Europe: Unearthing the Past - Maymester 2020
Program Description
"... it's the fast track to becoming cultured."
Climb the Acropolis to the majestic Parthenon in Athens, Greece; stroll through the once vibrant streets of ancient Pompeii and the poetic landscape of Paestum, Italy with stately Greek Temples; retrace Julius Caesar's steps in the Roman Forum, Rome; and anticipate the start of gladiator combats in the Colosseum, Rome. Admire ancient artistic masterpieces in the Vatican and Capitoline Museums, the Venus de Milo and Nike of Samothrace in the Louvre, and Michelangelo's iconic statue of David in Florence. Look up at the dome of the Pantheon in Rome; Brunelleschi's dome in Florence; and the domes of the Pantheon in Paris and St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Stroll through the Classical gardens of Versailles and Stourhead, England and the timeless streets of Roman Florence, Paris, and London. Enter the Roman baths of beautiful Georgian Bath, England, and contemplate the legacy of Pericles' Athens as you marvel at the breathtaking Classical beauty of the Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) in the British Museum.
A Maymester program that focuses on the history, art, architecture, and archaeology of Europe with site visits to iconic monuments, museums, and excavations. Various topics and itineraries throughout Europe examine the material culture of Classical Europe (Troy to Augustine) and its Legacy on Western Culture. Students enroll in 2 courses (6 credit hours total): CLAS4130 Archaeology of Rome's Provinces and a second course depending on the program itinerary: CLAS4395 Legacy of Classical Antiquity OR CLAS4390 The Grand Tour OR CLAS4110 Early Rome and the Etruscans. The program is physically challenging and may not be suitable for all students. Participation is limited to a maximum of 20 students with preference given to students who declare a Classics Minor. Both of the program's courses (6 credit hours total) count towards the Classics Minor (15 credit hours of advanced course work). The program also fulfills the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Experiential Learning requirement.
Topic/Itinerary for 2020 (Greece, Italy, France, and England): From the Parthenon in Athens, Greece to the Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles) in the British Museum, London, England.
Courses: CLAS4130 Archaeology of Rome's Provinces and CLAS4395 Legacy of Classical Antiquity.
Academic Goals of the Program: To study step-by-step the material legacy and impact of the Classical cultures of ancient Greece and Rome throughout Europe on the history, art, architecture, literature, and archaeology of key periods in Western history: Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Enlightenment, Counter-Reformation, Neoclassicism, the Grand Tour; Fascism, and Contemporary Culture.
Program Director and Faculty
Mario Erasmo is Professor of Classics at the University of Georgia specializing in the Legacy of Classical Antiquity, the Cultural History of Death, and the Meta-theatricality of Ancient Rome. He is an Associate Faculty Member of the UGA Center for Archaeological Sciences. Professor Erasmo is the author of numerous books and articles, including Death: Antiquity and Its Legacy (I.B. Tauris, 2012) and Reading Death in Ancient Rome (Ohio, 2008). His extensive travel and study abroad experience across Europe informs his walking guides Strolling Through Rome: The Definitive Walking Guide to the Eternal City (I.B. Tauris, 2015; Tauris Parke 2019) and Strolling Through Florence: The Definitive Walking Guide to the Renaissance City (I.B. Tauris, 2017).
Courses
CLAS4130: The Archaeology of Rome's Provinces
Credits: 3
Course Description: The archaeology of the Western and/or Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, concentrating on the major cities and sanctuaries and their physical remains.
Meeting date(s): TBA
Instructor: Professor Mario Erasmo
Department: UGA Department of Classics
E-mail: merasmo@uga.edu
CLAS4395: The Legacy of Classical Antiquity
Credits: 3
Course Description: An examination of the cultural legacy of Classical antiquity in the West on the development of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, and Modern art and architecture studied against the backdrop of the rise of Christianity, Humanism, the Counter-Reformation, the Enlightenment and Fascism.
Meeting date(s): TBA
Instructor: Professor Mario Erasmo
Department: UGA Department of Classics
E-mail: merasmo@uga.edu
TOTAL: 6 Credit Hours
2020 Program Dates
May 8th, 2020 - All participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to Athens, Greece at the start of the program and from London, England at the end of the program. In order to arrive in Athens, Greece on May 11th for the beginning of the program. May 10th is the last possible day to depart the United States. All other travel within Europe is included in the program fee.
May 9th, 2020 - Official start of the program
May 28th, 2020 - Official end of the program
Tentative Program Itinerary
Athens, Greece
- Acropolis - The Parthenon, Erectheum (Porch of the Maidens: Caryatids), and Areopagus
- Theatre of Dionysus
- Ancient Agora and Classical Athens
- New Acropolis Museum
- National Archaeological Museum
- Historic Plaka Area
- Free Day
Pompeii, Italy
- Pompeii Archaeological Site including the Temple of Isis, Roman Amphitheatre, and the Villa of the Mysteries
Paestum, Italy
- Greek Temples and Archaeological Museum
Naples, Italy
- National Archaeological Museum with Pompeii frescoes and the Farnese Collection of Ancient Sculpture
Rome, Italy
- Vatican Museums; Renaissance Rome: Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and Vatican Grottoes
- Ancient Rome: Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Colosseum
- Piazza del Campidoglio and Capitoline Museum
- Pantheon and Piazza Navona Area
- Piazza della Repubblica Area
- Baroque Rome (Quirinal Hill; Trevi Fountain; Spanish Steps)
- Villa Aurora
- Free Day
Tivoli, Italy
- Hadrian's Villa
- Villa d' Este: Renaissance palace and garden with famous fountains
Florence, Italy
- Galleria dell' Accademia (Michelangelo's David)
- Brunelleschi's Dome and Historic Centre including Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio; Roman Florence
Paris, France
- Louvre
- Pantheon and Latin Quarter: Roman Paris
- Versailles
- Free Day
Bath, England
- Roman Baths
- Georgian Bath: Pulteney Bridge, the Circus and Royal Crescent
- Stourhead Gardens
London, England
- Roman London
- Museum of London
- New St. Pancras
- British Museum with Parthenon Sculptures (Elgin Marbles)
- Free Day
Housing and Meals
All hotels are centrally located and include breakfast and access to WiFi (occasionally for a fee). Several group meals are included, otherwise, students will have many food options at various price points.
Program Costs
The basic cost of the program is estimated at $3,668.00 (Subject to change for 2020). Tuition is not included in this cost. See bursar.uga.edu for tuition rates. The cost of the program includes:
- Program Deposit (due after acceptance to program) - applied towards total program cost
- International Health Insurance (UGA requirement)
- Charter bus and/or train transportation on planned field trips
- Admission to sites and museums on the program itinerary
- Airfare from within Europe
- Shared hotel accommodations
Students who are not residents of Georgia or do not attend a University System of Georgia University or College pay an additional $250.00.
