Religion of the Pharaohs Schedule

Spring 2016

 

 

 

 

Page last updated 4/28/2016 12:10 pm

 

 

 

Students please note:

 

 

This schedule is subject to change at the Professor's discretion. It is the responsibility of each student to keep up with schedule changes, even if absent.

 

Assignments should be completed in time for class on the day on which they are listed on the syllabus. 

 

Students should bring to class any texts assigned for the day or detailed notes.


Schedule, Spring 2016
Week 1: January 18-22
T Welcome & Introduction to the Course
In class:
  • Introductions
  • mini-lecture on Egyptian society
 
Th Who Were the Ancient Egyptians?
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Egyptian social world
  • Egyptian grammar
  • Pick dates for the discussion facilitations --UPDATE: may move to next week
Week 2: January 25-29
T The Social World of Ancient Egypt
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Canvas: Selections from Middle Egyptian Grammar
  • Canvas: Articles on "Ethnic Diversity" and "Social Institutions from Civilizations of the Ancient Near East"
  • Visit the Metropolitan Museum's site "The Art of Ancient Egypt" & click on "The People of Ancient Egypt"

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on Egyptian deities and myths
 
Th Rituals, Myths, and Deities
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Teeter, Chapter 5
  • Canvas: Heliopolitan Cosmology
  • Canvas: Memphite Theology on the Shabaka Stone Updated
  • Visit the Shabaka Stone at the British Museum (click on More Views) Updated
  • Simpson, pp. 91-103, 289-298
    • Contendings of Horus and Seth
    • The Book of the Heavenly Cow

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Small groups will act out the myths we read
  • Mini lecture on pre-dynastic Egypt and the Old Kingdom
Week 3: February 1-5
T Old Kingdom Religion and History
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read UPDATED:

  • Mieroop, 27-41, 52-55, 62-71, 73-74 [refer back to the timeline on p. 55 to reinforce names and chronology]
  • Canvas: Memphite Theology on the Shabaka Stone
  • Explore the Introduction and the sections on "Royalty," "Officials and their Families," "Artisans and Occupations," and "Objects from Daily Life" on the Metropolitan Museum's exhibit Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramid
  • RECOMMENDED but not required: Simpson, 129-148
    • Maxims of Ptahhotep
    • BRING the Simpson book to class no matter what

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on OK funerary practices
 
Th Old Kingdom Funerary Practices
Before class:

Study Guide

Read:

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Pyramids
Week 4: February 8-12
T Pyramids--UPDATED
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on pyramids
  • Begin setting up websites and blogs (BRING LAPTOP OR TABLET)
 
Th The Sphinx, End of the OK, 1 IP--UPDATED
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Canvas: selection TBA on the Sphinx
  • Visit the Giza Plateau (Click on the photograph of the pyramids to launch the interactive website) and check out the Giza plateau, Giza overview, and Sphinx
  • Mieroop, 78-88 (chapter 4-4.2), 93-94 (chapter 4.4)
  • Simpson, 13-22

Optional: PBS Nova video about the Great Sphinx

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the sphinx
  • Mini lecture on the First Intermediate Period and Middle Kingdom
F Blog setup due

Domain registered (20 points)

Wordpress or other blog app installation (20 points)

Theme installation/customization (100 points), should include at minimum:

  • Website title
  • image if you want one
  • revision/deletion of "hello world" post
  • revision of "about" page
  • NB: this is YOUR website/ you do not need to give it a title that is just about this course. Pick a domain name and title that will last beyond this course.
Week 5: February 15-19
T Middle Kingdom History and Religion--UPDATED
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Middle Kingdom history and funerary practices
 
Th Middle Kingdom Funerary Practices --UPDATED
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Teeter, 132-147
  • Mieroop, 120-124
  • Simpson, 178-187, 263-266, 339-344, 425-427
    • The Man Who Was Weary of Life
    • Coffin Texts
    • The Neferhotep Stela
    • The Stela of Iykhernofret (Abydos)
    • Handout of two harpers' songs

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Middle Kingdom funerary practices
  • Mini lecture on Middle Kingdom religion in literature
 
F Blog post #1 Deadline A noon

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments by deadline B. Revisions for regrading due on deadline C

Week 6: February 22-26
M Blog post #1 Deadline B 5 pm

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments.

