In the mid-20th century, the French historian Fernand Braudel globally opened up the studies on the Mediterranean. His work La Méditerranée et le monde méditerranéen à l’époque de Philippe II (1st ed., Paris 1949) has become far more than merely a good history book. Rather, it undeniably embodies the vast range of diverse approaches to the study of this "world". Fortunately, Braudel’s work by no means closes doors. Many scholars have picked up where he left off to embark on their own exploration of this sea that belongs to us all, and particularly to those of us who live on its coasts, on its islands; those of us who reap the benefits of its fruits and who suffer the consequences of its conflicts.

Despite our pride in belonging to the Mediterranean culture, we nevertheless find it difficult to define the Mediterranean with any sort of depth. Indeed, its parameters can be established from many different standpoints, ranging from purely anthropological perspectives to those based on the economy, from perspectives that take in the bulk of the region’s history, to others that focus on the keys to an understanding of a single nutritional pattern. Art, literature, marine biology, law, linguistics, botany and a long list of other disciplines all plot out its overall space, with their widespread analyses. However, all of these fields are entirely complementary, to such point that they provide a very valuable additional tool when studying this "world" from the diverse points of view mentioned above.

Though the notion of addressing the conceptual diversity of the Mediterranean is not new, we believe that these summer courses can contribute to the consolidation of an idea and sense of the Mediterranean space.

DATES: from 12 of July to 23 of July, 2010

SOCIAL PROGRAMME:
The UIB Summer School offers you not only a classroom experience but a set of social and cultural activities included in the programme (guided tour of the city of Palma, reception at Bellver Castle, afternoon trip to Mallorca’s north coast). You will have the chance to meet new people and learn about other cultures!