CLA 3160 Ancient Egypt

General Information

Course Number: 10817. Credits: 03. Room: Pugh 170. Times: MWF 7. CLA 3160 is a course offered in the Department of Classics at the University of Florida. Department contact: Samantha Jones (samantha.jones@ufl.edu).

Instructors:

Course Description

An overview of ancient Egyptian civilization through lectures on Egyptian history, society, and material culture. Topics include a six-session introduction to Egyptian hieroglyphs. No former experience is required to attend.

General Education Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Primary General Education Designation: H (link to area objectives). Secondary General Education Designation: N (link to area objectives). Note: A minimum grade of C is required for general education.

  • Objectives. Content: Students will become conversant with the main aspects of the ancient Egyptian civilization and the scholarly methodologies commonly used in Egyptological research. They will also be introduced to the rudiments of the hieroglyphic writing system and will learn how to read and write basic sentences in ancient Egyptian. Assessments: end of module quizzes and discussion boards. (H, N). ▷ Communication: Students will be able to write clearly and effectively about ancient Egyptian civilization and its relevance in the general context of world history. They will also be able to work with visual materials in order to design Powerpoint presentations on selected topics of Egyptian civilization. Assessments: end of module discussion boards; end of class Powerpoint presentation. (H). ▷ Critical Thinking: Students will acquire an understanding of the complexities inherent to the the study of past societies and how this knowledge can be used to put current events in perspective. Assessment: end of module discussion boards. (H, N).
  • Learning Outcomes. In CLA 3160 students will ▷ become acquainted with the main aspects of ancient Egyptian geography, history, language, and material culture. (H) ▷ acquire an understanding of Egyptian civilization in the wider context of ancient Mediterranean history (H, N) ▷ learn how Egyptologists interpret the extant documentary and archaeological evidence on ancient Egypt and the limitations associated with scholarly interpretation. (H) Students who complete CLA 3160 will be able to ▷ identify the main personalities, events, places, and monuments of ancient Egypt, and discuss their relevance to the development of Egyptian civilization. (H) ▷ construct a clearly articulated argument on an ancient Egyptian topic using primary and secondary sources (H) ▷ understand the reception of Egypt in our culture and the biases implicit in past and current perceptions of the ‘Orient’. (N)

Reading Materials and Study Aids

Textbooks:

  • David, Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt (Revised edition: Oxford 1998). Available online from Internet Archive.
  • T. Zauzich, Hieroglyphs Without Mystery (English Translation: Austin 1992. Also published in the UK as: Discovering Egyptian Hieroglyphs). Available online from UF Library West.
  • M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature (Berkeley 2019). Available online from UF Library West.

Practice Materials:

The following study aids are accessible from the QUIZZES tab in Canvas

  • Practice Quiz 1.  Practice Quiz 2. Practice Quiz 3. Practice Quiz 4. Practice Quiz 5. Practice Quiz 6.
  • Key to practice Quiz 1. Key to practice Quiz 2. Key to practice Quiz 3. Key to practice quiz 4. Key to Practice Quiz 5. Key to Practice Quiz 6.
  • Hieroglyph vocabulary list

Graded Work

  • Eight end-of-module quizzes (20% of final grade). Format: 20 questions (10 MC, 10 TF). Points per question: 5. Total points per quiz: 100
  • Seven end-of-module discussion posts (30% of final grade). Format: 250 words, single spaced. Points: see Rubric.
  • One end-of-course Powerpoint presentation (10% of final grade): Format: 8 slides, featuring images, maps, and text as needed. Points: see Rubric.
  • Midterm Examination (15% of final grade) Format: 50 questions (25 MC, 25 T/F). Points per question: 2.
  • Final Examination (25% of final grade). Format: 100 questions (50 MC, 50 T/F). Points per question: 1. Total points per exam: 100.

Exams are cumulative (midterm examination: modules 1-3; final examination: modules 1-7.) Grading scale: UF scale . For additional information on current UF policies for assigning grade points see  UF Grades and Grading Policies).

Reading Assignments

  • Module 1 Sources and Methods: David chapter 1: pp.1-52. Due: Sep. 1 by 11:59 pm.
  • Module 2 The Land of Ancient Egypt: David chapter 3: pp.111-132. Due: Sep. 15 by 11:59 pm.
  • Module 3 Elements of Ancient Egyptian History: David chapter 2: pp. 57–109. Due: Sep. 27 by 11:59 pm.
  • Module 4 Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture: David chapter 7: pp.209-232. Due: Oct. 16 by 11:59 pm.
  • Module 5 Ancient Egyptian Religion: David chapter 5: pp.149-183. Due: Oct. 27 by 11:59 pm.
  • Module 6 Ancient Egyptian Funerary Practices: David chapter 6: pp.185-207. Due: Nov. 6 by 11:59 pm.
  • Module 7: Ancient Egyptian Literature: David chapter 8: pp.253-263. Lichtheim volume 1 pp.184-192; volume 2: 190-193 Due: Dec. 1 by 11:59 pm.
  • Egyptian Writing and Language: Zauzich pp.1-34. David chapter 8: pp.235-253. Due: Nov. 13 by 11:59 pm.

