EC EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SUMMER PROGRAMS: The Security of Geography

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

The Security of Geography

Our recent hike through the Samira Gorge displayed the difficult of traversing mountainous terrain. This hike was fairly difficult despite being well maintained, a clear path being built and numerous bridges to cross gaps. It isn't difficult to imagine why the southern half of Crete has been able to rebel from occupiers based on their knowledge of their land. Without the luxuries of maintenance and a clear path, the Gorge would be incredibly difficult to cross and that doesn't even account for supplies to be brought along. Locations such as Samira Gorge highlight that geography is an integral field of study with politics and security in mind.

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EC Eastern Security Studies Program

In the summer of 2011, as the "Arab Spring" was unfolding and the "Eurozone Crisis" was entering its second year, the Emmanuel College Eastern Mediterranean Security Studies Program was established in Crete, as a way to make the location the classroom. Beyond the grand theoretical, historical and political understanding that can be achieved through reading and classroom discussion and exchange, a more immediate, intimate and truer appreciation of the complexities can only achieved by experiencing the cultures, languages of personal interaction.

Since 2012 students have been able to combine an intensive curricular study, with the experience of immersion and living in a local setting. The geopolitical and geoeconomic forces that have acted in the region for centuries, can be identified in the classroom, but they can only be understood by being there. This year's EC EMSS Program will add a fourth week of study, experience and exploration and will also travel to the islands of Rhodes, and Cyprus. In Rhodes we will be partnering with the Prefecture of Southern Aegean and the Aegean University, while in Cyprus we will be hosted by the University of Nicosia.