Seeger Center for Hellenic Studies

(previous semesters)

Regularly Offered Courses

Elementary Modern Greek II
HLS 102/MOG 102 

A continuation of HLS 101, aiming to develop skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing modern Greek in a cultural context. Classroom activities include videos, comprehension and grammar exercises, and discussions.
Dimitri Gondicas  Classes: 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. MTWTh

Advanced Modern Greek
HLS 107/MOG 107 

Advanced composition and oral practice aimed at developing idiomatic written and spoken style. Discussions entirely in Greek. Introduces students to contemporary Greek culture and literature through the study of works by Cavafy, Sikelianos, Seferis, Elytis, Ritsos, and Anagnostakis, among others. Readings from articles on current Greek topics.
Staff  Classes: 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. MTWTh

One-Time-Only Courses

Studies in the Classical Tradition:
The Olympic Games: Ancient and Modern
CLA 335/HLS 335

In this course we draw out the relations between the ancient and the modern manifestations of the Olympic idea in the institution of the Olympic Games. We examine the nature, the origin and the context of the ancient Games and compare our findings to the revival of the Olympic idea in the late nineteenth century. We inquire into the cultural politics involved in the modern Olympic movement, taking as our main example the city of Athens, the site of the first modern Games in 1896 and the imminent Games in 2004. During the spring recess all registered students will take a group study visit to Greece, a required component of the course. Admission by application.
Constanze Magdalene Güthenke  Seminar: 3:00 - 4:20 p.m. TTh

Special Topics in Byzantine Civilization
Empires in Transition: From Byzantium to the Ottomans
HLS 362/NES 362

This course will explore issues of continuity and change in political institutions, religious practices, secular life, and spaces of worship, from the Christian Orthodox Byzantine Empire to the Islamic Ottoman Empire. Topics will include: the imperial capital, from Constantinople to Istanbul; provincial cities; urban neighborhoods; churches to mosques and monasteries to zaviyyes; transformations of Christian rituals; saints to evliyas; nobles and peasants; commerce, seafaring, and naval technology.
Heath W. Lowry  Class: 1:30 - 2:50 p.m. TTh

Faith and Power
Byzantine Art Between Constantinople and Moscow, ca. 1250 - ca. 1550s
ART 433/HLS 433

This course will focus on the artistic tradition of the Late Byzantine Empire, the Balkan competitor states, and the emerging Russian Empire. The course is conceived in conjunction with a major exhibition entitled “Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557)” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the spring of 2004. Advantage will be taken of this opportunity by visiting the show and doing specific projects with works of art on display.
Slobodan Ćurčić   Seminar: 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. M

Special Topics in Public Affairs
US-EU Relations and the Case of Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus
WWS 487/HLS 487

The seminar will examine US-EU relations and the European Union enlargement process. It will use as case studies the entry of Greece to the EU, the impending accession of Cyprus, and the candidacy of Turkey. It will discuss multilateral conflict management (Cyprus), democracy-building in multi-ethnic traditional societies (Turkey), and the increased importance to local political and economic elites of Brussels, rather than Washington (Greece). During the spring recess, all registered students will take a group study visit to Greece, a required component of the course. This course is open to juniors and seniors only. Admission by application.
John B. Kiesling   Seminar: 1:30 - 4:20 p.m. W

Graduate Courses

Greek Literary Culture in Late Antiquity: Pagans and Christians
REL/HLS 511

This course is an introduction to post-classical Greek with a view to the interaction of pagan with Christian literature. Designed to build upon and complement Susan Wessel’s introductory course on Late Greek, the aim is to help students to improve their language skills by guiding them through the reading and interpretation of primary source material, and by giving them a concrete grasp of larger historical issues through close reading of extracts from select texts. This will involve reading in Greek and in English translation, short quizzes, and sight translations. A wide range of texts will be considered with attention to the literary form (letters, commentaries, homilies, apologies, dialogues) and aim, style, and function as well as to the way these literary forms were taken up and redeployed to meet distinctly Christian needs.
Yannis Papadoyannakis Seminar: Tuesdays, 3:00-4:30 p.m., and Fridays, 1:00-2:30 p.m

Problems in Late Antique and Byzantine Art and Architecture: The Byzantine House
ART 535/HLS 535

The seminar will be devoted to the subject of the "Byzantine house" (4th - 15th Cent.). Issues pertaining to questions of function, planning, formal and spatial articulation will be explored. "Byzantine house" will be studied in relationship to ecclesiastical architecture. Links with military architecture will also be explored as responses to particular security needs. Special attention will be given to the "image" of the house in Byzantine art.
Slobodan  Ćurčić   Seminar: 7:00 - 9:50 p.m. Th

The Origins of the Middle Ages
HIS 543

Reading and research on the transition of ancient into medieval society, religion, and culture are the focus of this course.
Peter R. Brown  Seminar: 9:00 - 11:50 a.m. T
 

Other Courses of Interest

Fall 2003 course offerings
Spring 2003 course offerings
Fall 2002 course offerings
Spring 2002 course offerings
Fall 2001 course offerings
Spring 2001 course offerings
Fall 2000 course offerings
Spring 2000 course offerings
Fall 1999 course offerings