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HIST 3357 6.0 – Greece: A Modern History

This course focuses on the history of Modern Greece (1800 to the present) and starts with two weeks intensive reading and discussion of key historical events before moving to Athens for a month. In Greece, the course combines in-class sessions with mostly on-site teaching to provide in-depth understanding of major developments in social, cultural, economic and political history of Greece since 1800.

The course starts by exploring the history of Ottoman and Venetian areas that formed the Greek State and includes themes such as: the Revolution of 1821, economic and social change in the nineteenth century; Greece in the Balkans; WWI and the interwar period; war and occupation in the 1940s; emigration and the Greek Diaspora; the 1967-1974 dictatorship and the post-1980s period of European integration, to the present and recent crises and challenges.

Teaching is based primarily on experiential learning through visits to museums that provide a unique insight to modern and contemporary history and present-day Greece, as well as visits to historical archives and research centres to understand how historians do research. In the second week of the course, students may have the opportunity to visit the island of Syros for a three-day summer school in Greek and Mediterranean history offered in association with the National Research Institute, as well as a two-day trip to the island of Hydra.

Applications will be open from November 11, 2024 to January 10, 2025.

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Prerequisites: None. History students may have preference.

Location: Athens, Greece

Course Dates:
May 12 - 22, 2025 in person at York; May 30 - June 28, 2025 in Athens, Greece

Course Director:

Prof. Sakis Gekas, Associate Professor, Hellenic Heritage Foundation Chair in Modern Greek History, Department of History (agekas@yorku.ca)

Enrolment: Min. 10 students, max. 18 students

Course Details

3-day (2 nights) trip to Hydra Island
4-day (3 nights) trip to Syros Island
The Hellenic Parliament
National Historic Museum
The Museum of the City of Athens
And more!

Students will stay in groups of 3-6 in shared apartments provided by College Year Athens. All apartments are in the Pangrati neighborhood of central Athens, about a 5-10 minute from the CYA Academic Centre and close to public transportation, restaurants, coffee shops, and stores.
There is no meal plan given that students have full kitchens in their apartments.

There is no group flight for this course, and all admitted students are responsible for booking and paying for their own flights. If you wish to arrive in Greece earlier than the course start date, or stay after the course is complete, you will be responsible for finding and paying for your own accommodations.

Students are responsible for knowing Greece’s entry and exit requirements and ensuring they have the appropriate travel documents. Please refer to the Government of Canada’s travel advisories and information for Greece. Students should consult the Greek Consulate General’s website to see if they require a tourist visa based on their country of citizenship. Students requiring a tourist visa should apply for one at least 2 months before their scheduled departure.
Any students with layovers in another country en route to Greece must also check that country’s entry and exit requirements and obtain a transit visa if one is needed.

Program Costs

Cost		Details
Estimated Program Fee	$ (based on 10 students)	Included in program fee: accommodations in Athens, transportation within Athens, transportation and accommodations for overnight trips to Hydra and Syros, all site visits and excursions, museum passes, welcome and farewell meal, professor-related costs (travel, accommodations, meals, incidentals). **Program fee subject to change based on final number students and final course itinerary.
Additional Costs
Flights to/from Athens	$1,200	Estimate. Depends on departure location and date of purchase.
Guard.me Travel Insurance	$50	Estimate. Students are required to purchase Guard.me insurance.
Spending money	$1000	Variable. All students should budget additional funds for meals, transportation, gifts, personal travel, etc.
York University Tuition (Domestic)	$1,449.18	Approximate based on Summer 2024 LA&PS tuition fees for 6.0 credits. Subject to change.
York University Tuition (International)	$7,447.68	Approximate based on Summer 2024 LA&PS tuition fees for 6.0 credits. Subject to change.
Approximate Total Program Costs (subject to change)
Domestic Students		$ TBA
International Students		$ TBA

Photo Gallery

Students from Greece HIST 3357 summer abroad course pose for group photo

Hear from our Students!

Not only did I gain credit requirements and learn interesting material in a hands-on manner, but I grew so much as a person and felt like the friends I made and the experiences I had will stretch far beyond this course. I will always remember it.

— Timo Zografos, Summer 2024

During my time studying modern Greek history, I was able to gain a unique perspective on many topics relevant to Greece throughout the 1800s to present day. Being able to see Athens as well as the other cities and Greek islands was the best possible way to earn credits during the summer, while learning about my own family’s heritage.

— Jedd Kenedy, HIST 3357, Athens, Greece, Summer 2023

Stepping out of my comfort zone to attend this study abroad course was the best decision. Being immersed in a new culture was an invaluable experience, made even better by the friends I gained in the process.

— Bobbi Christie, HIST 3357, Athens, Greece, Summer 2023