Open Courses

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An Introduction to the Archaeology of the Ancient Theatre Martin Kreeb - Undergraduate - (A+) Theatrical Studies, University of Patras This introductory lesson deals with the birth and the evolution of the architectural form of the (greek and roman) theatre.
Byzantine History Nikolaos Charalabopoulos - Undergraduate - (A+) Department of Philology, University of Patras The lectures of this course aim at familiarizing the students with the basic developmental phases of the Byzantine Empire throughout its millennial history. By means of a representative chronological narrative, accompanied by a selective commentary on the relevant sources (edicts, historical narratives, epigrams, coins, monuments), the students are expected to realise the fundamental structures and principles giving birth to a state that survived for centuries through its transformation from a Christian Late Antique superpower to a Greek Orthodox Medieval power before ending as a Greek proto-modern kingdom.
Ancient Greek Historiography: Herodotus Nikolaos Charalampopoulos - Undergraduate - (A+) Department of Philology, University of Patras The lectures for this course comprise the interpretation of selected passages from three books of Herodotus’ Histories so that the students may develop a better understanding of the Herodotean narrative and the horizon of expectations of his original audience (third quarter of 5th century BC). The discussion culminates in the narrative of the three main battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis. All three are read both as historical facts and as narrative blocks.
Ancient Greek History Aggeliki Syrkou - Undergraduate - (A-) Department of Philology, University of Patras From the 8th BC century until the death of Alexander: we will examine the evolution of the ancient Greek world, the creation of the City -State, the relationship between cities and the development of state structures during this period. Emphasis will be given on important political and social events that determined the life of the ancient Greeks and partly the history of the City- State. Selectively will study historical sources (Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon, Arrian) and ancient Greek inscriptions.
Introduction to the Byzantine Studies CHRISTOS STAVRAKOS - Undergraduate - (A+) Department of History and Archaeology, University of Ioannina General Introduction to the Byzantine Culture Reading and Understanding of Sources Excursion to Byzantine Arta and Nikopolis
Theory of the archaeological discipline: main trends and schools. Giorgos Vavouranakis - Undergraduate - (A+) Faculty of History and Archaeology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens The object of the course is the familiarisation with the main directions of archaeological thoughts, such as Culture History, New or Processual Archaeology and Post Processual Archaeology. The course objective is the critical study of the theoretical frame, within which any archaeological research is circumscribed. The treatment of theoretical issues is based upon indicative examples from the prehistoric Aegean. Teaching is enriched by the use of new technologies (digital presentations, e-class), discussion on indicative themes of the theory of archaeology and a visit to the National Archaeological Museum.
Landscape archaeology: theoretical and interpretative approaches Giorgos Vavouranakis - Undergraduate - (A+) Faculty of History and Archaeology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens The subject of this course is on the one hand the presentation of the main concepts and methods that constitute the research field of ‘landscape archaeology’ and, on the other hand, the contribution of this field to the understanding of Aegean Prehistory. The course is divided into three cycles. The first cylce focuses on the definition of the concept of landscape and to the various theoretical and methodological approaches: traditional iconography, processual surface survey, post-processual and cognitive interpretative methods, Georgaphical Information Systems and landscape modelling. The second cycle focuses on indicative Prehistoric case studies: Palaeolithic and Mesolithic cave use, Neolithic tell and extended settlements, Early Cycladic networks of maritime interation, Bronze Age funerary monuments in the Peloponnese and Crete, Minoan peak sanctuaries, Late Bronze Age frescoes in the Aegean. The third cycle examines landscape as a cultural heritage resource and outlines the institutional framework and related practices for its protection.
Prehistoric Archaeology B'. Minoan Archaeology Eleni Mantzourani - Undergraduate - (A+) Faculty of History and Archaeology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens All the periods of the Minoan civilization's development will be studied. Special emphasis will be given to the development of the various arts (ceramic art, stone vase making, faience working, wall painting etc) from the Prepalatial to the Final Palatial Period.
Introduction to the World History Maria Efthymiou - Undergraduate - (A+) Faculty of History and Archaeology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens It is a tour in the main points of World History, in the big sections that have changed structures of the earth's societies and caused the birth of new religions, technologies, ideologies, institutions as well as economic and social realities.
Theory of History Antonis Liakos - Undergraduate - (A-) History and Archaeology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens The course refers to the concept of history and its main theories and methodologies. How does the past turn into history? How do we create cohesive, meaningful histories out of the chaotic events and phenomena of past times? Is history the sole way in which modern societies relate to the past? What is the role of myth, memory, art? What is public history? What is historical experience? Dominant trends in historical thought: Historicism and social history, structuralism and the longues durées, from culture to cultural history, micro-history and social anthropology, mnemonic studies, oral history and psychoanalysis, feminism and gender history, meta-history and the linguistic turn. Postmodernism and the problem of truth. Transnational history and historiography. What "the end of history" means and what are the prospects for historical studies and for historians?