DUKE IN GREECE VIII

STUDY ABROAD SUMMER PROGRAM

The Birth of Reason in Ancient Greece

May 15 - June 15, 2008

THE COURSE

PHL 136 - THE BIRTH OF REASON IN ANCIENT GREECE (Pre C2K: CZ, C2K: CCI) Tours, lectures, and readings focusing on topics in ancient Greek ethics, metaphysics and epistemology. Two exams, one short term project, and two textbooks. Maximum enrollment: 24. No pass/fail option or auditing permitted. One course credit. Michael Ferejohn

This is an integrated course of study combining in-depth tours of the important sites and museums in various regions of this spectacular country with close reading and discussion of key ancient philosophical texts. The principal course objective is to give the student a thorough understanding of (and a critical perspective upon) the classical Greeks' pronounced emphasis on the rational aspect of human nature that enabled them not only to produce the artistic and architectural splendors we shall be seeing at first-hand, but also to lay the intellectual foundations for subsequent western civilization.

The program begins with twelve days in the Aegean Islands, where students will consider how the ancient rationalistic movement first came to life with the mechanistic science of the Milesians, and the theoretical mathematics and metaphysics of the Pythagoreans. The course location then shifts onto the Greek mainland, first to the Peloponnese and then on to Athens, where the dramatic rise and fall of the Athenian Empire serves as a backdrop to Socrates' revolutionary denunciation of the "unexamined life", and the great philosophical system of Plato's Republic. The program then travels northward to Thessaly, finally arriving on the very slopes of Mt. Olympus. During this segment the class will study the great ancient ethical systems of Aristotle, Epicurus, and the Stoic philosophers. During the final days of the program, the group will board a spacious chartered yacht to sail the quiet waters of the Western Aegean while students complete individual course projects designed to put the themes and issues encountered during the entire course in broad perspective.

All texts to be dealt with at length are by ancient philosophical authors, and are collected in a single paperback, S. M. Cohen, et. al., Readings in Ancient Greek Philosophy (paper). Occasionally, these will be supplemented by short excerpts from other authors (such as Homer, Thucydides, and Euripides), to be distributed in class.  A. R. Burn, A History of Greece (paper) will be used as a general reference work.

THE INSTRUCTOR

PHL 136 will be taught by Professor Michael Ferejohn, who teaches Ancient Greek Philosophy at Duke University, with occasional guest lectures by scholars from Greek universities.  Professor Ferejohn is the author of The Origins of Aristotelian Science (Yale University Press, 1991) and has published numerous articles on Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. He has been teaching in Greece the past four summers, and knows both Ancient and Modern Greek.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

For the most part, visits to sites and museums will be confined to the morning hours (in order to avoid both crowds and heat).  Lunch and early afternoons will be free for relaxation and study, and lectures and discussion will take place in the middle to late afternoon, after which there will usually be additional free time before dinner. On days designated as “Free", when no touring or travel is scheduled, students will be able to use the morning hours for study and recreation, and class will be held as usual in the middle to late afternoon.

Due to unscheduled closings, it will not always be possible to adhere to the schedule below. The instructor will always endeavor to ensure that the students either visit the sites listed, or ones of equal value and interest.

May 15 Depart from USA

May 16 Arrive Athens airport - Individual transfer to Heraklion, Crete - Dinner - Overnight Heraklion

May 17 Free Morning - Program Orientation - Overnight Heraklion

May 18 Morning Tour - Afternoon Course Overview (1) - Overnight Heraklion

May 19 Day Tour of The Knossos Palace-- Overnight Heraklion

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May 20 Morning ferry to Santorini --Mid-Term Exam – Overnight Santorini

May 21 Morning tour of Minoan SIte at Akrotiri –Overnight Fira(2)

May 22 Morning Lecture (3)- Afternoon Tour of Oia - Overnight Fira

May 23 Tour of Santorini Volcano– Afternoon Lecture (4)- Overnight Fira

May 24 Morning Ferry to Naxos - Afternoon Lecture (5) - Overnight Naxos

May 25 Morning Tour of City – Afternoon Lecture (6) –

May 26 Free Morning- Afternoon Lecture (7) – Overnight Naxos

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May 27 Travel - to Peloponnese (mid-term enroute (8)) - Overnight Tolos

May 28 Morning Tour of Mycenae, - Lunch in Nafplio - Afternoon Guest Lecture (9) - Overnight Tolos

May 29 Morning tour of Epidauros - - Overnight Tolos

May 30 Travel - Morning tour of ancient Corinth enroute to Athens - Overnight Athens

