Classical History and Literature Tour
Study and discover the classical world in Greece
About the Classical Tour
How exactly did audiences of Aeschylus's plays or Virgil's poetry experience their works? What is the relationship between the day-to-day life of the ancients and the major historical events and literary works of the classical world? In this travel course offered every second year, students travel to Greece to examine the critical role of place in understanding Greco-Roman culture.
Trip Information
Why Study in Greece?
Travel to the heart of the classical world in this two-week trip! Students will be able to develop a foundational knowledge of antiquity to explore connections between textual artifacts — the works of Greco-Roman writers — and the physical remains of that world.
Where You’ll Be Staying
During the course, students will be staying in various hotels (2-4 students per room) as they travel around locations of interest in Greece. Athens, Napflion and Delphi are staple locations of the course, with additional stops varying each time the course is offered (such as locales in Sicily, Italy).
Activities While Abroad
Students will visit archeological sites, museums, art galleries and churches. In touring these sites, students will be asked to reflect on readings from Classical authors and on the different ways that contemporary countries exploit antiquity — both in defining regional or national identity and in marketing these sites as a commodity for tourists.
Student Testimonial
“This trip felt like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and experience. I was able to travel and make new friends while learning from individuals who were incredibly knowledgeable within their fields of study and discuss different aspects of history I had never considered before. This course was also a perfect blend between structured group activities and solo free time, allowing you to explore areas of personal interest! Additionally, there are plenty of stray cats (like Roger, the cat I named in the photo) and dogs that I made friends with along the way. I’m sure you will, too! ”
Michaela Jevne
Psychology student
Course
The Classical History and Literature Tour course is offered every second year and includes a two-week expedition to Greece in the winter term. Students need to apply to participate. Successful applicants will be enrolled in the course listed below:
AUCLA 294
Winter, January 3-week course
Visits to individual sites will be tied to short readings from major Classical authors, such as Homer, Sappho, Thucydides, Virgil, Livy and Ovid, and will focus on specific themes related to individual texts, including constructions of gender throughout antiquity, class boundaries and social stratification, conflicting attitudes towards cultural otherness and sexuality in the ancient world.
Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites required for this course and is open to any second-, third- or fourth-year student.
costs + supplies
A Mandatory Instructional Support (MIS) fee will be charged in addition to regular tuition. The MIS fee for 2025 is estimated between $3,700 - $4,500. (2023 fee was $3,910).
Included in MIS fee:
- Accommodations
- Daily breakfast and five dinners
- In-country transportation
- Winery visit
NOT included in MIS fee:
- Return airfare from Edmonton International Airport to Greece
- Lunches and remaining dinners
- Phone and internet access while aboard
- Items on the supplies checklist
Funding is also available for students to apply for through Education Abroad Awards. There are three separate deadlines where funding can be applied for throughout the year.
Supplies
Below is a list of general supplies that students are responsible for acquiring before the Classical History and Literature Tour begins. More fulsome information will be included in letters of acceptance.
Supplies Checklist:
- Passport
- Flights (approximately $1,500-$2,000)
- Travel immunizations as recommended by a public health nurse
- Travel health insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Transportation to and from the Edmonton International Airport
- Appropriate clothing and footwear
- Pocket money (Euros)
Important Dates
| Application Deadline | April 15, 2024 |
|---|---|
| First Payment ($500) | April 29, 2024 |
| Second Payment ($2,000) | September 9, 2024 |
| Final Payment (balance) | October 14, 2024 |
| Departure date | January 6, 2025 (tentative) |
| Return date | January 22, 2025 (tentative) |
Contact the Classical Tour team
Questions about studying in Greece? Contact an advisor or course instructors:
Geoffrey Dipple — Professor, History
Email: dipple@ualberta.ca
Brandon Alakas — Associate Professor, English
Email: alakas@ualberta.ca