History 302

MWF 9:00-9:50

Course Description:

Pyramids, sphinxes, and ankhs, oh my! In this course, you will learn about the salient features of ancient Egyptian civilization, including its geography, history, religion, political structures and art. We will examine ancient Egypt through an exploration of the primary sources used to reconstruct its history. These primary sources are both textual AND visual, and include archaeological artifacts, images, and architectural features as well as a diverse array of written documents. From the development of ancient Egyptian civilization in the 4^th millennium B.C. to the age of pyramid-building in the 3^rd millennium, to the imperial power of the Egyptian New Kingdom in the 2^nd millennium, I hope that the "basics" of ancient Egyptian civilization and history will come alive to you in class and in course readings.

Instructor: Allison Thomason

Office: 2336 Peck Hall

Office Hours: M,W, F 10:00-11:00 am, W 12:00-1:00 pm, or by appointment

Phone: 650-3685 (my office); 650-2414 (department office)

Email: althoma@siue.edu

Expectations of Students, Classroom Conduct, and Attendance Policy:

1. Students are expected to arrive on time, attend class alertly, conduct yourself with respect for your fellow students and myself, and participate in class discussions.
2. Consistent lateness to class, disrespectful treatment of or behavior towards others, and early departures will seriously affect your grade and can result in involuntary withdrawal from the course (for policies on Academic conduct, see the Student Conduct Code: www.siue.edu/POLICIES/3c2.html).
3. Lectures and readings may not cover the same material in the same manner, but you are responsible for the information contained in BOTH for your exams. Since much of this class will involve VISUAL IMAGES seen in class (slides, maps, etc.), it is important for you to come to class. If you have to miss a class, make sure that you get the notes from someone.
4. In addition, I hope that you will contribute to the group and class discussions, and ask questions in class. This will not only help your attendance and participation grade, but it will also help you to become more engaged in the class, and therefore more prepared for exams and more understanding of history.
5. Pop quizzes will be given to check attendance and reading comprehension.

Attendance/Participation/Reading 150 points

Map and Chronology Quiz 50 points

Written Assignment #1 100 points

Written Assignment #2 100 points

Midterm Exam 200 points

Final Exam 200 points

Summaries for Presentations (per person) 100 points

TOTAL 1000 points

There will be two written assignments, which will be handed out in class. Each must be at least 2 pages, no more than double-spaced, 12-point font, and 1-inch margins. The first assignment will be questions concerning the issue "Who were the Egyptians and why does it matter?" The second assignment will deal with the video "This Old Pyramid".

At the end of the semester, you will give group oral presentations on a topic of Egyptian social or cultural history chosen from the following list:

Egyptomania in the 3^rd millennium A.D., Private and Family Life, Images of Women in Egyptian Art, Social and Legal Roles of Women, Priests and Rituals, Witchcraft Magic and Divination, Scribes and Literacy, Music and Dance, Legal Institutions, "Autobiographical" Literature, Medicine and anatomy, Bureaucracy and administration, Economy and Trade, Military strategy and organization, Work: agriculture and crafts, Foreigners in Egypt

This presentation must be well researched and organized, and each of you must contribute equally to both the research and presentation and demonstrate to me that this has happened in the presentation. You will be graded individually on both your knowledge of the material, your contribution, and your style of presentation. I encourage you to use visual aids such as handouts, slides, computer images, and posters to enhance your presentation.

Each individual must hand in a two-page summary of the segment of the Group Presentation for which he or she will be responsible. This summary must be well organized and must contain all the relevant information that you will discuss in your presentation. In addition, it should list at least 3 pertinent and valid references that you consulted.

Make-up Policy:

Make-up quizzes (excluding pop quizzes) and exams will only be given in cases of unforeseen medical or family emergencies. You will need to contact me prior to the exam time if you would like to be excused from an exam, and will be granted a make-up or not at my discretion. Make-up exams must be taken within one week of the original exam date and the exam time will be scheduled at my discretion (in consultation with you). If you do not show up for a quiz or an exam and I did not excuse you ahead of time, you will receive a zero (0) on the exam.

Plagiarism and Use of Internet:

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's writing without giving credit to that individual. Plagiarism can take several forms. It can consist of paraphrase or word-by-word transcription; the uncited source can be a published work, from a website or discussion group on the internet, or the unpublished work of another student or acquaintance. It is every student's responsibility to know what plagiarism is and to avoid committing it. If you are in doubt, it is better to document a source than not to. The penalty for this offense, which is quite serious, is outlined in the Student Conduct Code (http://www.siue.edu/POLICIES/3c2.html).

