News that La Trobe lecturer, Dr Despina Michael’s contract will not be renewed for 2012, has thrown a spanner in the works for Greek Studies at La Trobe – and has subsequently led to the threat of the closure of the Modern Greek program. The removal of Dr Michael directly effects students such as Tara Zander who is an Honours student, and has Dr Michael as a supervisor.
“I’m mid-way through my Honours and her dismissal leaves me personally without a supervisor,” says Zander.
Alongside fellow student Stella Sarikoudis, they have written to Neos Kosmos in an attempt to garner more support from other students and also supporters of the Greek Studies program at La Trobe to reinstate Dr Michael’s contract.
When asked why she wrote the letter, Zander told Neos Kosmos that she and Sarikoudis were “angry about the decision to dismiss Dr Despina Michael”.
Zander, who majors in Archaeology and Greek Studies says she stumbled across Dr Michael’s classes as an alternative to studying the language and hasn’t looked back.
“Dr Michael is an inspiring teacher,” says Zander. “She’s innovative, she brings the study of history to her students in a multidisciplinary way – we look at the Modern history of Greece through song and film – her learning is very broad, so although we focus on the Greek studies she also teaches Ancient Mediterranean subjects and her study incorporates Greece’s neighbours.”
Knowing that other students feel the same way about the lecturer, the students set up a facebook group entitled “European/Greek Studies at La Trobe” as a forum to express their concern about the future of Greek Studies at the university. 90 people have joined this group, which has become a venting ground for upset students over the announcement of the lecturer’s departure.
This week, Tia Spanos wrote on the page: “I didn’t realise that Despina was on contract. Furthermore, she is one of the most distinguished and diligent teachers I have ever come across. I am shocked and dismayed at this action. This is most definitely a loss for La Trobe and for Modern Greek and European Studies in Australia. Is there any direct action we can take/anyone we can write to, to highlight our displeasure at this action?” And Katerina Papa wrote: “This is very sad to hear. I enjoyed the classes I had with Despina. It would be a massive shame to see her go. Something should be done to save the classes. A suggestion would be to promote the classes that are offered at the university. I don’t think many people at uni even know that these classes are offered/exist. What are peoples thoughts?”
“Personally, I can see that Greek language will continue as that’s what the head of the school seems to be saying, but without the history subjects that are complimentary to that, I don’t understand how students will be able to access a wide variety of subjects relating to Modern Greek specifically?” says Zander.
