Launched in 1999, The Examined Life program is a professional program for teachers aimed at strengthening Greek Studies in the schools.

• Click here to read the complete and detailed version of our Mission Statement.

Program

1. Graduate Course - Requirements

• Participate in the GreeceOnline program - graduate credit available
• Actively participate in all webinars
• Regularly post to the discussion board and submit an evaluation at the conclusion of the program
• View all assigned videos
• Complete all required reading
• Study tour of Greece is encourage, but not required for graduate credit

As a part of The Examined Life graduate course, Greek Fellows read the Iliad and the Odyssey, Aesychlus’ Oresteia, Sophocles' Antigone, Eurpides’ Medea, Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra, Hesiod’s Theogony and selections from Herodotus, Thucydides, and Plato.

In March of 2019, a special meet and greet with guided tour of a selected portion of the classical collection of the Boston MFA will be held. An email invitation will be forthcoming.

Some video-taped lectures with internationally known scholars from Brandeis University, Wellesley College, Harvard University, Boston University and other institutions will be assigned for viewing. Additional educational videos are always available via the website.

We will meet online for 5-6 webinars. The first online webinar will feature a short introductory overview of periods in Greek history, starting with the Minoan; purpose to create a basic timeline to chronologically anchor sites found in the readings, in the lectures and on the Study Tour. In addition, the first lecture will give Fellows a chance to introduce yourself and get to know the other Fellows. Subsequent webinars will serve as a question and answer follow-up to videotaped lectures, another will feature an interview with the artist-in-residence. One webinar will allow past fellows a chance to share their curriculum projects with current fellows.

2. Study Tour of Greece

On a study tour of Greece, Fellows see the rugged landscape, precipitous mountains, amazing light, and the vivid blue skies. Starting at the ancient sun-bleached Acropolis, we will explore today's Greece and its ancient foundations. Step into the ring where Olympians first competed. Contemplate the oracle's insights from the grandeur of Delphi. We will visit the classical sites of Mycenae, the ancient theater at Epidauros, along with many other heritage sites and museums. All while enjoying the healthful Mediterranean cuisine of fresh vegetables, fish, feta cheese, olive oils, desserts with a Turkish influence and much more.

We make every attempt to explore as much of Greece as time allows. The itinerary changes each year, but each year the trip requires comfortable walking shoes as many days we might do a lot of walking over rough and uneven terrain. Also, you should know that many sites - the Acropolis, Delphi, and Mycenae have been sited either atop a substantial hill or into the side of a mountain so there is some uphill walking. Our wonderful guide is very conscious of working her dialogue into opportunities to catch your breath along the way. Between sites we might have extended time on the bus, and comfort stops are worked into the schedule.

3. Curriculum Development — Development of Study Guides

As a direct result of the Graduate Course and Study Tour, Greek Study Fellows write state-of-the-art curriculum. These Study Guides are designed for classroom use and may be published on the program website.

4. Leadership Corps — Dissemination and Outreach

As a direct outcome of course, study tour, curriculum development, Greek Study Fellows become members of a Leadership Corps charged with serving as leaders, presenters, and mentors in workshops and programs.

Highlights

Website: teachgreece.org

The website is a growing source of activities and information developed by Greek Study Fellows and program leaders for use by teachers and students in school communities across the nation. Its intention is to engage teachers and students in challenging interactive modules as they acquire knowledge and information about ancient and modern Greece. The website also contains information about The Examined Life program.

Workshops

Workshops are held in conjunction with Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, Harvard University’s Art Museums, and other institutions - in the workshops participants focus on athletics and art, among other topics, in an effort to capture the life and ideals of the ancient Greeks. View an example.

Annual Ithaka Presentations

Annual Ithaka presentations are held at Brandeis University - Greek Study Fellows present such carefully-honed curriculum projects as: Architectural Models Using Estimation, Proportion, Geometry; Ancient Greek History and Later Historical Periods; The Greek Labs: Effect of Acid Rain on Marble, and Other Exercises; Recreating Minoan Frescoes in Schools and Classrooms; "Sing in me, Muse": Homer’s Odyssey, a Book Group Model; Greek Theater as Social and Moral Commentary; the Trojan War, Images in Art; The Olympic Games in Antiquity: A Web Quest; Lessons in Contemporary School Leadership from the Greeks. View an example.

Collection Access

Access to a book and resource collection of newly published books about Greek history and culture for personal and classroom use.

Newsletter

Ithaka is an occasional newsletter contains program news, Greek news, and curriculum initiatives. Read the current issue.

Wide Range of Student Achievements

Student achievements include acquisition of knowledge, heightened cultural awareness, exemplary written work, Socratic discussions, drawings, frescoes, relief maps, and papier mache masks and amphoras. Representative achievements are available on the website.

Join Us! Become a Fellow Our membership currently includes 14 school districts, 50 schools, 180 teachers, impacting thousands of children. Join us and help strengthen Greek Studies in the schools: • Enhance Teaching • Inspire Students • Raise Test Scores • Heighten Cultural Awareness

As you set out on the voyage to Ithaka Pray that your journey be long, Filled with adventures, Filled with wisdom.                     —C.P. Cavafy