Under the Auspices of
The Great Philosophers
THE GREAT PHILOSOPHERS
Join us for a genuine experience of Athens’ philosophical saga; walk with us on the same streets
great men walked, and discover the true treasures of Athens.
great men walked, and discover the true treasures of Athens.
1,650€
Includes accommodation (3-star), full board, all domestic transfers, entrance fees, taxes and tuition
10 days / 9 nights
Departing:
Contact us for details
Athens, the cradle of western civilization, is not only the birthplace, but also the perpetual center of philosophy, the home of Plato's Academy, Epicure’s Garden, Zeno’s Stoa and Aristotle's Lyceum. As far as philosophy is concerned, everything started here, under the shadow of the Acropolis and the Parthenon, in the picturesque alleys and the olive gardens of Athens. The glory of Athens is mirrored all over across the city; literally every corner in Athens has been the place of celebrated philosophical debates, and the venue where great philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle presented ideas destined to dominate the history of mankind ever since.
DAY 1 / ARRIVE IN ATHENS
Regardless of whether you have travelled across continents or from a neighboring country, you will be welcomed to an exclusive three course dinner at the Museum of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the heart of Athens.
The Museum’s Director, our NKUA professors and expert staff will warmly receive you and introduce you to your upcoming and truly amazing Athenian adventure through the centuries!
Dinner
DAY 2 / SOCRATES AND THE SOPHISTS
Tutor: Steiris (Dr)
Our day starts with a visit to the Acropolis, a timeless symbol of the political strength and cultural radiance of the Athenian democracy. We shall spend the morning touring Acropolis’ sacred rock in the expert company of our NKUA Professor and immersing ourselves in the site’s changing architecture through the ages with the help of Augmented Reality (AR). Goddess Athenas’ statue in the Parthenon may be missing nowadays, but you shall still be able to see it in its intended grandeur through AR on the iPads we provide you with.
Lunch will be taken at a traditional Greek taverna in picturesque Plaka before we all head off to explore the ancient Greek Agora where Socrates and the Sophists argued on the human nature and the sociopolitical institutions. Don’t forget back at the time philosophy was so much more than a mere intellectual engagement; it referred to the art of living! The Agora was the common meeting place of Athenian citizens and more importantly the venue of their intense philosophical debates. You are in for a surprise: we shall attempt to genuinely recreate the atmosphere of 5th century Athens by engaging in a live debate on select issues! Pick your side and make your argument in the spiritual presence of some of the world’s greatest philosophers!
Next stop is Pnyx where we shall discuss Socrates’ trial, perhaps the single most discussed and analyzed trial in human history! We shall examine the accusations made against him and his defense, Socrates’ famous Apology, as well as the testimonies on his last hours in prison after his conviction.
We know that there will be a lot to discuss over dinner, so we have made sure that tonight’s Greek delicacies will keep the conversation going for as long as it is needed.
Breakfast 
Lunch Dinner
DAY 3 / PLATO’S ACADEMY
Tutors: Steiris (Dr) and Protopapadakis (Dr)
Our day is devoted to the ancient site of Plato’s Academy. We shall walk you through its history and existing ruins, all the while vividly introducing you to the key aspects of Platonism, the school of philosophy that became the cornerstone of Westerns civilization. We shall then attempt to engage you in a genuine philosophical dialogue, just like Plato and his fellow scholars did. Our topics for the day shall focus on ideas such as eros, the ideal republic and virtue.
Today’s lunch and dinner will be paying tribute to the famous Platonic symposiums; we shall be feasting on luscious dishes, tasting traditional Greek wines, and fiercely debating on love, beauty and right versus wrong.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 4 / ARISTOTLE’S LYCEUM
Tutor: Protopapadakis (Dr)
How fortunate of you, having spent two days in the presence of Socrates and Plato, you get to spend the entire day today visit Aristotle’s Lyceum. Aristotle established his very own school in Athens upon his return from Macedonia having tutored the world’s greatest general, Alexander the Great! We shall introduce you to the basic concepts of Aristotelian philosophy including metaphysics, ontology, aesthetics, tragedy and many more.
