Drama, Politics, and Religion in Ancient Greece
Athens, Greece
Faculty Leader
Babak Rahimibrahimi@ucsd.edu
Babak Rahimi is Associate Professor of Communication, Culture and Religion at the Department of Literature and the director of the Third World Studies at the University of California, San Diego. He earned his PhD from the European University Institute, Florence, Italy, in October 2004. Rahimi has also studied at the University of Nottingham, where he obtained an M.A. in Ancient and Medieval Philosophy (1997), and the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he was a Visiting Fellow at the Department of Anthropology, 2000-2001.
Rahimi’s research examines the relationship between culture, religion and politics. His book, Theater-State and Formation of the Early Modern Public Sphere in Iran: Studies on Safavid Muharram Rituals, 1590-1641 C.E. (Brill 2011), studies the relationship between ritual, public space and state power in early modern Iranian history. Rahimi has been an expert guest on various media programs like The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, BBC, and CNN, in addition to NPR and On the Media. Also, he has been a visiting scholar at the Internet Institute, University of Oxford, Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies, Freie Universität Berlin, and the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. His current research project is on the relationship between digital culture, politics and religion.
Courses
- MMW 14GS: Revolution, Industry, and Empire (draft PDF)
- RELI 161GS: Drama, Politics, and Religion in Ancient Greece (draft PDF) - Course number has changed from the previously proposed RELI 189GS.
Why you should go
From the temple of Parthenon dedicated to the goddess Athena to the seaside temple of Poseidon overlooking the Aegean, from the ruins of the ancient city of Epidaurus and its huge theatre to numerous museums, cafes, and culinary culture, Greece is a land of diverse experiences. As the first known democracy, or demokratia (“rule by the people”), Greece is also home to one of the most vibrant parliamentary politics and protest movements with a rich artistic and cultural history. The city of Athens, with its diverse blend of politics, religion, and theatre, offers a multitude of experiences waiting to be explored. Students interested in wide-ranging topics, especially art, culture, history, theatre, religion, and politics viewed in broader modern history, will find the Athens Global Seminar 2025 a truly educational and memorable experience.
Who should go
MMW 14GS and REL 189GS would be valuable for any student interested in art, history, literature, religion, theatre, and political science. It would be particularly useful for students in Eleanor Roosevelt College and fulfill their general education requirements. Consult your academic advisor to determine officially how the courses will apply to your graduation requirements.
Information Sessions
- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 5:00 - 6:30 pm
- Thursday, Jan. 23, 3:00 - 4:30 pm (in-person only at UC 214)
- Register here for the live Zoom link, and/or to get the post-session recording.
Dates
| Departure from U.S.: | Sun., June 29, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Arrival: | Mon., June 30, 2025 |
| Mandatory Orientation: | Tues., July 1, 2025 |
| First Day of Class: | Wed., July 2, 2025 |
| Last Day of Class: | Fri., August 1, 2025 |
| Departure for the U.S. (or personal travel): |
Sat., August 2, 2025 |
Flight Information
- You will be responsible for purchasing your own airplane tickets, and your program coordinator will provide guidelines and resources during the pre-departure process to help you find an appropriate flight.
- Do not purchase plane tickets until the program is confirmed. All approved applicants will be notified by e-mail when the program has reached minimum enrollment.
Global Seminar Fees
All fees subject to change. See https://summersession.ucsd.edu/tuition/tuition.html for current tuition and campus-based fees.
| UCSD | Other UC | Non-UC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Cost: (includes $500 administrative fee) |
$ 4,167.73 | $ 4,167.73 | $ 4,167.73 |
| Estimated Tuition and Campus-Based Fees: |
$2,514.43 | $2,564.43 | $3,574.43 |
| Total: (not including airfare or personal expenses) |
$6,682.16 | $6,732.16 | $7,742.16 |
Budget Sheet
Funding Options
See the funding options page to learn how financial aid and scholarships can help you pay for this program.
Local Site Visits
- Ancient Agora of Athens
- Acropolis site and museum
- Temple of Olympian Zeus
- Panathenaic Stadium
- Guided tour of the National Theater of Greece
- National Archaeological Museum
- Church of Panagia Kapnikarea
- Benaki Museum
Day Trips
- Delphi site and museum with lunch at Arachova
- Temple of Poseidon in Sounio
- Flying Dolphin from Port of Pieraeus to Hydra Island
Overnight Excursions
Nafplio:
- Ancient Corinth site and museum
- Palamidi Fortress
- Epidaurus site and museum
- Watch a play at Epidaurus Theatre
- Mycenae ancient site and museum
Excursions are subject to change without prior notice. No refunds are possible.
Housing
- Double or single room in an air conditioned apartment with one bathroom and full kitchen
- 3 to 6 students of the same gender per apartment
- Cooking equipment, towels, linens, and housekeeping service are provided.
- Each apartment will also have wireless internet.
- All apartments are located in the Pangrati area, a 3 to 10 minute walk from the Academic Center and close to grocery stores, cafes and restaurants, bakeries, dry-cleaning shops, banks, and other amenities, including a lively, weekly outdoor farmer's market offering fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, and flowers.
- Our program partner will accept roommate requests during the pre-departure process. Roommate requests cannot be guaranteed and must be mutual.
- Housing arrangements are subject to change based on local circumstances without prior notice. No price adjustments are possible.
Included Meals
- Welcome dinner upon arrival
- Farewell dinner at end of program
Classroom and Computer Access
- Classroom space at our overseas partner's facilities in Athens
- Library, reading room, computer lab, and a laundry facility at the Academic Center equipped with wireless Internet access
- Wireless internet access is available in all student rooms.
- Wireless access may be intermittent due to local conditions. No refunds or price adjustments are possible.
Transportation
- Public transportation pass for the entire stay in Athens is included.
- Transfer by private bus from Athens Airport to your apartments and return.
- One pick-up time and one drop-off time will be arranged for the airport transfers.
Phones
- Information about how to obtain a local SIM card will be provided at the pre-departure orientation.
- Students will be responsible to purchase their own calling time/minutes.
Insurance, Health, and Safety
- Comprehensive insurance package with CISI
- An in-depth orientation will be given on the morning after arrival, including health and safety procedures.
- Program partner staff will be available by telephone after hours.
- All students will be registered for UC travel insurance This is free coverage, but registration is required prior to departure.
