CLA 381 in Greece

Course title and instructor

Greek Archaeology
John Gruber-Miller, Professor of Classics and Edwin R. and Mary E. Mason Professor of Languages

Professor Gruber-Miller is the editor of “When Dead Tongues Speak: Teaching Beginning Greek and Latin” (Oxford University Press, 2006). He also serves as editor of Teaching Classical Languages, a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to Latin and Greek pedagogy, and maintains two educational sites: Ariadne: Resources for Athenaze and Let's Review Greek! He received the 2012 Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Classics at the College Level from the American Philological Association.

Syllabus description

The course is an introduction to archaeology in Greece. We begin the course on campus with a brief overview of Greece in the Bronze, Classical, Roman, and Byzantine Periods.

We spend most of the course visiting sites throughout Greece, including Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Bassae, and Crete. We see temples, palaces, cities, sanctuaries, theaters, athletic facilities, and government buildings. In addition we spend time in the major museums of Greece examining sculpture, vases, jewelry, and items of everyday use in the ancient world. This course is for students interested in anthropology, architecture, art, art history, classics, history, politics, religion, and theatre.

Course highlights

• Visit archaeological sites throughout Greece, including Athens, Delphi, Olympia, Mycenae, Corinth, Bassae, and Crete.

• Visit major museums, complete site report projects, and enjoy all the sights, sounds, tastes, and fragrances of The Mediterranean.

Student reflection

Daniel Pederson

History major

My site report on the Acroronth was the highlight of the trip. The project very much fit in with my major, and to see this largely intact fort we had been studying and reading about come alive so spectacularly was very meaningful to me.

I also met some great friends on the trip and I became better friends with people I already knew. I still feel nostalgic for the group of friends whenever I see a picture of us in Greece or am reminded of a fun thing we did—I don’t think I will ever forget the experience.