The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria and the Greek Program of La Trobe University are offering a program of Greek History and Culture during the 2011 academic year. The seminars aim to provide the opportunity to members of the broad Greek community of Melbourne, of post-secondary school age, to delve into the long and fascinating history of Greece, and the Greek culture in its various forms and stages, aspects of which have formed the foundation of Western civilisation.
The seminars do not form part of a course of undergraduate studies. However, at the end of each of the two Semesters, Certificates of Attendance will be issued to regular participants of the seminars. Given the nature of the topics, and in view of the fact that participants will be mainly second and third generation members of the Greek community, it is considered that English will be the appropriate language to be used.
However, conveners may occasionally use the Greek language if the occasion warrants it. Classes, in the form of seminars, will be held on Thursdays, 6.45 pm – 8.45 pm, in Room FS 101, the City Campus of La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, adjacent to Victoria Market. The Seminars will cover the following periods of Greek history, and the major cultural developments per period:
1. Antiquity, Classical Greece, Hellenistic period
2. Greece under the Romans – The Byzantine Empire – Greece under the Venetians and the Franks – The contribution of Greek men of letters and the arts to the Renaissance in Europe – Greece under the Ottoman Empire – The War of Independence
3. Modern Greek State, 1830-1909
4. Greece in the 20th century
5. The Greeks of the Diaspora – The Greek presence in Australia
Attendance of the seminars will be free of charge. However, prospective participants must enrol with the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria by calling the telephone number 9662 2722, or through its e-mail address: info@greekcommunity.com.au