May 31 Morning tour of Athens and Acropolis - Afternoon Lecture (11) - Overnight Athens

Jun 1 Morning in National Archaeological Museum - Afternoon Lecture (12) - Overnight Delphi

Jun 2 Morning tour of Delphi - Travel to Thessalonika - Overnight Thessalonika

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Jun 3 Tour of Thessalonika - Guest Lecture (13) - Tour of Vergina - Overnight Thessalonika

Jun 4 Morning travel to Litohoro at the foot of Mt Olympus - Climb slopes of Olympus - optional overnight at Zolotos lodge (others descend and overnight in Litohoro)

Jun 5 Descent down Mt Olympus - Introduction to Term Project (14) - Overnight Litohoro

Jun 8 Morning travel to Piraeus - Overnight aboard boat.

Jun 6 Morning travel to Piraeus- Overnight aboard boat

Jun 7 Seminar on Term Project (15) Overnight aboard boat

Jun 8 Seminar on Term Project (16)- Overnight aboard boat

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Jun 9 Term Project - Overnight aboard boat

Jun 10 Term Project - Overnight aboard boat

Jun 11 Term Project - Overnight aboard boat

Jun 12 Term Project - Overnight aboard boat

Jun 13 Morning Transfer to Hotel - Overnight Athens.

Jun 14 Final Exam (17) - Overnight Athens

Jun 15 Depart for US

TRAVEL IN GREECE

Sea travel (except sailing) is by regular ferries, high-speed ferries, and hydrofoils. Land travel is by private coach driven by a professional driver, who stays with it during the day and secures it at night. The coach is air-conditioned, equipped with a VCR and microphone, and seats over 35, allowing plenty of room to spread out.

There will be a substantial amount of walking and some hiking (including an optional moderately strenuous trek up the slopes of Mt. Olympus). Heavy duty hiking boots should not be necessary, and can be a bit bulky to pack and carry. A sturdy pair of mid-height athletic shoes should be sufficient (and will also be useful for recreational basketball and soccer). It would be extremely wise to invest in "pilot" style luggage, with built-in wheels, pop-up handle, and low center of gravity. This will minimize the amount of lifting necessary during transit. Since the appropriate attire for traveling in Greece (especially in the islands) is extremely light and casual, and there will be laundry facilities at many locations, students are strongly encouraged to pack very lightly in order to facilitate the transfer of luggage on busses and boats while traveling around Greece.

ACCOMMODATIONS/MEALS

The group will stay in clean and comfortable B-Class hotels, normally with two (but occasionally three) students per room, with private baths.  Program fee includes room and half pension, which covers breakfast and one other meal (with rare exceptions, dinner). All other meals are the responsibility of the student.

TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Students must make their own travel arrangements to and from Greece, and must arrive at the rendezvous hotel in Heraklion, Crete (to be specified later) by the evening of May 16,2008. Students cannot leave the program while it is in progress, and may not schedule their return from Greece before June 15, 2008.

After the course ends on June 15th, students are on their own. More travel in the Mediterranean region is highly recommended, but students must make their own arrangements. Professor Ferejohn's Greek associate, Eva Kanellis, (address below) is a highly experienced travel agent and tour operator who will be happy to assist with additional travel plans.

Addresses:

TRAVEL AGENT - GREECE

EVA VARELLAS KANELLIS

AMERICAN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES/ZORPIDIS TOURS

EGNATIA 76

GR-54624  THESSALONIKA, GREECE

TEL: 011-30-977-224598

        011-30-31-244400

FAX: 011-30-31-212-214

EMAIL: evkanellis@yahoo.com

PROGRAM DIRECTOR

PROFESSOR MICHAEL FEREJOHN

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

DUKE UNIVERSITY

DURHAM NC 27708

Tel:    919 660-3053

Fax:    919 660 3060

email:  mtf@duke.edu

PLEASE NOTE: THE TOTAL COST FOR PARTICIPANTS ADMITTED TO THIS DUKE UNIVERSITY SUMMER PROGRAM INCLUDES TUITION, ROOM, PARTIAL BOARD, AND ALL PROGRAM EXCURSIONS IN GREECE. AIRFARE FROM AND TO THE UNITED STATES IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL PRICE.

For application information, please contact Professor Ferejohn at the above address, or

Office of Study Abroad

2016 Campus Drive

Box 90057

Duke University

Durham, NC 27708

Ph: (919) 684 2174

email: abroad@asdean.duke.edu