Department of Philology // University of Patras

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at Patras

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Patras Philology Department are divided into two specialisations, Byzantine Philology and Modern Greek Philology. Byzantine Philology is taught by a member of the Teaching and Research Staff (associate professor) and another member of the Teaching and Research Staff (lecturer) has been elected. Modern Greek Philology is taught by six members of the Teaching and Research Staff (one associate professor, three assistant professors and a lecturer). The research interests of the members of the Teaching and Research Staff working in the Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies section cover a diverse range of fields within Byzantine and Modern Greek Philology and their relationship with European literature and literary theory both at an undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Undergraduate students of Byzantine Philology will complete thirteen modules, five of them compulsory and eight chosen from a range of options, either modules of a general nature (e.g. "Introduction to Byzantine Philology", "Byzantine History and Art", etc.), or more specialised modules (e.g. "Byzantine Literature: M. Pselos and the Comnenian Era", "Byzantine Philology: Palaeologean Era", "Palaeography", etc.).

Modern Greek Philology involves the study of Modern Greek Literature since its beginnings and through to the post-war period. Emphasis is given to comparing Modern Greek literature with the literature of other European nations. The course involves eighteen compulsory modules and nine optional modules. Some of these are of a general nature (e.g. "History of Modern Greek Literature: From the beginning until 17th century", "Modern Greek Philology: 1669-1830", «Modern and Contemporary History", "Literary Theory", "History of Philosophy» etc.) while others are more specialised (e.g., "Solomos and the School of the Ionian Islands", "E. Roidis and his Time", "G. Seferis", "C.P. Cavafy", "Methodological and Research Issues in Modern Greek Literature", etc.). Many of these modules contain a comparative element (e.g. "Comparative Philology Ι: French and Greek Naturalism", "Comparative Philology ΙΙ: French and Greek Surrealism", "History of European Literature: 19th-20th century", etc.).

Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies modules cover the following subject areas:

  • History of Byzantine Philology
  • Byzantine Poetry
  • Byzantine Texts
  • Byzantine History and Art
  • Proto-Byzantine Historiography
  • Important periods/major writers of the Byzantine age
  • History of Modern Greek Literature
  • Modern Greek Prose
  • Modern Greek Poetry
  • History of European Literature
  • Theory of Literature
  • Currents and Movements in Modern Greek and European Literature
  • Scientific Research Methodology
  • Research Issues in Modern Greek Philology
  • Modern Greek and European History

Modern Greek Philology offers a full Postgraduate Studies Programme entitled "Modern Greek Philology: historical, theoretical and comparative approaches". The goal of this postgraduate programme is to boost research, promote interdisciplinary discussion and increase graduates' skills in order to optimise their professional performance. The course admits up to ten postgraduate students.