The best

Summer Camp

Seminars

Discover, Write and Express : A journey to powerful creative writing

Dr Jem Poster, University of Cambridge

Dr Sarah Burton, University of Cambridge

Students will be encouraged to develop their powers of expression through a series of workshop exercises which will flex their ‘writing muscles’. We’ll explore the interplay between memory and imagination and how we can use this to inspire powerful writing. We’ll discover how to create three-dimensional and believable characters.

An expedition into the medieval city centre will help stimulate students to make use of environment imaginatively and create new narratives inspired by real historical people and events. If you like writing, you’ll love this experience; if this is new territory it may prove a revelation!

Astronomy and Civilizations: Searching our Origins

A lecture and stargazing event

Dr Eleni Chatzichristou, University Paris-Diderot

Astronomy, Cosmology, the science of the Cosmos, it is as old as humankind. A joint enterprise of science, philosophy and theology, that seeks to gain understanding of the universe and a sense to the existence of living beings. Humans have asked themselves the same questions over the centuries and millennia: Where does the World come from, when did it begin and when is it going to end? How “big” is the World, where does it end and what is there beyond the visible Universe? What is the fate of the Universe and in essence, what is the fate of life ?

Astronomy formed the basis for many cosmological ideas and thoughts, expressed through early science, literature, art and architecture, since the early civilizations up to nowadays. In particular, the past century has been a revolutionary epoch for the sciences of the cosmos, as we were able for the first time to address the fundamental questions of cosmology. We were able to go beyond the apparent and plunge into the deepest realms of the Universe. Astronomy is the archeology of the Universe. During our lectures we will attempt to travel back in time to review the human history which is inextricably linked to the history of the cosmos. We will then attempt to establish our own personal link to the sky, through a stargazing event.

This session features a stargazing event, where students will be taken to the observatory to observe the sky and stars at night.

Language and Cultural interaction in ancient Mediterranean: Did the ancient Greeks speak foreign languages?

Dr Spyros Syropoulos, University of Aegean

The ancient Mediterranean is a notion associated with boundaries. An enclosed sea with many islands, poor areas that cannot sustain an agricultural economy and many peoples and nations that live around this sea like “frogs around a pond”, as Plato described it in one of his works, Phaedrus.
The present lecture aims to: a) Explain the geographical particularities of the Mediterranean and associate them with the expansion of the Greeks in the Mediterranean, especially through colonization between 750-550 B.C; b) Explain the interaction of the Greeks with other cultures and the linguistic abilities of the Greeks to understand or learn foreign languages; c) Explain the nature of “Ancient Greek Language”, the plurality of dialects within this language, the evolution of the language and the relation of Greeks with the language of their ancestors and particular areas or spoken language (i.e. ancient Greek theater); d) Address the issue of language today. The position of Greek language within Greece, within Europe and within a globalized concept of language which is determined by technology and the globalization of social media.

Rhodes of the Bronze Sun

Dr Spyros Syropoulos, University of Aegean

Rhodes of the Hellenistic period has been famous for one of the least known of the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Colossus of Rhodes. So far, we are at a loss regarding the question of the statue’s location, posture and ultimate fate. The aim of this class is to investigate the historical and political background of the construction of the colossal statue. The technique of its construction will be analysed and there will be offered a suggestion with regards to the political importance of the construction.
As it will be evident, reasons far more important than impression, made the construction of the Colossus of Rhodes vital for the faltering economy of the island and helped reinforce its status and economic growth during the Hellenistic period.

Rivival of History and Myths at the ancient stadium and temple of Apollo

Dr Spyros Syropoulos, University of Aegean

The site of the acropolis of Rhodes is unique. The students will have the chance to experience a three-dimensional tour in the past. The history of the island will reveal itself through a walk on the street that leads to the area of donations, the well-preserved musical theatre and the stadium (which includes one of the best preserved starting mechanisms for the athletes. Finally, the descent to the remains of the temple of Apollo will reveal a miracle, both archaeological and political.

Greek Philosophy and Ethics

Mr Manos Hatzimalonas, Boston College

Big philosophical ideas have marked the fates of people, cultures and times. Their stories and the thinkers who articulated them are not just philosophy, but the history of human intellect itself.

Through ordinary language, logic, thought experiments and interactive exercises, lessons on Greek Philosophy and Ethics will explore the ideas and great conversations that gave rise to the Western Civilisation.

Coupled with the process of thinking, philosophical concepts and related historical events will be approached from an experiential basis, thus offering students a relevant, comprehensive and memorable lesson. Indicatively, elements include ideas that relate to self-care, well-being, meaning of life, excellence, success, friendship and citizenship.

The overarching purpose of teaching lessons through Greek Philosophy is to arm students with timeless practical wisdom against the challenges faced by youth in most modern societies. Therefore, content will be departing from facts and concepts, involving more narrative and interactive activities with an aim to stimulate philosophizing, controversy and dialogue on the big ideas that have shaped and continue to shape ourselves and the world.