Summer recess: Classics school’s in

The Classics Summer School provides participants, typically members of the general public, high school teachers, professionals and secondary and tertiary students, an opportunity to learn about the society, myths, art, architecture, literature and philosophy of the ancient world.

Four courses were offered this January: Cities of the Greek and Roman World, Aristotle’s Human Flourishing Project, Love and Relationships in Ancient Greece and An Introduction to Classical Mythology.

Course Coordinator Dr Christopher Gribbin said courses like the Classics Summer School were important because they gave members of the public access to the knowledge and expertise of academics in a less formal and time-consuming way than regular classes.

“This opens learning up to a range of people who don't have the time or inclination to study through traditional classes, but who still want some intellectual stimulation and to learn something new and different,” Dr Gribbin said.

The most popular course this year was ‘Aristotle's Human Flourishing Project’, which looked at some of Aristotle's ideas from a practical perspective.

Dr Gribbin said people came out of that course with a new way of looking at their lives based on the teachings of an ancient Greek philosopher from 2500 years ago.

“When people can make a connection with the past like that, it's an exciting experience,” he said.

Students said the course was not only a good way to fill in a gap in their knowledge of the world, but also an enjoyable way to spend a week.

The next Classics Summer School is planned for January 2013.