Modern Greek studies (Greek: Νεοελληνικές Σπουδές) refers to an academic discipline of the humanities whose object is the linguistic, literary, cultural as well as geographical and folkloristic exploration and teaching of Greek in the world (Greece, Cyprus and the Greek diaspora) in the Modern Age and present time.[1] A number of universities and research centers focus on Modern Greek studies.
In 1919 there was the establishment of the Koraes chair of Modern Greek and Byzantine History, Language, and Literature, at the University of London. At Oxford University there is the Bywater and Sotheby Chair of Byzantine and Modern Greek Language and Literature, now the Stavros Niarchos Foundation–Bywater and Sotheby Professor of Byzantine and Modern Greek Language and Literature. While at the University of Cambridge there is the position of 940), is Lecturer in Modern and Medieval Greek.[2]
During the 1960-1980s, the discipline of Modern Greek studies was dominated by the study of Modern Greek literature, that is poetry and prose. With important work being done on authors such as C. P. Cavafy, Nikos Kazantzakis, Giorgos Seferis, Odysseas Elytis, and Yannis Ritsos. After the 1980's additional methods were incorporated like critical theory and cultural studies.[3] In the last decades there has been a decline in western Universities offering Modern Greek studies.[4]