AMHERST, N.Y. – Dr. Hamish Dalley, assistant professor of English at Daemen College, is one of a select group of faculty members nationwide chosen by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and Harvard University’s Center for Hellenic Studies to participate in a prestigious seminar in Greece.

The classics seminar, “Traveling With Pausanias Through Greece,” will be held in July at the Center for Hellenic Studies location in Nafplio, with visits planned at various historical locations in Greece, including Argos, Olympia, Delphi, and Athens.

Dalley is one of only 20 faculty members from across the U.S. selected for the highly competitive international program, which is being funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

“Strengthening teaching of the classics at colleges and universities is of critical importance, and this seminar addresses keeping classical texts as a vital part of undergraduate education,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “We believe that Dr. Dalley will contribute to the seminar in meaningful ways, and he will learn much that will energize his teaching of the classics at Daemen.”

Designed primarily for non-specialists, the seminar will include visits to many of the places Pausanias, a second century Greek traveler from Ionia, noted in his first-hand observations in “Description of Greece.” Participants will also read a selection of poetic, historical, and philosophical works related to each site.

  In addition, the seminar will provide participants with background in the development of Greek material culture, such as sacred, domestic, and civic architecture, sculpture, and other areas.

 “We congratulate Dr. Dalley on being among the distinguished faculty selected for this program, an honor that speaks to his exceptional scholarly talents,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, Daemen vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college.

CIC collaborates with the Center for Hellenic Studies to offer the seminar for faculty members who have been trained in other disciplines and seek opportunities to explore major classical texts and learn new ways to teach these texts to undergraduates.