Sicily, a chain of Civilisations

One of the chain course themes is how cultural heritage never can be defined in isolation, but always is the result of interaction between various backgrounds. The basic theme is being worked out in several traveling courses: Tracing back Europe (Europe and the Middle East), Las Otras Orillas (Europe - Northern Africa / Europe - the New World) and Searching for Sampo, the north between east and west.
During the Sicily course the theme will be studied in the many and different cultural layers which can be distinguished in this centrally located Mediterranean island: Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Germans, Spanish, Italians. Sicilian history in fact covers all major periods and influences in European history and culture. This will lead to a fundamental discussion about: 'Civilisations: chains or clashes'.