Students can go through the readings for each module at their own pace, as long as readings are completed by the assigned deadlines

Class Schedule

 
1 AUG 23 Orientation: Welcome to CLA 3160.
2 AUG 25 Module I: Sources and Methods 1. Discussion Board 1 opens at 2:45 pm.
3 AUG 28 Module I: Sources and Methods 2.
4 AUG 30 Class Cancelled
5 SEP 01 Module I: Sources and Methods 3. Readings for Module I due by 11.59 pm.
6 SEP 06 Module I: Egyptian Writing and Language 1. Quiz 1 (takehome) due by 11:59 pm.
7 SEP 08 Discussion Board 1 closes at 1:55 pm. Module II: The Land of Egypt 1. Discussion Board 2 opens at 2:45 pm.
8 SEP 11 Module II: The Land of Egypt 2.
9 SEP 13 Module II: The Land of Egypt 3.
10 SEP 15 Module II: Egyptian Writing and Language 2. Readings for Module II due by 11.59 pm.
11 SEP 18 Module II: Quiz 2 due by 2:45 pm. Discussion Board 2 closes at 2:45 pm.
12 SEP 20 Module III: Elements of Egyptian History 1. Discussion Board 3 opens at 2:45 pm.
13 SEP 22 Module III: Elements of Egyptian History 2.
14 SEP 25 Module III: Elements of Egyptian History 3.
15 SEP 27 Module III: Egyptian Writing and Language 3. Readings for Module III due by 11.59 pm.
16 SEP 29 Quiz 3 (takehome) due by 11:59 pm. Discussion Board 3 closes at 2:45 pm.
17 OCT 02 Review modules I-III.
18 OCT 04 Midterm Examination (1:55pm-2:45pm Pugh 170). To be rescheduled.
19 OCT 09 Module IV: Egyptian Art and Architecture 1. Discussion Board 4 opens at 2:45 pm. Midterm Examination opens at 2:45pm.
20 OCT 11 Module IV: Egyptian Art and Architecture 2. Midterm Examination closes at 1:55pm.
21 OCT 13 Asynchronous class. see links to recorded lectures videos below (Egyptian Art and Architecture + Egyptian Writing and Language). Readings for Module IV due by 11.59 pm.
22 OCT 16
23 OCT 18 Module IV: Egyptian Writing and Language 5. Quiz 4 (takehome) due by 11:59 pm. Discussion Board 4 closes at 2:45 pm.
24 OCT 20 Module V: Egyptian Religion 1. Discussion Board 5 opens at 2:45 pm.
25 OCT 22 Module V: Egyptian Religion 2.
26 OCT 25 Module V: Egyptian Religion 3.
27 OCT 27 Module V: Egyptian Writing and Language 6. Readings for Module V due by 11.59 pm.
28 OCT 30 Module V: Quiz 5 due by 2:45 pm. Discussion Board 5 closes at 2:45 pm.
29 NOV 01 Module VI: Egyptian Funerary Practices 1. Discussion Board 6 opens at 2:45 pm.
30 NOV 03 Module VI: Egyptian Funerary Practices 2.
31 NOV 06 Module VI: Egyptian Funerary Practices 3.
32 NOV 08 Module VI: Quiz 6 due by 2:45 pm. Discussion Board 6 closes at 2:45 pm.
33 NOV 13 Review sessions 5, 10, 15, 22, 27. Readings for Egyptian Writing and Language due by 11.59 pm.
34 NOV 15 Egyptian Writing and Language Quiz (= Quiz 7)
35 NOV 17 Flex Day
36 NOV 20 Flex Day
37 NOV 27 Module VII: Egyptian Literature 1. Discussion Board 6 opens at 2:45 pm.
38 NOV 29 Module VII: Egyptian Literature 2.
39 DEC 01 Module VII: Egyptian Literature 3.
40 DEC 04 Module VII: Quiz 8 due by 2:45 pm. Discussion Board 7 closes at 2:45 pm.
41 DEC 06 Review modules I-VII. Powerpoint Presentations due by 11:59 pm
42 DEC 14 Final Examination (10:00 am-12:00 pm Pugh 170).

Attendance and General Course Policy

  • Attendance. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies that can be found in the online Undergraduate Catalog.
  • Class Etiquette. Students are strongly discouraged from leaving the class in the middle of a lecture. Those who need to do so must obtain the instructor’s permission at the beginning of class.
  • Makeup Examinations. Makeup exams are given only in extraordinary circumstances. Students who are unable to take exams at the appointed dates should notify the instructor’s assistants in advance.
  • Questions. All questions on administrative matters (grading, etc.) can be addressed to the instructor’s assistant(s); for questions pertaining to the content of the lectures, students should consult directly with the instructor
  • Honor Code. Students in CLA 3160 are expected to comply with the Academic Honor Code of the University of Florida.
  • Disclaimer on Sexual and Religious Content. As ancient attitudes towards sexuality and religion differ considerably from ours, some of the material examined in this course may result offensive to modern sensibility. Students who have a problem in dealing with such topics should consult with the instructor.

Accomodations

Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation. For information about services available to students with special needs, contact the Disability Resource Center.

Course Evaluations

Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course based on 10 criteria. These evaluations are conducted online at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results.”