The Department of Mediterranean Studies (DMS) was founded in 1997 and began its operation in the academic year 1999-2000. It is part of the School of Humanities of the University of the Aegean, together with the Department of Primary Education and theDepartment of Pre-school Education and Educational Design. The School of Humanities is housed in two big renovated buildings next to the Medieval Town of Rhodes, which have classrooms, laboratories, libraries and instructors’ offices. More information about the University of Aegean and its Schools/Departments is available at the website: http://www.aegean.gr.
The mission of the DMS, as it is generally stated in the Presidential Decree 316 (Gazette Issue 223, 4/11/97) is “to develop and promote the knowledge about the language, ancient and modern history, ancient civilisation, economic and political structures of the Mediterranean countries, with particular emphasis on the south and south-eastern part of the Mediterranean area”.In the first two years of study (1st – 4th semester) the courses are common for all students of the DMS and are divided into compulsory and optional ones. The study, teaching and research of these issues, which was attempted for the first time in an academic department of Greece, have given a unique and innovative character to the DMS. In the beginning of the fifth semester of study all students are required to choose one of the following three scientific divisions:
Archaeology
Linguistics of the South-Eastern Mediterranean Area
International Relations and Organizations
That have been established by the Presidential Decree 360/2001 (Government Gazette Issue 244 vol. Α΄ 22.10.01).
