Courses
Not all courses are offered every year. Please check the Brown Online Course Announcement for class availability and meeting times.
Courses open to Undergraduate and Graduate students.
ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANCIENT EGYPT EGYT 1200, EGYT 1210
Instructor:Staff.
This course is a general survey of the archaeology of ancient Egypt in prehistoric and Pharaonic times. It covers such areas as the development of private and royal funerary monuments, private and royal dwellings, and temples. Attention is also paid to the principles of Egyptian art and architecture and, where appropriate, to archaeological connections with the surrounding cultures.
- EGYT 1210 is a continuation of EGYT 1200.
- Students need not take both EGYT 1200 and 1210.
- No prerequisties
- Not offered 2008-2009
MIDDLE EGYPTIAN:
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHIC WRITING SYSTEM AND THE CLASSICAL STAGE OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LANGUAGE EGYT 1310, EGYT 1320
Instructor: Mr. Sung Hwan Yoo.
Much of this two-semester sequence will be spent learning the signs, vocabulary and grammar of one of the oldest languages known. By the end of this introductory year, students read authentic texts of biographical, historical and literary significance. This is the cornerstone course in the Department of Egyptology--essential for any serious work in this field and particularly recommended for students in archaeology, history, classics, and religious studies.
- No prerequisites for EGYT 1310.
- EGYT 1310 is a prerequisite for EGYT 1320.
- Offered Semester I (EGYT 1310) and Semester II (EGYT 1320).
SELECTIONS FROM MIDDLE EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHIC TEXTS
EGYT 1330
Instructor: Professor James P. Allen.
Readings from the various genres of classical Egyptian literature, including stories and other literary texts, historical inscriptions, and religious compositions. Students will be expected to translate and discuss assigned texts.
- Prerequisite: EGYT 1310, EGYT 1320 .
- May be repeated once for credit.
- Offered Semester II.
SELECTIONS FROM MIDDLE EGYPTIAN HIERATIC TEXTS
EGYT 1340
Instructor: Staff.
Introduction to the hieratic script and readings from a variety of hieratic documents, including literary compositions, letters, and religious texts. Students will be expected to translate and discuss assigned texts
- Prerequisite: EGYT 1310, EGYT 1320 .
- May be repeated once for credit.
- Not offered 2008-2009.
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LITERATURE EGYT 1410
Instructor: Staff.
This survey is an introduction to one of the most intriguing aspects of ancient Egyptian culture. There are no prerequisites for this course, but students will be expected to read (in translation) many of the most significant literary documents that survive from Egypt. A reasonable amount of historical perspective will be presented, but students will be expected to participate in class discussions concerning the nature, purpose, quality, and effectiveness of the works read. Students will also be expected to write two term papers in this course.
- Not offered 2008-2009.
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RELIGION AND MAGIC EGYT 1420
Instructor: Professor James P. Allen.
This course will provide an overview of ancient Egyptian religion from both a synchronic and diachronic perspective. We will examine such topics as the Egyptian pantheon, cosmology, cosmogony, religious anthropology, personal religion, magic, and funerary beliefs. Students will be acquainted with the different genres of Egyptian religious texts in translation. The archaeological evidence which contributes to our understanding of Egyptian religion will also be treated, including temple and tomb architecture and decoration. A mid-term and final will be given and one research paper will be required.
- Offered Semester I.
HISTORY OF EGYPT I
THE HISTORY AND SOCIETY OF ANCIENT EGYPT
EGYT 1430
Instructor:Staff.
A survey of the history and society of ancient Egypt from prehistoric times to the Second Intermediate Period, ca. 5000 - 1550 B.C. While the course is concerned primarily with the internal political and social history of Egypt, it also emphasizes Egypt's relations with Nubia, Western Asia, and the Aegean World. Readings include translations of original documents illustrating various aspects of Egyptian civilization such as literature, the theory of government and Egyptian historiography.
- No prerequisites.
- Not offered 2008-2009.
HISTORY OF EGYPT II
THE NEW KINGDOM EGYT 1440
Instructor:Staff.
Continuation of Egyptology 143 . An examination of the rise and fall of ancient Egypt as an Imperial power, ca. 1550 - 1000 BC, the first age of internationalism in world history. Egyptian political and social history remain the primary emphasis, although this must now be placed in a much larger context. International relations of the period include extensive contacts with the Hittite, Mitannian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires and the resulting cultural contacts and exchanges. Translations of original documents are used to define such important elements of Egyptian civilization as its legal system; economic theory, and the extensive use of oracles in everyday life.