All the while focusing on ethics and politics, we shall attempt to outline the Aristotelian virtuous life and trace the path to happiness. We shall also discuss Aristotle’s Politics based on his view of man as a social animal, as well as his Ethics that generated a long tradition in virtue ethics.
Lunch and dinner will be a treat for the heart and mind, be prepared to be amazed by the world-famous Mediterranean cuisine!
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 5 / STOICS VS THE EPICUREANS
Tutor: Protopapadakis (Dr)
We start our day by visiting the Stoa of Attalos at the foot of Acropolis’ sacred rock to meet the Stoics! Stoicism, namely the school of Stoic philosophy, focused on ethics in an attempt to achieve inner tranquility and pursue the sage, the wise man. It represents a practical guide on how to live well, something that can only be achieved when in harmony with nature. We shall attempt to introduce you to the Stoic way of living, all the while tracing the Stoics’ legacy to the present.
We shall enjoy our lunch in a picturesque little tavern in the heart of Plaka before we take a short bus ride to the ancient Garden of Epicure in Gerakas. Fearsome opponents of the Stoics, the Epicureans believed that a man’s ultimate achievement in life is the complete absence of pain and the enjoyment of basic pleasures, such as moderate food consumption or being in the company of good friends.
You will be definitely spending dinner in the company of good friends; however your food consumption will hardly remain at moderate levels at this hidden gem we have chosen for you tonight!
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 6 / PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
Tutor: Arabatzis (Dr)
Our first stop of the day will be at St. Fotini Church by Illisos River, where Plato’s dialogue Phaedrus allegedly took place. We shall revisit the dialogue’s key instances and focus on erotic love and the fate of the soul after death.
After a mouthwatering Greek lunch, we shall take an hour-long roadtrip across the Athenian riviera to the Temple of Poseidon - a truly mystical site offering 270 degrees of unobstructed view to the Aegean Sea. Avid Instagramers are guaranteed to appreciate the view! Along the way we shall have the chance to discuss how ancient philosophy influenced Christianity and religion, and debate on whether the beautiful or the sublime is the key concept in aesthetics!
On our way back to the hotel, we shall take dinner at a picturesque fish tavern by the sea overlooking the setting sun!
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 7 / ANCIENT THEATERS
Tutor: Arabatzis (Dr)
Today we shall be visiting not one, but two ancient Greek theaters favored by modern Greeks and visitors from all over the world! We shall start by visiting Herodion, the Roman theater at the foot of the Acropolis, where we will be discussing the relation between ancient Greek philosophy and Greek tragedy. We shall explore Plato’s concerns over the tragedians’ command of the expressive resources of language and over the emotive effect of poetry. We shall then fast forward to the present and discuss the role of modern mass and social media that use both the expressive resources of language and the emotive effect of mimetic arts in order to affect people. Meta-truth remains a key issue in our days and we shall attempt to scrutinize it with the aid of ancient Greek thought!
Our next stop shall be Ancient Epidaurus, only a couple of hours away from Athens. We will enjoy lunch at a fish tavern by the sea before we proceed to visit the archaeological museum of ancient Epidaurus.
On the occasion we shall continue our morning discussion following the Aristotelean perception of tragedy as a kind of imitation (mimesis) whose aim is the "catharsis" of the spectators.
Dinner shall be taken at the foot of the ancient theatre before we take our seats at its 2,200-year-old marble stalls for a rare treat - a subtitled authentic ancient Greek drama or comedy, amongst hundreds of fellow spectators gathered from all over the country.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 8 / A DAY AT THE MUSEUM
Tutor: Steiris (Dr)
Having already spent seven days in Athens, it is time to relate ancient Greek philosophy to the history of Ancient Athens and Greece by visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Athens and the world-famous Acropolis Museum built to honor the spirit and former grandeur of the Parthenon. You shall spend the morning being guided by our expert Professor through their halls and exhibits, and having appreciated their abundant kallos, you may perhaps then share the PanHellenic aspiration to repatriate the Parthenon marbles currently on display at the British Museum.