 

T MK Literature
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Simpson, 25-66, 431-37
    • Eloquent Peasant
    • Shipwrecked Sailor
    • Sinuhe
    • Satire on the Trades

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Second Intermediate Period and New Kingdom
 
Th Early NK
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Cooney, 1-40, 54-64
  • Simpson, 345-50 (Kamose) [NOT REQUIRED -- BRING SIMPSON, THOUGH]
  • Canvas: selections of funerary stela (including Hatshepsut's obelisk) [I will provide handout in class]

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
F Blog post #1 Deadline C 5 pm

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. If this is a revision of a Deadline A post, be sure to put this information in Canvas so I know you have revised. Posts will receive grades only.

Week 7: February 29-March 4
T Hatshepsut
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Special Guest: Dr. Cooney! ---RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 29
 
Th Hatshepsut and Tuthmosids wrapup--UPDATED
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Cooney, chapter 8, 10 (read ch 9 to learn more about Thutmose III)
  • Simpson, 351-355 (Stela of Thutmose III)

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Amarna period
 
Week 8: March 7-11
T Amarna
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Debate on the Amarna era
  • Mini lecture on the later NK

 

Th Tutankhamun and the Later NK

Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Mieroop 206-9 ("Akhenaten's successors"+ box on Tutankhamun's stela), box 8.1 on p. 211, 212-225, 230-32
  • Visit Tutankhamun's tomb
    • read about the tomb
    • click to look at the site drawings (on right)
    • click on the link to launch the tomb in the Atlas (lower right)
    • in the Atlas: watch the movie; after watching the movie, click on the "Description" tab and then click around the map to read about the tomb and see photos
  • View photographs of the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb (click on Image Gallery for the photos):
  • Simpson, 361-366 (Bentresh Stela), 284-88 (Penitential hymns)
  • Canvas: additional NK inscriptions

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:

Discussions based on the Study Guide

Week 9: SPRING BREAK
Week 10: March 21-25
T NK Funerary Practices
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Mieroop, 233-247
  • Canvas: Selections the Book of the Dead
  • Visit and spend a LONG time at the Theban Mapping Project
    • Open the Atlas for the Valley of the Kings to:
    • view the movie
    • Read the "Description" overivew
    • Click on the bar on the top of the Atlas that says Valley of the Kings and select tomb KV 14 for Tausert and Setnakht for a 3D tour
    • Go to the "Articles" section and read at least two articles of your choice
    • Explore other tombs, images, aspects of the site

Optional: More 3d tours (requires downloading special software) at

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on Said's Orientalism and The Mummy (1932)
 
Th The Book of the Dead and Colonial Egypt in Popular Culture
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Canvas: Said, Orientalism selections

Watch The Mummy (1932) in screening TBA

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on popular religion
Week 11: March 28-April 1
T Visit by Dr. Kara Cooney Updated
Before class:
  • Review Hatshepsut notes. Bring 1-2 questions for Dr. Cooney (printed out, with your name on it; you will turn them in).
  • Get started on popular religion & magic reading for Thursday
In class:
  • Conversation with Dr. Cooney
  • Bring your books

REMINDER 7 pm, Alumni House: Lecture by Dr. Cooney!

 
Th Popular Religion and Magic Updated
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Teeter, Chapters 6, 8, 9
  • Prayers TBA
 
F Blog post #2 Deadline A noon

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments by deadline B. Revisions for regrading due on deadline C

Week 12: April 4-8
M Blog post #2 Deadline B 5 pm

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments.

