his labors, and Corinth where St. Paul preached. We also visit the Byzantine village of Mystra, the city of Sparta, and the Palace of Nestor at Pylos. Students have an opportunity to run a race in the stadium at Olympia. In fact we visit all four ancient pan-hellenic sites where athletic contests were held. We spend a few days at Delphi, during which time we stay in an archontiko, a Greek home in the village of Arachova. From there we set out for a hike through Mt. Parnassos. We also visit Hosios Loukas, a Byzantine monastery, Thermopylae where Leonidas made his last stand, and we spend two nights on the slopes of Mt. Pelion, high above the gulf from which Jason set off with his Argonauts in search of the Golden Fleece.
Finally we come into Athens where we spend the final four days of our trip visiting some of the sites in and around the capital of Modern Greece including Eleusis, where the rites of Demeter were celebrated for almost 2,000 years. Site visits to the Akropolis and the Agora are supplemented by visits to museums to view much of the art we have been studying. By the time we say good-bye, we hope that you will have gained a deep appreciation not only for what Ancient Greece has given us, but for the richness of modern Greece as well.
The fee for the program in 2006 is 4549. This price is based on 15 participants. If there are fewer than 15, there is a surcharge. The price includes tuition and fees for seven hours of credit at Austin Peay State University, all hotels, transportation within Greece, site and museum entrance fees, as well as two meals a day. Air transportation to Chania, and back to the U.S. from Athens is not included in this fee. Students should also be sure that they have insurance coverage that will be active while they are in a foreign country, as there is no insurance coverage with the APSU program.
Here is what one participant had to say about the trip in 2001: "Have you ever had the thought while traveling, "I wish I could get away from all this controlled tourist trap madness and see what this place is really like"? Well, here is most likely the only time in your life for that wish to come true. My fiancee and I went to Greece in the Summer 2001 Study Abroad program with Dr. Timothy Winters. She and I went a week early and spent that time together on the island of Santorini (ancient Thera). We then traveled to Hania, Crete where we met the rest of the group. This experience and the next five weeks in the company of Dr. Winters (who has lived and worked in Greece, has many close friends there, speaks the language fluently, and genuinely loves Greece and its people) will stand as the most moving and phenomenal experience of my entire life. I learned the basic language, the history, and made two good friends, Vasili and Vangelis who are both full of filotimo. My advice? Beg, borrow, or steal the money and don't look back. Go to Greece and give my regards to the plane tree." Larry Dye
Interested? I hope so...my e-mail address is at the bottom of this page. Just click on that, and I will add your name to the list. If you'd like, you can print the application form below, and send it to me. Sign up now for the experience of a lifetime! Ya sas!
2006 Itinerary
29 May-12 June Chania
3 June Samaria Gorge hike
T 6 June Rethymno, Armenoi, Arkadi, Melidoni
M 12 June Phaistos, Agia Triada,
T 13 June Gortyn; Kommos
W 14 June Archanes, Vathypetro, Knossos
R 15 June Heraklion Museum
Ferry to Peiraus
F 16 June Isthmia, Corinth, Nemea
Sat 17 June Mycenae; Epidaurus
Sun 18 June Nafplion museum; Argos museum; Lerna
Mon 19 June Tiryns; Menelaion; Sparta
Tues 20 June Sparta mus; Mystra; Methoni;
Wed 21 June Pylos, Bassai, Olympia
Thur 22 June Olympia
Fri 23 June Patras; Hosios Loukas, Arachova
Sat 24 June Delphi site and museum
Sun. 25 June Free
Mon. 26 June Thermopylai
Tues. 27 June Dimini, Sesklo
Wed. 28 June Bus to Athens
Thurs 29 June Athens
Fri. 30 June Athens/Sounion
Sat. 1 July Athens
Sun. 2 July Depart Athens
Austin Peay Study Abroad in Greece Application Summer 2006
1. Name:_______________________________________
2. Address:______________________________________
__________________________________________
3. Telephone:(____)__________________________
4. e-mail:_____________________________
5. Date of birth:_________________________
6. Social Security Number:__________ _________ __________
7. College you attend:____________________________________
8. Major:________________________
9. Minor(s) or other interests:______________________________
10. Have you done any course work in Classics? If so, please list courses:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
11. Have you travelled out of the country before? If so, please list the places you have visited:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
12. Insurance: Each student must have his/her own travel and health insurance.
Austin Peay has no policy in effect and assumes no responsibility for insurance. Please provide the following information.
Insurance Company:____________________Policy #:_____________
Name of Policyholder:_____________________________________
Relationship to you:____________________________________
Person to notify in case of emergency:____________________________
Telephone:(____)______________
Relationship to you:____________
13. Passport number:____________________________
14. Please note that this program involves some strenuous hiking in what may be quite warm temperatures. If you have any medical problems, or are taking any medication, please list here:
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Signature:___________________________ Date:______________
Parent's signature:_______________________________
Please print:________________________________
Please return this form with one passport-size photo with your name printed on the back.to:
Professor Timothy F. Winters
Austin Peay State University
Department of Languages and Literature
P. O. Box 4487
Clarksville, TN 37043
Application Declaration In consideration of my application to the Study Abroad in Greece Program under the sponsorship of Austin Peay State University, I hereby covenant and agree that as a participant in the program I shall be subject to the supervision and authority of the faculty in charge, that standards of conduct may be stipulated by the faculty, and that I will be expected to display maturity and responsibility as a representative of my university. It is further acknowledged that the faculty member or program director has the sole authority to make decisions regarding the continued participation of any individual whose conduct may necessitate disciplinary action. It is further understood and agreed that the colleges or universities shall not assume any liability for damage or loss of property or for and financial or other obligations by either in the United States or elsewhere. Moreover, I specifically agree to release, discharge, save, hold harmless, indemnify, and defend the colleges and universities, their officers, faculty, employees, agents, and each of them from any and all past, present, and future claims, demands, and for causes of action which for now or in the future be asserted against any of the aforesaid by me, or by any person or party on my behalf or by any third party or parties by reason of any accidents, injuries, or actions by me in transit to or returning from or while participating in this program.
Having read the above, and desiring to participate in the program, I hereby apply for admission to the Austin Peay State University Study Abroad in Greece program, and enclose my $350.00 application fee. I understand that $50.00 is not refundable, and that the remainder or other payments made may be used to pay any cancellation penalties imposed by providers of services in the event that I am unable to participate as planned.
Further, I have read and understand the procedures for admission, registration and payment of fees, will familiarize myself with all regulations, and have provided information about medical problems I have which could affect my full participation in activities of the program. I have included a physician's statement where necessary.
In case of injuries, I hereby authorize and give consent to the program leaders to obtain and provide such medical treatment and services for my son or daughter as are deemed necessary.
___________________________
Signature of applicant Date
________________________________Signature of parent/guardian
(Applicants under 18 years of age)
Approved:_______________________________
Director Date