Our visit to Pnyx shall help recreate the experience of direct ancient Athenian democracy. We will engage in a genuine democratic debate at the exact spot where Athenians voted on public matters and the fate of the city! In the cradle of liberty and democracy, we shall have the opportunity to exchange views on current sociopolitical challenges and the future of our world. Pericles’ famous funeral oration will serve as the core text of our discussion.
Lunch and dinner shall be enjoyed at picturesque taverns in the greater historical center of Athens.
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 9 / THE DECLINE OF ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY
Tutor: Arabatzis (Dr)
Today we shall spend the day discussing the decline of ancient Greek philosophy, i.e. Neoplatonism, and the rise of Byzantine philosophy, that marks the encounter of the ancient spirit with Christianity. Our first stop is the School of Proclus under the Acropolis that was allegedly destroyed by Christians.
We then proceed to the Byzantine Museum in the heart of Athens to touch base on the encounter between ancient Greek and Christian philosophy. Arguably one of the most important transformations in Late Antiquity was the formation and evolution of the Abrahamic religions: Christianity, Rabbinic Judaism and, eventually, Islam. Our NKUA professors shall introduce you to ancient mysticism and its attractiveness to the late antiquity civilizations of the Mediterranean.
Lunch and dinner shall enhance your Greek experience as you will be treated to some of Greek cuisine’s most celebrated dishes!
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
DAY 10 / DEPARTURE
All good things must come to an end. After 9 days of philosophical and hopefully personal exploration, it is time to part our ways until the next time we meet again!
One thing is certain - your heart and mind will have been filled with new knowledge, stories, images, thoughts, sounds and flavors, and of course the abundant Greek kallos!
Breakfast
| Course code: | ToG - 008 |
| Subject area: | Ancient Greek and Byzantine Philosophy |
| Credits: | 10 credits/5 ECTS /2 US |
| Credit level: | 10 |
| Contact hours: | 64 |
| Academic eligibility: | 1 year of undergraduate study |
| Language requirements: | IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent |
| Destinations: | Historical Center of Athens, Attica region, Ancient Epidaurus |
| Tuition fee: | POA |
| Course length: | Ten (10) days |
| Course dates: | Flexible |
| Application deadline: | 12 weeks before the course starts |
Description
Tracing Philosophical Athens traces the city of Athens’ philosophical tradition and offers aspiring educators the relevant tools to incorporate outdoor learning into their teaching and curriculum planning.
The purpose of this course is to explore, contact and live the places that gave birth to ancient Greek philosophy and civilization, all the while laying the foundations for the spread of humanism. Several types of places of philosophical importance will be thoroughly studied on- and off-site (including but not limited to archaeological sites, monuments, temples, and churches), thus providing participants with invaluable knowledge and firsthand experience of how Greek philosophy unfolded and the Western civilization was shaped.
The sacred rock of Acropolis, the Agora, the Platonic Academy and the Lyceum, the Odeon of Herodus Atticus and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus are just a few of the sites to be visited and studied, offering a unique stage to experientially explore how ancient Greek philosophy radiated and transitioned to Byzantine Christianity. Participants will be familiarized with the basic principles of the local architecture, art and culture through that transition.
The Course takes a multi-disciplinary approach in exploring a 2,000 years of philosophical tradition and culture in Athens, and aims to provide participants with the relevant tools to educate and be educated on the origins of classical culture and education across the curriculum. Designed to offer both indoor and outdoor learning experiences, the Course aims to provide participants with some understanding of the benefits, processes, and skills related to learning in the outdoors, without, though, training them as outdoor specialists.
Carefully designed experiential learning, teaching in context, and on- and off-site exercises will bring all visited sites and destinations in life before the participants and thus help them better understand, and crucially teach, classical Greek culture and Greek philosophy.
Aspects of the course content are driven by the participants’ unfolding curiosity about the history, geography, culture, and religion of the visited and thoroughly studied destinations and sites.
Teaching
A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be used, including but not limited to lectures, discussion seminars, workshop tasks, and outdoor activities, designed and delivered by the world acclaimed and highly specialized academic faculty of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
The course will conclude with student-led outdoor teaching sessions.
Teaching contact time is scheduled at 64 hours over 10 days comprising but not restricted to practical sessions, lectures, and workshops.
