Description of the Training Content:

Preparation:

The Knights of St. John had made the Island of Malta their headquarters in 1530 until Napoleon's landing in 1798. This series of lectures strive to illustrate the rise, grandeur and decline of this prestigious Order through their legacy spread all over the Island. A reminder of this can be read on the tomb of Grand Master de Vilhena: "Remember, traveler, that wherever you go in this Island, you will discover monuments of his piety, his munificence, his constancy and his charity". Participants should prepare for the course by doing some reading or internet research on the history of the Religious Military Orders. Prior to participant’s arrival we will provide participants with the programme, a list of suggested reading material and research sites.

Objectives:

Participants will come out of the course with a deeper knowledge and understanding of this prestigious Order and their present day charitable activities. The course also aims at motivating teachers of making good use of both published and visual aids to make their teaching more interesting and effective as well as improve their command of spoken English.

Methodology:

The course will consist of a series of lectures with site-visits to complement the topics of the day. Highly qualified lecturers ensure a simple approach of the highest levels of learning. Handouts / Notes will be given to participants prior to site-visits. There will be ample time for discussion on the topics both in the lecture room and on site. At the end of the course there will be a full discussion and an evaluation session so that participants can report their opinion on the quality of the training. This will be followed by the presentation of certificates to the participants.

Follow-up:

The Organizers will keep close contact with all the participants either via email or communication in order to be able to answer queries about particular issues raised in course. We will also be available to help course participants in drawing up further courses/modules about the Military Religious Orders.

Day by Day programme:

Day 1: Introductory Meeting; Registration of Participants; Welcome drink and Dinner.

Day 2: Lecture 1: Introduction to the Military Religious Orders; Coffee Break; Lecture 2: The Order in the Holy Land and Rhodes; Lunch; Site Visit: Birgu – Citta Vittoriosa; Discussion; Dinner.

Day 3: Lecture 3: Solyman the Magnificent's Invasion of Malta; Coffee Break; Lecture 4: The Great Siege; Lunch; Site Visit: Valletta – Citta Umilissima; Discussion; Dinner.

Day 4: Lecture 5: Medicinal practices during the Knights rule; Coffee Break; Lecture 6: The Knights School of Anatomy and Surgery; Lunch; Site Visits: The Hospital of the Order; Discussion; Dinner.

Day 5: Lecture 7: Mdina’s role during the Great Siege; Lunch; Site Visit: Mdina, Verdala Castle and Buskett; Discussion; Dinner.

Day 6: Ferry to Gozo: Lecture 8: The Order today in International Law; Lunch; Site Visits: The Citadel, St. George’s Golden Basilica; Discussion and Evaluation Session; Farewell Dinner; Presentation of Certificates.

Day 7: Departure