Course unit details:
Social Studies of Ancient Egypt
| Unit code | CAHE66111 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
Overview: This 15-credit module is a compulsory part of the part-time online masters in Egyptian Archaeology and will be taught during the first semester of the first year. The module aims to equip the students with a fundamental knowledge of ancient Egyptian history, society and culture. Through eleven lectures and eleven seminar discussions on the Canvas discussion boards the module will present a series of social and cultural aspects of Pharaonic civilisation. The module will focus on equipping the students to engage critically with primary data (archaeological, textual and iconographic) and highlight the specific range of biases and issues in the Egyptian source material.
Pre/co-requisites
| Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Skills and Research Design in Egyptian Archaeology Part 1 | CAHE66011 | Co-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
1. explore how the society and culture of ancient Egypt developed from the Predynastic Period (c. 3500 BCE) to the Roman Period.
2. introduce students to the relevant sources – textual, iconographic, archaeological – which are used to study Egyptian history and society.
3. teach the students to critically engage with primary source material in various forms.
4. develop the ability of students to express themselves in writing and producing cogent historical research.
5. provide the students a basic grounding in the main issues in the study of ancient Egyptian daily life, society and socio-economic environment.
Teaching and learning methods
One weekly lecture recorded by members of staff.
A weekly seminar topic provided on the Canvas discussion boards. These seminar topics are designed to stimulate debate between the students. A member of staff will monitor and guide the discussion.
Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the society and culture of ancient Egypt.
Demonstrate an understanding of the relevant source material, its strengths and limitations.
Intellectual skills
Display an ability to construct cogent academic arguments in a written form.
Show an ability to critically evaluate and analyse historical data.
Practical skills
Demonstrate knowledge of the structuring of academic arguments in a written format.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Display the ability to conduct research independently.
Demonstrate the ability to assimilate large amounts of data in various formats.
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Other | 10% |
| Written assignment (inc essay) | 90% |
Discussion board activities (10%) Essay - 2000 Words (90%)
Feedback methods
Essay - Summative
Discussion Board- Summative
Recommended reading
Bietak, M. 1996. Avaris, the Capital of the Hyksos: Recent Excavations at Tell el-Dab’a. British Museum Press: London.
Davies, W. V. (ed.) 1991. Egypt and Africa: Nubia from Prehistory to Islam. British Museum Press: London.
Dodson, A. and D. Hilton. 2004. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson: London
Grajetzki, W. 2006. The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society. Duckworth: London.
Hornung, E. 1999. History of Ancient Egypt: An Introduction. Cornell University Press: Ithaca.
Kemp, B. J. 1989. Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilisation. Routledge: London
Shaw, I (ed). 2003. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press: Oxford.
Trigger, B. G. 1983. Ancient Egypt: A Social History. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge.
Ucko, P. and T. Champion. 2016. The Wisdom of Egypt: Changing Visions through the Ages. Routledge: New York.
Van de Mieroop, M. 2011. A History of Ancient Egypt. Wiley-Blackwell: Malden.
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 150 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Katherine Slinger | Unit coordinator |