- No prerequisites.
- Not offered 2008-2009.
HISTORY OF EGYPT III
LIBYANS, NUBIANS, AND PERSIANS IN EGYPT
EGYT 1450
Instructor: Professor Leo Depuydt.
Continuation of EGYT 1430 , 1440 (not prerequisites). Covers the Third Intermediate and Late Periods (c. 1000-332 BCE), from the end of the New Kingdom to Alexander's conquest, an era characterized by much internal conflict and long intervals of foreign domination by neighboring African and Asian states. This era, in which Egypt became something of a melting-pot, is often described as a period of decline, in contrast with the Pyramid Age (2550-1800) and the Age of the Empire (1500-1000). Closer study shows it to be eventful and rich in artistic expression.
- No prerequisites.
- Offered Semester I.
HISTORY OF EGYPT IV
THE AGE OF CLEOPATRA EGYT 1460
Instructor: Professor Leo Depuydt.
Continuation of Egyptology 1430 , 1440 ,and 1450 (not prerequisites). Covers the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods (332 BCE-640, CE), from Alexander's conquest to the Arab conquest. The Ptolemaic Dynasty(305-30) was the last period of Egyptian independence until modern times. Topics will be the interaction between Roman, Greek, and Egyptian concepts of government; Alexandria and its legacy, including the Museum and the Library, and the symbiosis of an unprecedented variety of philosophical and religious movements, including animal worship, Christianity, Gnosticism, Judaism, Manichaeism, Middle Platonism and Neo-Plantonism, monasticism, and Pharaonic religion. Owing to the many papyri preserved in desert sands, daily life in this period is better documented for Egypt than for any part of the Roman empire.
- No prerequisites.
- Offered Semester II.
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE
EGYT1500
Instructor: Staff.
Ancient Egyptian art and architecture had a remarkably long history, and much that was produced is amazingly well preserved. Almost anything Egyptian is immediately recognizable today, but developments in most areas were steady and pronounced. To do justice to this subject, a number of experts will cooperate in presenting various topics including monumental buildings and lavishly decorated tombs, as well as the sculpture, painting, and minor arts of all periods from Predynastic to Nubian. The ancient artisans, their materials, and their techniques will be discussed; modern efforts undertaken to conserve and document their work will also be described. Prerequisite: previous course work in Egyptology (e.g. EGYT 1430 or 1440) or written permission of the instructor.
- Not offered 2008-2009.
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ART II EGYT 1510
Instructor: Professor Laurel Bestock.
Considers the art of the ancient Egypt's New Kingdom or Empire Period (1500-1100 B.C.). The relief carving and painting of Theban temples and tombs are studied in detail, and the developments leading to the revolutionary Amarna style of art is carefully analyzed. Decorative arts, Tutankhamun's treasures, and recent exciting discoveries are all surveyed.
- Offered Semester II.
SENIOR SEMINAR
EGYT 1910, EGYT 1920
Instructor: Staff.
Senior seminar.
- Offered Semester I (EGYT 1910) and Semester II (EGYT 1920).
- Check with the Registrar to determine the appropriate section.
History of Mathematics
INTRODUCTION TO AKKADIAN HMAT 0200
Instructor: Professor Jamie Novotny.
Akkadian is the earliest-attested member of the Semitic family of languages and is the language of the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, the peoples of Mesopotamia. The numerous texts of the ancient language are written in cuneiform ("wedge-shaped") script. This course introduces students to Old Babylonian grammar and script. Students will read Old Babylonian contracts and laws from Hammurapi's "code"; some texts will be read from the original cuneiform.
- No prerequisites.
- Offered Semester I.
INTERMEDIATE AKKADIAN HMAT 0210
Instructor: Professor Jamie Novotny.
This course continues the introduction to Old Babylonian grammar, script, and texts begun in Introduction to Akkadian. In addition to lessons on grammar, students will read laws from Hammurapi's "code", letters, contracts, omen texts, royal inscriptions, hymns to the goddess Ishtar, prayers to the moon-god, and Tablet II of the Epic of Gilgamesh.
- Prerequiste HMAT 0200.
- Offered Semester II.
Courses primarily for Graduate students.
