The following is a brief description of the recently-established Greek-Studies program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. We would like to thank Konstantino Yfanti for bringing this to our attention. This is indeed a worthy cause and we encourage everyone to support their effort.
Established in 2008, the program in Modern Greek Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign continues an educational tradition started by Chicagoʼs Greek-American community, one of the largest and most prominent in the US. The mission of the program is to foster the study of Greek language, history and culture and to explore past and current perspectives on Hellenism. The program offers five courses in Modern Greek language and culture and an accelerated spring workshop in basic language skills.
As of Spring 2010, total enrollment in these classes has surpassed 80 students. Beyond these classes, the program sponsors lectures, conferences, film screenings that support research, scholarship and community outreach – creating opportunities for new collaborations and friendships as they bring together experts and students from multiple disciplines and diverse backgrounds.
With a generous contribution to the program, the Houston & Papadimitriou Greek Culture Award was established in 2009 to support undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who have a demonstrated interest in Greek culture, language or history and who are taking elective courses on these topics. Another noteworthy gift by Anne Farmakides of nearly 500 literary volumes formed the core of a specialized book collection in Modern Greek Studies. The program is housed in the School of Literatures, Cultures, & Linguistics of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
You can make a gift to the program and find out more about our activites by visiting our website:
http://www.moderngreek.illinois.edu
I think it’s great to see such outpouring from the community to bring these cultural and educational values to the students.
We are trying really hard at Illinois to continue the tradition of multicultural education started by the Greek-American community in Chicago. We’re very proud to have developed a program in Modern Greek Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Students of all backgrounds are learning the Modern Greek language and are getting to know the history and culture of the Hellenic world. Visit our website to find out more:
http://www.moderngreek.illinois.edu
As a long-time University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign faculty member whose heritage is Greek, I have seen many benefits that the new Modern Greek Studies program has brought to our campus in building new knowledge, enriching the academic landscape, and creating new friendships among students, faculty, staff, and community members.