Participants are expected to complete relevant readings and assignments in their own free study time.
Participants will spend a considerable amount of time learning, exploring, and teaching indoors and outdoors in both enclosed areas and green-space. Appropriate clothing and footwear is crucial.
The ways in which theory and policy inform practice is a dominant theme of the course. This is reflected in the teaching and, in particular, the three forms of assessment, all of which are inter-linked.
The closing teaching session and essay at the end of the Course require participants to refer to available literature on indoor and outdoor learning, as well as national/state education policy documents.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their teaching assignment, pamphlet and written assignment with their course instructor and peers during formative feedforward tutorials.
Assessment
- Educational pamphlet (30%): Participants shall design and produce a 2-page educational pamphlet on an educational aspect of the Course (1000 words equivalent)
- Outdoor teaching session (30%): In pairs, Participants shall plan, facilitate and evaluate a short outdoor lesson (accompanied by a lesson plan and risk management plan; 1000 words equivalent)
- Essay (40%): Participants will deliver an academic paper outlining the theoretical underpinning of the lesson and a critical reflection on the teaching performance (1500 words).
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their teaching assignment, pamphlet and written assignment with their course instructor and peers during formative feedforward tutorials.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Course, Participants will have acquired:
- An understanding of the broad concepts that underpin curricular outdoor learning,
- Detailed knowledge on the great Classic philosophical achievements of Greece and a good understanding of their intellectual outputs,
- A deep understanding of the philosophical tradition in Greece,
- A good understanding of Greek philosophy and philosophical terminology,
- Detailed knowledge and deep understanding of the different philosophical terms of Ancient and Byzantine philosophy,
- An appreciation for the philosophical life in Ancient Greece,
- The ability to search for, evaluate and use information to develop their knowledge and understanding,
- An appreciation for the relevant ideas, methods and ways of thinking,
- The ability to take responsibility for their own learning, and a commitment to continuous reflection, self-evaluation and self-improvement,
- The ability to sustain intellectual interest and be academically curious,
- The ability to effectively use oral, written, and visual means to critique, negotiate, create, and communicate their understanding, and
- The flexibility to transfer their knowledge, learning, skills, and abilities from one context to another.
Fees
The Course Fee is all inclusive and covers tuition costs, entrance fees to all venues, accommodation, full board and all transfers for the entire duration of the Course.
Full information on the Course itinerary, destinations and accommodation options can be found here.
A 20% deposit per Participant is required upon registration and no latter than 12 weeks before the Course starts. The deposit will be reclaimed towards the total Course Fee.
Please note that study in Greece may incur additional costs e.g. visa application fees.
Early bird rates, as well as special rates for academics of valued partner institutions apply (faculty members, researchers, students).
DAY 1 WELCOME
- The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Museum
- Athens
DAY 2 SOCRATES AND THE SOPHISTS
- Acropolis
- Ancient Greek Agora
- Pnyx
- Plaka
- Athens
DAY 3 PLATO’S ACADEMY
- Plato’s Academy
Athens
DAY 4 ARISTOTLE’S LYCEUM
- Aristotle’s Lyceum
- Athens
DAY 5 STOICS VS THE EPICUREANS
- Stoa of Attalos
- Plaka
- Garden of Epicurus
- Athens
DAY 6 PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION
- St. Fotini Church
- Temple of Poseidon
- Athens
- Sounio
DAY 7 ANCIENT THEATERS
- Odeon of Herodes Atticus
- Ancient Theater of Epidaurus
- Archaeological Museum of Epidaurus
- Athens
- Epidaurus
DAY 8 A DAY AT THE MUSEUM
- Acropolis Museum
- Pnyx
- Thission
- Athens
DAY 9 THE DECLINE OF ANCIENT GREEK PHILOSOPHY
- Acropolis
- Byzantine Museum of Athens
- Athens
DAY 10 DEPARTURE
- Athens
We can customize your Short Course any way you want to ensure a most memorable Greek adventure!
Do not hesitate to request more information by dropping us a line here.
All Short Courses are taught by our expert EKPA professors in English, however they may be also offered in Greek, German, French, Italian, Russian and Romanian upon request.
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