INTRODUCTION The Athens program, initiated in 1986, is one of a number of Education Abroad Programs conducted by The Pennsylvania State University in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Latin America, and East Asia. More than 600 students from a wide variety of majors participate annually in these programs. OBJECTIVES The Penn State Education Abroad Program in Athens functions within the context of the objectives characterizing all of Penn State's study abroad opportunities, especially to: - enable students to receive instruction in several disciplines within the context of another culture and to enrich their general academic studies; - provide adequate professional training when a study abroad experience is especially desirable, and to add to the intellectual and professional development of students in specialized fields of study; - allow students to expand their knowledge of the culture of a country or region of the world by living and studying abroad, as well as gain a more objective perspective of the values and way of life in their own country; - promote the educational goals of the University by providing an overseas program designed to increase the international understanding of students. Specifically, the Athens program aims to: - increase students' understanding of classical and contemporary Greek culture through a study of the origins of the Western cultural tradition; - provide on-site exposure to Greek history, geography, architecture, and art by touring numerous important archaeological sites from northern Greece to Crete; - strengthen the intellectual quality of related undergraduate fields by providing students with a concrete grounding in an ancient culture. ATHENS Athens, capital of Greece, on the plain of Attica, is the cultural, religious, and industrial center of the country. To many, it is much more: the fountainhead of Western civilization. Sought out by scholars and tourists alike, its buildings and archaeological treasures call forth memories of a long, illustrious history and of the masters of art and architecture, philosophy, and drama who once walked its streets. ATHENS CENTRE Located near the Acropolis and the major archaeological sites of the city, the Athens Centre is headquarters for the Penn State Athens program. A Greek non-profit organization sponsoring academic and cultural activities in Greece, the Athens Centre for Creative Arts was founded in 1969. It schedules programs for Athens residents throughout the year in the fields of Greek Studies, fine arts and performing arts, and since 1977, has been concentrating on developing courses in modern Greek language for foreigners living and working in Athens. In addition to its overseas program with Penn State, the Centre cooperates with several other U.S. colleges and universities. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Penn State Education Abroad Program in Athens is a 15-week, interdisciplinary Spring semester program for undergraduate and graduate students, with cooperative instruction by Penn State faculty drawn on a rotating basis from the departments of Art History, Classics, History, Philosophy, Exercise and Sport Science, and Speech Communication. Arrangements and accommodations in Athens are coordinated by the Athens Centre; the Centre's classroom facilities, library, and audio-visual materials are available to Penn State students. Students enroll for a minimum of 15 credits during the Spring semester in specially designed courses. Although the program format varies somewhat from year to year, generally 6-9 credits are taught by regular Penn State faculty, including a 6-credit "core course" in the historical monuments of Greece. Three-credit courses in modern Greek language and in Byzantine and modern Greek history are offered by the Athens Centre staff. Other courses related to faculty expertise will be offered as the six departments rotate the teaching responsibilities on a year-to-year basis. In any given year, there will be courses offered by only one to two of the six departments. Students receive credits under the foreign study course numbers in the respective departments. Completion of this program ensures completion of a MINOR in classics. Course work combines classroom instruction with visits to many of the major archaeological sites in Greece, such as Crete, Aegina, Olympia, Delphi, Sounion, Corinth, Mycenae, and Epidauros. The specific sites will vary from year to year. The overall program is designed to give students insight into aspects of Greek culture and civilization from ancient times to the present. The courses are especially designed to meet the accreditation requirements of Penn State's academic departments and are taught in special classes offered exclusively for Penn State students. GRADING As with any course at Penn State, responsibility for assessing the student's academic achievement lies with the course instructors. ACCREDITATION All courses offered in the Penn State Education Abroad Program in Athens are accredited under regular course numbers as listed in the Penn State Baccalaureate Degree Programs Bulletin. No transfer of credit is necessary since the student remains registered at Penn State while enrolled in the Athens program. LIVING ARRANGEMENTS Students are housed in centrally located apartments. Students are responsible for their own meals on site. On field trips, students are housed in hotels near the sites. ELIGIBILITY The Athens program is open to all regularly enrolled Penn State students although the academic focus makes it especially appealing to students with demonstrated interest in classical civilization. Applicants must be in good academic standing, show evidence of maturity, stability, adaptability, self-discipline, and strong academic motivation. Generally speaking, a 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average is the minimum academic standard for most programs. Participants are typically juniors, seniors, or graduate students during their semester abroad. PROGRAM PREREQUISITES Students must complete either HIST 100 (Ancient Greece) or CLASS 25 (Greek Civilization) before departure. ORIENTATION A specially-designed orientation program, conducted the semester before departure, is intended to prepare participants for the adjustment to living and studying in Greece. In addition, the Athens Centre conducts its own orientation when students arrive in Athens, including an extensive tour of the city itself. Attendance at all orientation sessions is mandatory. COSTS Tuition for the Athens program is the same as regular Penn State tuition. Accommodation fees are an additional cost that will be included in the Penn State charge to the student. Students must recognize that housing in Athens is more expensive than a room for a semester at University Park Campus. Students are also required to pay a $150 nonrefundable program fee at the time of accepting an enrollment offer. Round-trip air transportation and meals are additional costs to the student. There is no meal plan so students should be prepared to purchase their own meals on site. Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Textbooks and personal expenses are also extra. The Office of Education Abroad Programs has a cost-estimate-sheet detailing the overall expenses for each semester. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE The standard forms of financial assistance are available through the Office of Student Aid. Since students remain registered at Penn State , financial aid packages continue during the time students are enrolled in this program. The Office of Education Abroad Programs coordinates closely with the Office of Student Aid to help needy students obtain funds to cover the additional costs incurred by study abroad. The Office of Education Abroad Programs also has a modest grant-in-aid fund that can be drawn upon for exceptionally needy and qualified students. HEALTH INSURANCE All participants are expected to carry sufficient health and accident insurance. Personal liability insurance is strongly recommended. PLANNING AHEAD To exploit the many advantages and opportunities of a study abroad experience, it is essential that students, in consultation with their academic advisers, plan well in advance. With careful planning, every Penn State student, regardless of major, not only gains regular Penn State credit, but can often apply the credits earned abroad to General Education, elective, language, and/or major and minor requirements. Like all Penn State's semester and academic-year Education Abroad Programs, this program satisfies the University's cultural diversity requirement. As part of the application process, students are required to check with their advisers or deans to discuss what impact study abroad may have on their progress toward graduation. For further information and application forms, contact your campus Education Abroad adviser or: Office of Education Abroad Programs The Pennsylvania State University 222 Boucke Building University Park, PA 16802-5900 Tel. (814) 865-7681 This publication is available in alternative media on request. The Pennsylvania State university is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability,or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175. The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Employee Benefits Division at (814) 865-1473 in advance of your participation or visit. U.Ed. OIP 96-38 PS6054dh 4/96