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Reasons for Studying Modern Greek

• Studying Modern Greek allows one to be more well-versed in the English language, because at least 30% of the English words have Greek roots. In scientific fields, such as medicine and biology, the percentage is even higher.

• Greece is the cradle of Western civilization, and has made substantial artistic, scientific, philosophical, political, ethical, and culinary (mediterranean diet) contributions. Studying and understanding Greek culture provides a solid foundation in comprehending the history and development of Western civilization.

• Greece is also the birthplace of the Olympic Games, a major international event that promotes goodwill, friendship, and collaboration among nations. Greece also stands at the geopolitical crossroads of East and West, Southern and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean, thus providing employment opportunities in multiple areas such as commerce, business, finance, etc.

• Greece's historical and political roots have relevance in present-day international affairs. Greece, has been, and continues to be a dynamic member of the European Union since 1981, and is the economic and political leader of the Balkans in southeastern Europe. Moreover, Greece's commercial fleet carries 30% of the world's sea-born trade, and 80% of China's sea-born trade.

• Greece, drawing on its ancient (classical) and Renaissance (Byzantine) traditions, continues to explore and influence the world with the values of logos (word/reason), cosmos (people), polis (city), episteme/paideia (science/education), techne (art), philia (friendship), phronesis (good sense), metron (balance), and mostly anthropos (man).

• Throughout the semester, students also take part in Greece's rich culinary tradition by sampling a wide variety of authentic Greek foods in class (including popular foods such as baklava, spanakopita, Greek coffee). This exposes them to an additional aspect of Greek culture and history.