Basic Program of Liberal Education

Study in Greece: Spring Break in Greece

Sunset view of Athenian treasury at the ancient Delphi site in Greece.

The Graham School is pleased to offer an opportunity for Basic Program students to travel to Greece accompanied by Athens Centre archaeologists, Iris Plaitakis and John Leonard, along with a Basic Program Instructor, Kendall Sharp and trip coordinator Jan Watson. Experience firsthand many of the historic places that you have encountered in the Core Curriculum readings. Students will enjoy on site lectures visiting sites in Athens, such as the temple of Athena on the Acropolis, Socrates's jail cell in the Agora, and major museums. We will venture outside of Athens to visit the Lions Gate in Mycenae the city of Agamemnon, the theatre of Epidaurus, Nestor's Palace in Pylos, Olympia, and Apollo's temple and the Oracle of Delphi. In addition to a pre-trip seminar, there will be time to discuss the sites in relation to the texts with your instructor and your fellow students

All Basic Program students and alumni of the program are eligible to apply for the trip. Spouses and partners are cordially welcome. The application period for the program will open in late November. 

The synergy with the Basic Program courses is great. We read a lot of material over the four years and to actually see the locations made that come alive. I feel more attached to the Basic Program after visiting Greece and better appreciate the special bond the Basic Program creates among its students.

Past Participant in Basic Program Travel to Greece

Athens based archeologists and a Basic Program Instructor lead the trip.

Archeologist for Athens:  Iris Plaitakis earned a M. Phil in Classical Archaeology from Oxford University and a BA in Classics and Art History from Tufts.  She has led university travel study programs for The Athens Centre since 2009 and is an experienced museum educator.  She is a visual artist and describes her work as a meditation on pattern.  Iris led us in Athens in September 2022 and in March 2023.

Archeologist for sites outside of Athens:  John Leonard co-led the March 2023 Spring Break in Greece and led the September trip to Crete and Ancient Thera.  He holds a PhD in Greek & Roman archaeology from the University at Buffalo, SUNY.   John is an archaeologist and a writer & editor.  He is a visiting professor of ancient Greek & Roman art, archaeology and, history and is a specialist in Cypriot archaeology.  He is the former assistant director of an archaeological research institute (CAARI) and has diverse record of field research, terrestrial & marine.

A Basic Program Instructor will serve as trip scholar and lead a pre-trip seminar as well as a series of discussion sessions during our trip.

Kendall Sharp is currently the Cyril O. Houle Chair of the Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults. He holds a PhD from the Committee on Social Thought and a BA from the College at the University of Chicago. Formerly, he was Assistant Professor in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Western Ontario, and has taught also at DePaul University (history), the University of Illinois-Chicago (classics), and in the College (humanities). He rejoined the Basic Program in 2019, having last served on the staff from 1999–2000. His research and publishing focus on Plato's dialogues as literary expressions of the philosophical life. His teaching has included Greek and Latin languages, classics in translation (literature, philosophy, history), and both classical mythology and ancient Greek science. Kendall served as trip scholar on the 2023 Spring Break in Greece.

Jan Watson is the Associate Director of the Basic Program and runs the Study in Oxford programs and trips to Greece.  This will be Jan’s 6th trip in Greece with Graham students.   Jan is a 2007 graduate of the Basic Program and has extensive experience touring with performing arts companies.

  • Pre-trip seminar
  • Pre-trip reception
  • Double-occupancy hotel accommodations
  • Daily breakfast and lunch, arrival day reception, welcome and farewell dinners.
  • Archaeologist and expert led site and museum tours.
  • Discussion sessions led by a Basic Program instructor. 
  • Entry to the ancient sites and museums.
  • Coach transportation to sites outside of Athens.
  • Support services provided by the Athens Centre.

Participants are responsible for their own air travel to Greece (and airport transfers) and meals other than those listed above.

Accommodations are in 3-4 star hotels in double hotel rooms located near the sites we will visit. Single travelers may book by paying the single supplement.

Participants should be aware that the trip requires considerable walking in ancient archeological sites. Ability to climb 2-3 flights of stairs and ability to stand for up to 90 minutes is required.


Greek Text Inscription on a rock in Delphi.

Readings are arranged based on locations we will visit. Readings will be provided in PDF before the Pre-Trip Seminar.

Athens: A Place, a Goddess, and a Way of Life

  • The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War, Free Press, ISBN 978-0684827902.

    Please read Book 2.35 – 2.46 – Pericles’ Funeral Oration
  • Plato: Five Dialogues, Trans. Grube, Hackett 2nd Ed., ISBN 978-0872206335

    Please read the Apology, p. 22-44 and the Phaedo 115a-118a (p. 151-154)

At Home in Pylos with Nestor

  • Homer, The Odyssey (Fagles tr.), Penguin, ISBN 978-0140268867.

    Please read Book 3, where Telemachus visits Nestor at Pylos.

Gods, Games, and Gifts at Olympia & Delphi

  • The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories. Penguin Random House, ISBN 9781400031146.