1. Grimal, M. A History of Ancient Egypt=Grimal (Textbook Rental)
2. Kemp, B. Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization=Kemp (Textbook Rental)
3. Primary Documents in Translation (Handout)=Documents

*** BRING TO CLASS EVERY DAY***

4. Visual Materials for Ancient Egypt (Handout) *** BRING TO CLASS EVERY DAY***
5. Other Handouts as noted below in class schedule

In addition, there will be a few general reference books available on reserve for this course for your general perusal, for studying exams, etc.:

1. Baines and Malek, Atlas of Ancient Egypt
2. Aldred, Akhnaten, King of Egypt
3. Kemp, Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization
4. Smith, The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt
5. Lehner, The Complete Pyramids
6. Tutankhamun Treasures: a loan exhibition from the Department of antiquities of the United Arab Republic
7. Robins, Women in Ancient Egypt
8. O’Connor, et. al., Ancient Egypt: A Social History
9. Civilizations of the Ancient Near East (4-volume Reference set)

In REFERENCE: DS57.C55.1995

Class topics are subject to change, Exam dates and Assignment due dates are fixed and will not change. Readings are all REQUIRED unless otherwise noted. All reading assignments should be completed by the day under which they are placed in the syllabus.

You will understand my lectures and contribute more if you read the sections that we will be discussing before you come to class. After hearing the lecture, you might also choose to go BACK OVER the reading to familiarize yourself even more with the topics, names, and dates.

Week 1: Monday: Orientation

Reading: Get a head start on next week’s reading

Week 2: Monday: Egypt in modern times: discovery, relevance

(Jan. 14-18) Wednesday: DISCUSSION of race and ethnicity:

Week 3: Monday: NO CLASS, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

(Jan. 21-25) Wednesday: Religion and historical overview

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #1 Due

Friday: Video

Reading: Grimal, 17-48

Kemp, 1-15

Documents, "Memphite Theology of Creation"

Week 4: Monday: Early Dynastic period and state formation

(Jan. 28-Feb. 1) Wednesday: Dynasties 0-2

MAP and CHRONOLOGY QUIZ

Week 5: Monday: Dynasty 4: Snefru

(Feb. 4-8) Wednesday: Dynasty 4: Giza

Friday: Dynasty 4: Giza continued

Friday: Late Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period

Reading: Grimal, 124-161

Documents, "Autobiography of Weni"

Documents, "Pyramid Texts"

Documents, "Autobiography of Ankhtify"

Week 7: Monday: Middle Kingdom

(Feb. 18-22) Wednesday: Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period: Hyksos

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT #2 Due

Week 8: Monday: Hatchepsut and Tutmosis III

(Feb. 25-Mar. 1) Wednesday: Amunhotep III and the Egyptian Empire

Friday: MIDTERM EXAM

Week 9: Monday: Akhnaten and Amarna

(Mar. 4-8) Wednesday: Amarna, continued

Friday: VIDEO: Tutankhamun

Week 10: SPRING BREAK, No Classes

(Mar. 11-17)

Week 11: Monday: Tutankhamun, continued

(Mar. 18-22) Wednesday: Valley of the Kings, Queens, and Nobles

Reading: Grimal, 241-244

Handout on Egyptian Empire

Week 12: Monday: Ramesses II, Merneptah and the Exodus

(Mar. 25-29) TOPICS for Group Presentations ASSIGNED TODAY

Wednesday: Ramesses III and the Sea Peoples

Friday: Library Session: "Researching the Ancient World"

Week 13: Monday: Regular folks in the New Kingdom: village of Deir el-Medineh

(April 1-5) Wednesday: Late Period: Nubians, Libyans, Assyrians

Friday: Tips on Group Presentations; Ptolemaic Egypt

Reading: Grimal, 277-292, 334-366

Documents, "Plutarch on Cleopatra"

Week 14 Monday: VIDEO: Cleopatra

(April 8-12) Summaries for Group Presentations due (Groups 1-6)

Wednesday: VIDEO: Cleopatra

Thursday PM: EXTRA VIDEO SESSION at NIGHT for Cleopatra

Friday: VIDEO and DISCUSSION: Cleopatra

Week 15 Monday: Group Presentations 1-2

(April 15-19) Summaries for Group Presentations due (Groups 7-10)

Wednesday: Group Presentations: 3-4

Week 16: Monday: Group Presentations: 7-8

(April 22-26) Wednesday: Group Presentations: 9-10

Friday: Course Summary

Reading: Study for Final

Week 17: FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, April 30, 8:00-9:40 am