Nicholas Grimal: A History of Ancient Egypt. Blackwell: 1994. (NG)

Claude Traunecker: The Gods of Egypt.Cornell University Press: 2001. (CT)

* The above books can be purchased at the University of Utah Bookstore.

Ewa Wasilewska: Pharaonic Egypt. Notes. 2005. (EW)

* Notes can be purchased during the first three class meetings from an instructor.

Karl-Theodor Zauzich: Hieroglyphs without Mystery. University of Texas Press: 1996. (KTZ)

* The above books can be purchased at the University of Utah Bookstore.
* Also on the Reserve in the Marriott Library.

Throughout the semester special focus will be placed on theoretical and methodological issues involved in interpretation of ancient Egyptian records. Students will concentrate on such problems as chronology of Egypt, interpretation of written records and main characteristics of archaeological artifacts, which facilitate process of proper identification of cultural groups and interpretation of behavioral patterns.

During the semester numerous references will be made to other cultures of the Middle East and outside of this region. 

This course will be richly illustrated with visual aids. 

The final grade will be based on three or four exams. Exams will consist of different sections (including essay questions) especially designed for the type of material that will be covered during class meetings.  In order to pass these exams it is necessary to attend lectures and to read the required material. Since the amount of information to which students will be exposed is enormous, three or four extra review sessions are planned after the last session before each exam, after the regular class period. The most important information, names, terms, definitions, etc., can be found in the notes prepared by the instructor in order to structure the learning process in the most effective way. At the end of the semester each student will be required to write a ca. 5 page essay on the topic that he or she found the most interesting with regard to the influence of ancient Egyptian civilization on modern cultures.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

In addition to the requirements listed above, graduate students are required to write a research paper of ca. 20 pages (plus bibliography). Each topic must be discussed with the instructor first and by the end of the semester each graduate student will be asked to present a brief summary of his or her research to the class.

Suggested movie (Marriott Library): Egypt: The Habit of Civilization
(LEGACY #4) - V-Cass CB 311 L43 1991 pt.4 / 1991;  57 min.  color

Readings: 

EW: H. # 1
WSS: Chapter 1. Pp. 1-6 
NG: Introduction. Pp. 1-13. Writing. Pp. 31-35.
WS: Retrieving Egypt's Distant Past. Pp. 55-84.
KTZ: Whole book.

Suggested movie: Egypt Uncovered - Part 4: Deities and Demons.
DT61 E336 1998 V.4; 50 min.

Readings for MEETINGS 2 & 3:

EW: H. # 2 & 3
NG: Chapter 2. Pp.40-48.
CT: Whole book.

Suggested movie: Egypt Uncovered - Part 5: Mummies: Into the Afterlife.
DT61 E336 1998 V.5; 50 min.
 

Suggested movie: Egypt Uncovered - Part 1: Chaos and Kings.
DT61 E336 1998 V.1; 50 min.

Readings for MEETING #4

EW: H. # 4
NG: Chapter 1. Pp.17-39. Chapter 3. Pp.49-59.
WSS: Part One. Pp. 8-24.

Suggested movie: Egypt Uncovered - Part 2:The Resurrection Machine.
DT61 E336 1998 V.2; 52 min.

Readings for MEETINGS #5, 6, 7

EW: H. # 5, 6, & 7 
NG: Chapter 4:  Pp. 63-101. Chapter 5: Pp. 102-136.
WSS: Part Two. Pp. 26-79.

REVIEW!!!
 

Readings:

EW: H. #8
NG: Chapter 6. Pp.137-154. Chapter 7. Pp.155-181.
WSS: Part Three. Pp. 80-125

Suggested movie: Egypt Uncovered - Part 3: Age of Gold.
DT61 E336 1998 V.3. 50 min.

Readings:

EW: H. #9
NG: Chapter 8. Pp. 182-195. Part III. Pp. 197-292.
WSS: Part Four. Pp. 126-225.

REVIEW!!!

Readings:

EW: H. #10
NG: Part III. Pp. 197-292.
WSS: Part Four - keep reading

E.W.: H. #11
NG: Part IV. Pp. 309-388.
WSS: Part Five. Pp. 226-251.

The last day to turn in essays (undergraduate and graduate students) and research papers (graduate students).