INTRODUCTION TO COPTIC EGYT 2210
Instructor: Professor Leo Depuydt.
Coptic, the last stage of the ancient Egyptian language, was written with essentially Greek alphabetic characters. This course is an introduction to Sahidic, which is perhaps the best representation of the Coptic dialects. Sahidic grammar will be explained, and some texts, mainly of a biblical and patristic nature, will be read. Open to undergraduates with the consent of the instructor. Knowledge of Middle Egyptian and/or Greek would be helpful.
- No prerequisites.
- Offered Semester II.
INTRODUCTION TO LATE EGYPTIAN EGYT 2410
Instructor: Professor James P. Allen.
Introduction to the grammar of the third historical phase of ancient Egyptian and the readings from its various genres, including literary texts, letters, historical inscriptions, and tomb-robbing papyri. Students will be expected to translate and discuss assigned texts.
- Prerequisites: EGYT 1310, EGYT 1320.
- Offered Semesters I & II.
SOCIAL LIFE IN ANCIENT EGYPT EGYT 2510
Instructor: Professor Laurel Bestock.
This course will provide a valuable opportunity to link theory and data innovatively. Taking the lifecycle as its structure, it covers Egyptian life from conception to death and the afterlife, drawing together a range of data sources, such as a material culture, iconography, textual data, and human remains.
- Offered Semester I.
INTRODUCTION TO DEMOTIC
EGYT 2610
Instructor: Prof. Depuydt.
After discussions and exercises in the grammar and peculiar script of this late stage of the Egyptian language, the student will begin reading actual ancient texts, including The Instructions of Onkhsheshonkhy, The Petition of Petiese , and The Story of Setne Khaemwas . Knowledge of Demotic remains essential for a proper understanding of Egypt during the Saite, Persian, Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Open to Undergraduates with the consent of the instructor.
- Prerequisites: EGYT 2410 or EGYT 2210 .
- Offered Semester I.
INTRODUCTION TO OLD EGYPTIAN
EGYT 2810
Instructor: Staff.
Introduction to the grammar of the first historical phase of ancient Egyptian and readings from its two primary genres, the Pyramid Texts and autobiographical inscriptions. Students will be expected to translate and discuss assigned texts.
- Prerequisites: EGYT 1330, EGYT 1340.
- Not offered 2008-2009 .
PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION PREPARATION
EGYT 2970
Instructor: Staff.
For graduate students who have met the tuition requirement and are paying the Registration Fee to continue active enrollment while preparing for a preliminary examination.
- Offered Semester I and II.
READING AND RESEARCH
EGYT 2980
Instructor: Staff.
Reading and Research.
- Offered Semester I and II.
THESIS PREPARATION
EGYT 2990
Instructor: Staff.
For graduate students who have met the tuition requirement and are paying the Registration Fee to continue active enrollment while preparing a thesis.
- Offered Semester I and II.
History of Mathematics
ASSYRIOLOGY l HMAT 2310B
Instructor: Professor Jamie Novotny.
The kings of Agade and Assyria took every opportunity to boast about their military victories, sucessful hunts, the completion of new cities, and the building and decoration of temples and palaces. This course (Agade, Assur, Calah, and Nineveh) examines the history of the kings of Agade and Assyria (2334-612 BC); emphasis is placed on reading Akkadian texts in translation, including royal inscriptions, scholarly letters, and astrological reports.
- Offered Semeter I.
ASSYRIOLOGY II HMAT 2310C
Instructor: Professor Jamie Novotny.
This semester will focus on selected topics of the Neo-Assyrian history (1000-612 BC), including: the royal family; the queen and her influence; celebrating New Year's festivals; hunting lions; conquering a city; constructing and decorating palaces and temples; urban renewal and the founding of new cities; the substitute king ritual; and scholary life. Assyria in the first millennium BC will be examined principally from Assyrian texts in translation.
- Offered Semester II.
FALL XLIST Courses of Interest to Concentrators in Egyptology and Ancient Western Asian Studies
ARCH 0030 Art in Antiquity: An Introduction
ARCH 0150 Introduction to Egyptian Archaeology & Art
ARCH 0250 Intimate Stories
ARCH 2050 Glimpses of Mesopotamian History & Archaelogy
SPRING XLIST
ARCH 1625 Egyptian Religion & Culture
ARCH 1710 Architecture and Memory