    Please read Book 1.7-92 (Delphi), 6.99-140 (Marathon), 8.48-63 (Acropolis burned)

Lion Gate in Mycenae, Greece.

Athens: A Place, a Goddess, and a Way of Life

Discussion #1, March 9

Readings: The Landmark Thucydides: A Comprehensive Guide to the Peloponnesian War, Free Press, ISBN 978-0684827902. Please read Book 2.35 – 2.46 – Pericles’ Funeral Oration Plato: Five Dialogues, Trans. Grube, Hackett 2nd Ed., ISBN 978-0872206335

Please read the Apology, p. 22-44 and the Phaedo 115a-118a (p. 151-154)

 

At Home in Pylos with Nestor

Discussion #2, March 11

Readings:

Homer, The Odyssey (Fagles tr.), Penguin, ISBN 978-0140268867.

Please read Book 3, where Telemachus visits Nestor at Pylos.

 

Gods, Games, and Gifts at Olympia & Delphi

Discussion #3, March 15

Readings:

The Landmark Herodotus: The Histories. Penguin Random House, ISBN 9781400031146.

Please read Book 1.7-92 (Delphi), 6.99-140 (Marathon), 8.48-63 (Acropolis burned)


A golden death mask called the "Mask of Agamemnon."

Ruins of Appollo temple with fortress at back in ancient Corinth, Greece.
   
Day One
  • Arrive in Athens
  • Check in to group hotel
  • Group Lunch
  • Visit to the ancient Agora
  • Cocktail reception
  • Welcome Dinner / Overnight Athens
Day Two
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to the Acropolis site
  • Lunch at a taverna 
  • Guided visit to the Acropolis Museum
  • Overnight Athens
Day Three
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to the National Archaeological Museum
  • Lunch at a nearby taverna
  • Guided visit to the Kerameikos site
  • Discussion session #1 with Basic Program Instructor
  • Overnight Athens
Day Four
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to Mycenae site and museum and the Tomb of Atreas
  • Guided visit to Tyrins site
  • Lunch
  • Discussion Session #2
  • Overnight Nafplion

Day Five

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to Epidaurus theatre, museum, and sanctuary
  • Lunch
  • Overnight Pylos
Day Six
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to Pylos site (Nestor's palace) and museum with a special behind the scenes look at the new excavations with Sharon Stocker from the University of Cincinnati
  • Lunch
  • Overnight Olympia
Day Seven
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to Olympia site and museum
  • Lunch
  • Bus to Delphi
  • Overnight Delphi
Day Eight
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to museum and Upper site, Sanctuary of Apollon
  • Lunch
  • Discussion Session #3
  • Overnight Delphi
Day Nine
  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Guided visit to Lower site, Sanctuary of Athena
  • Lunch
  • Bus to Athens
  • Farewell dinner / Overnight Athens
Day Ten
  • Departure

The full cost of tuition is $5,100.  This price is per person for a twin/double room.   The single supplement is $800.  A $1200 deposit is due upon acceptance into the program and no later than January 16, 2024. The balance of the tuition is due no later than January 22, 2024. All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing. Cancellations received between December 19, 2023 and January 22, 2024 will result in a forfeiture of 60% of program costs per person.  No refunds will be given for cancellations received after January 22, 2024.  In the unlikely event of the cancellation of the program by the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies or by the Athens Center, a full refund will be given.

Price does not include airfare or ground transportation to and from the Athens airport and the hotel.  Meals included are daily breakfast and lunch, and 2 dinners.  All hotel rooms are en suite. 

We strongly suggest that participants purchase travel insurance to protect against nonrefundable costs incurred when travel must be postponed on short notice. We are unable to make exceptions to our refund policies.

Participants may elect instead to waive this requirement understanding fully that the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies is under no obligation to provide a refund after cancellation dates have passed.

Participants should also confirm that their medical insurance covers expenses while in Greece or arrange for alternative medical insurance.

The University of Chicago, the University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies, and the Athens Centre have no responsibility in whole or in part for any loss, death, damage, or injury to person or property or accident, mechanical defect, failure or negligence of any nature howsoever caused in connection with any accommodation, transportation, or other services. Baggage is at the owner’s risk entirely. The right is retained to decline to accept or retain any person as a trip member should such person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the trip or the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other participants.

For further information, please email basicprogram@uchicago.edu.

All Basic Program students and alumni of the program are eligible to apply for the trip. Spouses and partners are cordially welcome.  The application period for the program will open in late November. 

Participants should be aware that the trip requires considerable walking in ancient archeological sites. Ability to climb 2-3 flights of stairs and ability to stand for up to 90 minutes is required.

A $1200 per person deposit is required once accepted into the program and no later than December 18, 2023.  The balance of the fee is due no later than January 22, 2024.  All cancellations and requests for refunds must be submitted in writing.  Cancellations received between December 19, 2023 and January 22, 2024 will result in a forfeiture of 60% of program costs per person.  No refunds will be given for cancellations received after January 22, 2024.  In the unlikely event of the cancellation of the program by the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies or by the Athens Center, a full refund will be given.