Byzantine Greek Summer School

Organizers: Cosimo Paravano and John Kee

The Department of Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Vienna is pleased to accept applications for a Byzantine Greek Summer School to be held in person in Vienna 13–24 July 2026, this year as officially recognized univie:summer school. The program will include three hours of intensive language instruction in two 90-minute sessions every morning, combined with thematic seminars, visits to relevant cultural institutions in Vienna, and professional development sessions in the afternoons.

The field of Byzantine literature is undergoing a time of exciting growth and change, with many fascinating texts—both well-known and recently (re-)discovered—being read in new ways. Our summer school will present a sample of this astonishing variety along with the tools scholars use to explore it. Vienna is a world-leading center for Byzantine Studies, and the program is designed to take advantage of the unique resources of its scholarly institutions.

Program

Morning language sessions will run in two groups (of ca. 10 students each) at the intermediate and advanced level in order to develop reading skills in a representative range of Late Antique and Medieval Greek texts and genres. Afternoon seminars will be led by recognized experts in a range of topics in Byzantine literature and culture from Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages. In addition, we plan to offer group advising sessions to demystify application processes and help young scholars navigate options for MA, PhD, and postdoctoral opportunities in an increasingly international academic world.

The program will run Monday to Friday for the two weeks covering 13–24 July 2026. Approximately 4 to 5 hours each day will be spent in class. Students are expected to spend the remainder of their time preparing for these sessions. Last year's schedule can be consulted here, student reviews here.

Morning sessions will be led by John Kee (Harvard University) and Cosimo Paravano (University of Vienna). Leaders of afternoon seminars and tours are tentatively confirmed to include:

Cristian-Nicolae Gaşpar (Central European University)

Krystina Kubina (University of Vienna)

Markéta Kulhánková (Czech Academy of Sciences)

Johannes Preiser-Kapeller (Austrian Academy of Sciences)

Claudia Rapp (University of Vienna/Austrian Academy of Sciences)

Alexander Riehle (Harvard University)

Giulia Rossetto (University of Vienna)

Nikos Zagklas (University of Vienna)

All seminars are scheduled to take place in person.

Timeline, scholarships, ECTS points

Applications are due by 22 March 2026, with applicants to be informed of the decision by 10 April. The course requires an enrollment fee of 250 €. Participants will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements.

We are delighted to be able to offer a limited number of scholarships covering travel and accommodation via reimbursement, as well as waiver of the enrollment fee. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of both merit and financial need. Students should indicate in their cover letter whether they wish to be considered for a scholarship, as well as whether they have access to funding from their home institution.

This year, the summer school is offered as an official univie:summer school. For the duration of the program, participants are registered as non-degree program students. Thus, they will enjoy insurance coverage, access to the university library system, and access to the e-learning platform Moodle. Participants who fulfil the attendance requirements will be awarded a Certificate of Attendance and a Transcript of Records, detailing your grade and the credits earned. We are pleased to be able to offer 5 ECTS points for successful completion of the course.

Target audience