Cyprus - Investigating an Ancient Urban Landscape in Cyprus

AMNE 395/ AMNE 595 | 3 credits

About the Program

This course is led by Kevin Fisher, Faculty of Arts

  • Dates: June 1, 2023 – July 2, 2023
  • Travel dates: TBA
  • Format: In person 
  • Locations visited: Cyprus
  • Approximate program fees: $3500.00 - $4000.00
  • Funding: All qualifying students will receive a $1,000 Go Global Award. We encourage students with financial need or other barriers to going abroad to apply for the Global Pathfinder Award. See Program Fees and Costs for more details.
About the Course                                                                                                               

The primary objective of the course is to train students in the principles and methods of field archaeology as practiced in the Mediterranean and Near East today so that they can work as skilled team members or supervisors on other archaeological projects. Students will also gain an understanding of Cypriot material culture and how it is used to illuminate the rise and development of complex societies, as well as an appreciation of the island's modern culture and history. These objectives will be met mainly through intensive, “hands on” student participation in all aspects of archaeological fieldwork as part of the Kalavasos and Maroni Built Environments (KAMBE) Project. This work will include data collection and recording through archaeological excavation and geophysical survey, the processing and analysis of these data, and their interpretation as a means of understanding past human behaviour. In addition to participating in fieldwork, students will also attend a series of lectures on archaeological methods and Cypriot archaeology by project staff and other visiting scholars. Students will also visit important archaeological and cultural sites and museums throughout the island. In late June, students will attend the annual Cyprus American Archaeological Research Institute (CAARI) workshop in Nicosia, during which archaeologists working the island present the results of their work. In addition to learning about the Cypriot past, this is an excellent opportunity for students to network and meet other students from around the world. 

Experience in the Field

Generally, students will work on the project at least five full days (6:30am – 6:00pm) with breaks, lunch, and late afternoon siesta per week, while another day will be spent on field trips or as a short work day, with the next day off. Much of this time will be spent working on the excavation. Each day, a few students will rotate onto the geophysical survey crew and learn how to lay out a survey grid and run one of the geophysical instruments, while others will assist with the 3D recording or with the collection of geoarchaeological samples as needed.

The archaeological excavation will take place in a hot and dry climate. The physical demands and intensity of the work will be high.

Eligibility Requirements
General Global Seminar requirements

To participate in a Global Seminar, students must: 

  • Be in good-standing in their faculty (I.e. not be under academic or non-academic discipline) 
  • Have full-time status in the year leading up to the Global Seminar 
  • Have completed 2nd year requirements before the start of the program (i.e. 3rd or 4th year standing) 
  • Have at least a 70% academic average in your last full-time academic session before applying 
  • Maintain a 70% academic average leading up to the program 
  • Meet any program specific requirements listed below including pre-requisites before participating 

Final selection will be done by the lead faculty program directors. Spots in the program may be limited. 

Students who wish to participate in the summer after graduating may be eligible on a case-by-case basis.

Program-specific requirements
  • Students in Classical, Near Eastern & Religious Studies (now AMNE), Anthropology, Art History, or History can apply. 
Program Fees and Costs
Approximate program fees: $3500.00 - $4000.00*

*The final fee depends on the number of students in the program. Students do not pay the Go Global fee when applying to a Global Seminar. The Go Global fee is built into the Program Fee and is payable upon acceptance to the program.  

Included:  
  • Accommodation  
  • Program- related travel in-country; (e.g. buses)  
  • Excursions and entrance fees  
  • Some group meals  
  • On-site guest lectures
Not Included:  
  • Flights*  
  • UBC tuition for credits  
  • Visa/country entrance fees  
  • Health or travel insurance  
  • Personal spending money*  

*Some examples of incidentals are: personal mobile communication, personal transportation that is not related to the learning outcomes of the program, additional meals that are not already identified as part of the Program Fee, immunizations, Visas, etc.  

Travel to Cyprus is a separate cost.  You are responsible for arranging your own travel. You should not book your flight until you are notified to book.            

We encourage students with financial need or other barriers to going abroad to apply for the Global Pathfinder Award by November 4. Successful candidates will receive a $2000 award towards a Global Seminar program, and will be notified before the program application is due on December 13. See the Go Global Awards page for more information on the application process.

Accommodation

Students will stay in shared accommodations in apartments in the village of Kalavasos (about a 5- minute drive from the site). These are traditional village courtyard houses that have been renovated and updated with modern conveniences. Each has a kitchen and full bathroom with shower and will house 4 or 5 students.

Application Deadline 

Tuesday December 13, 2022 (11:59pm PST)

How to Apply 

Students apply through the Go Global Gateway.

Go to “search experiences” from the top menu, search “GSP,” then press “apply search.” Scroll down to the program you wish to apply to and select Apply for “Summer” to initiate an application. Please provide us with the contact information of two references, with at least one of them being an academic reference.

Applications will open in early October. After the deadline, students’ applications will be reviewed by Go Global and the faculty program directors. You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the selection process.

Global Seminars Refund Policy

To withdraw from your program, you must contact Go Global by email to request a withdrawal.  You will not be charged until you officially accept your spot in the program.  Refunds cannot be issued after the program fee is charged to your SSC account. 

In the case of withdrawal, Go Global Award funding must be returned in full.

If you have questions, please connect with your Go Global advisor or email Go Global at go.global@ubc.ca.

Student Safety Abroad and Pre-Departure Policy

UBC is committed to preparing students for safe and successful international experiences. In order to achieve this, any student participating in a Go Global Program must complete the following:

Failure to successfully complete these and any other requirements may result in withdrawal from the Go Global Program.

We encourage you to read the Global Affairs Canada travel report for your destination country before applying: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories.

Global Seminars and COVID-19

Students and faculty are required to comply with the entry requirements of the host country, regulations of transportation carriers, and any local public health orders in the destination. These rules may require COVID-19 vaccination for entry or to participate in certain program activities, testing requirements, masking requirements, and/or isolation in case of infection. Alternatively, where isolation due to infection is not required by local health authorities and students are sharing accommodations isolation may be a challenge. We encourage you to review local requirements before applying and before departure. Check out the Global Affairs Canada Advisory (https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories) under Entry Requirements for your Global Seminar destination to learn more.  Keep in mind that program conditions can vary and these rules can change before or during your trip.

Once it becomes closer to the departure date, the group will be informed of all updated local requirements and COVID-19 safety plans for the Global Seminar.

Accessibility

If you are considering applying for a Go Global program and identify with having a disability or pre-existing health condition (mental or physical) which could impact your participation, or if you require academic accommodations, you can contact the following offices and meet with an Accessibility Advisor before the start of the program:

Contact Go Global
In-person and Virtual Drop-in advising hours
  • Tuesday: 1:00 - 3:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Go Global offers both in-person and virtual drop-in advising through Zoom during the times listed above.

Please use Go Global's new Ask Us Webform and we will respond to your inquiry.