 

T Temples and Festivals Updated
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

Reading Quiz on Canvas

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture the end of ancient Egypt
 
Th Piye, Greece, and Rome
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • Simpson, 367-385 (Victory Stela of Piye)
  • Mieroop 316-336, 341-43

Visit

Reading Quiz on Canvas

Optional: Watch a scene from the play Antony and Cleopatra!

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on the Exodus
F Blog post #2 Deadline C 5 pm

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. If this is a revision of a Deadline A post, be sure to put this information in Canvas so I know you have revised. Posts will receive grades only.

Week 13: April 11-15

T Exodus
Before Class:

Study Guide

Read:

  • View Prince of Egypt (On Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, and 2 copies on reserve at the library): take notes! esp. see study guide
  • Exodus 1:1-6:13, 6:28-7:13, 11:1-14:31 in a Christian or Jewish Bible (if you don't have a bible, click HERE for Exodus chapters 1-14)
  • Canvas: Selections on slave spirituals (MOVED to next time)
In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on race

 
Th Egypt and race in modernity
Before Class:

Study Guide

Readings on CANVAS (or in handout) UPDATED:

  • slave spirituals
  • selection by Cone about slave spirituals
  • selection by Jacques Berlinerblau about Afrocentrism and "Black Athena" debate
In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on Stargate and imperialism
Week 14: April 18-22
M Blog post #3 Deadline A noon -- THIS DEADLINE IS MOVABLE DEPENDING ON DATE OF FIELD TRIP

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments by deadline B. Revisions for regrading due on deadline C

T No class (make up for field trip) Blog post #3 Deadline B 5 pm -- THIS DEADLINE IS MOVABLE DEPENDING ON DATE OF FIELD TRIP

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments.

Th Stargate and Imperialism
Before Class:

Study Guide

Watch Stargate in screening in class on Tuesday or from copies on reserve at library

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide
  • Mini lecture on Peters and antiquities laws
F Blog post #3 Deadline C 5 pm -- THIS DATE IS MOVEABLE DEPENDING ON DATE OF FIELD TRIP

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. If this is a revision of a Deadline A post, be sure to put this information in Canvas so I know you have revised. Posts will receive grades only.

Week 15: April 25-29
T Egyptology and Egyptological Fantasies
Before Class:

Study Guide

Peters, half the book

In class:
  • Discussions based on the Study Guide

 

Th Egyptology and Egyptological Fantasies part 2 -- UPDATED
Before Class:

Peters, finish the book

In class:
  • Discussion of Peters
  • Begin Al Mummia ("The Mummy"/Night of Counting the Years; Part 1 will be on Canvas soon; not on YouTube)
Week 16: May 2-6
T Ancient Egypt in 20th century Egypt's Culture, conclusions -- UPDATED
Before Class:

QUIZ will have questions on both parts of the movie. It will allow only 2 tries, to make sure you really do watch the movie :)

Study Guide

Finish watching Al Mummia on your own

In class:

Discussions based on the Study Guide

Course evaluations

F Blog post #4 & Overall blog refinement Deadline A 6 pm

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. Posts will receive grade and comments by Monday. (There is no deadline B.) Revisions for regrading due on deadline C.

Fix website: revise about page, refine theme/colors/images, decide what should be public or private, check categories and tags. Post link to your blog in Canvas. Grade and comments by Monday. Revisions for regrading due on deadline C.

Finals week May 9-13
W Blog post #4 & Overall blog refinement Deadline C 5 pm

Post link to your blog post in Canvas. If you put it behind a password, include the password in Canvas. If this is a revision of a Deadline A post, be sure to put this information in Canvas so I know you have revised. Posts will receive grades only.

Fix website: revise about page, refine theme/colors/images, decide what should be public or private, check categories and tags. If this is a revision of a Deadline A post, be sure to put this information in Canvas so I know you have revised. Post link to your blog in Canvas. Grades only.