Welcome!
We are glad that you are interested in the University of Arkansas
Study Tour in Greece, 2009. We (George Paulson and Daniel Levine) consider
ourselves Philhellenes; we love Greece. We have been to Greece 30 times
between us. We have studied Greece for many years. We have led four study
tours together for the University of Arkansas (2001, 2003, 2005, 2007).
In addition, Dr. Levine has led other study tours in Greece for the University
of Arkansas (alone in 1985, and in 2000, with Professor Don Lateiner of
Ohio Wesleyan University), for the American School of Classical Studies
at Athens (Summer Sessions of 1987, 1995, 2006), and for the Vergilian Society
(1990, with Professor Kenneth Kitchell, Jr. of University of Massachusetts).
His curriculum vitae is here.
We see the Study Tours in Greece as a great opportunity to spend
a lot of quality time with students in exploring the history and culture
of Greece, with lots of opportunity to get close to the land and the sea,
its mountains and valleys. It delights us to see students thrill to the
discovery of the monuments and art works which abound in Greece.
Our philosophy of study abroad teaching is that students learn
best when they can see the most, and so we are on the move most of the time.
Since our time in Greece is short, we do not want to spend it in a classroom
or in front of a computer; that is for before and after our voyage of discovery.
When students return to the USA, they have time to continue to digest what
they have experienced, and they can do more library work to complete their
papers and examinations.
There is no language requirement for this trip, though we have
found that those students who have taken ancient and modern Greek gain a
great enrichment of their skills while there. We will give instruction in
Modern Greek in our pre-trip meetings, and during the study tour. Many students
learn a great deal of Greek in their month abroad.
Students will sign up for two three-hour University of Arkansas
courses; they may choose from four courses: two honors classes, and two
regular classes. Upon completion of the course requirements, they will receive
6 hours of upper-level credit.
The study tour is designed for those who have a serious interest in
learning about Greek culture, literature, language, history, art, archaeology,
and topography. Many Classical Studies majors enroll in this program, which
offers courses towards their graduation requirements in that area. Other
students are European Studies majors, who can get credit towards their degrees
from the program. Students of History often take these classes and count
them towards their History major, with the pre-approval of an academic advisor.
Students from the Colleges of Engineering and Business go on this trip,
as do members of the Community, retired people, and emeritus professors.
Participant ages have ranged from 19 to 75.
Our pace is steady, and the climate can be challenging. We do
hope that students will be in good health and ready for daily walks. Former
students have told us that they wish that they had done more walking before
coming to Greece, in order to prepare themselves for the exercise that they
got during the study tour. Verbum sapientibus satis est.
Students stay in hotels, and we rotate the roommates at each stop,
so everyone rooms with everyone else. We have pre-trip meetings so that
students can get to know one another before leaving. We travel by boats
and buses, on the Athens Metro, and on foot. The pictures you see on this
website are from the beginning of the twentieth century, when the modes
of transportation were slower and less efficient. We will be able to see
a lot, thanks to the excellent roads and fine accomodations in all parts
of Greece. We will see the popular places, and also places off the beaten
track. We welcome you on this trip back in time, to the beginnings of the
European experience.
Daniel Levine & George Paulson
dlevine@uark.edu, gpaulso@uark.edu
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