By
Institute for European Studies
Please support the Modern Greek Program, which allows students to study the Greek language and culture. Your gift enriches classes and our community.
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The Modern Greek Program offers three years of Modern Greek language courses for both undergraduates and graduates as well as courses that focus on Greek culture and history. The program also organizes lectures, conferences, and film screenings for students, faculty, and the community. Last, it supports IU’s long and proud tradition of producing graduate research on contemporary Greece.
Of particular interest is Food Cultures of Greece, an interdisciplinary study-abroad course that explores the history and anthropology of the cuisines of Greek-speaking peoples from antiquity to the present. The course provides an immersive, three-week experience that takes them to Athens, the Peloponnese, and Santorini, exploring Greek foodways and including visits to an olive-oil producer, a beekeeper, an ouzo distiller, and restaurants that represent all aspects of the contemporary cuisine.
Led by Dr. Franklin L. Hess, the Modern Greek Program reflects his passion for the Greek language, culture, and foodways. His classes, which are popular with both Greek American students and students with no previous connection to Greek culture, provide students with an opportunity to reflect on the way that Greek culture and language have shaped the world in which they live.
As a Food Cultures of Greece alumnus and current Greek language student, Gavin Turner writes, “The FCG study-abroad program was amazing! I got the opportunity to study abroad in a way I don’t think has an equivalent. Frank’s extensive local knowledge and passion for Greece have instilled a passion for the culture and cuisine that I didn’t previously have. Academically I grew through my conversations with experts and best of all got to eat some of the best food of my life.”
We invite you to support the Modern Greek Program and help sustain the immersive, hands-on experiences that define Professor Hess’s teaching. With your generosity, students will continue to encounter Greek culture in ways that inspire lasting appreciation.