Course syllabus

 

ANCHIST 252: Egyptian Religion

SEMESTER 2, 2020

15 points

 
Course Convenor: 

Jennifer Hellum  j.hellum@auckland.ac.nz

 

Course delivery format:

3 hours of lecture

Mondays     11-12 pm     Conference Centre, Room 348

Tuesdays    11-12 pm      Conference Centre, Room 348

Thursdays   11-12 pm     Conference Centre, Room 348

 

 Summary of Course Description:            

 This course will provide a thorough understanding of all facets of Egyptian religion, placing it within Egyptian society. It takes a largely thematic approach, examining different aspects of ancient Egyptian religion over the course of the semester. Certain pieces of evidence (such as funerary texts) will be looked at in chronological order; however, many lectures will encompass evidence from a wide time span, in order to present changes and continuity in beliefs and practices as evidenced from as wide a variety of sources as possible. 

This course is designed to make you think about the idea of faith in a polytheistic religion, and to understand that faith within the context of ancient Egyptian society. It is intended that you take away from this course an increased understanding and empathy for a very foreign religious belief system and practice. The course places a priority on critical thinking and judgement, by having you examine the relationships between a people and their deities, their ritual practices, and their understanding of the physical world. It will require you to engage with the material in the form of questions posed by me, case studies of various practices in Egyptian religion, and familiarity with the religious texts.

 

 Course outcomes:

The student who successfully completes this course will:

1. gain heightened skills in critical thinking
2. have increased appreciation for different belief systems
3. engage with the ancient Egyptian world-view
4. be able to put this critical apparatus to wider use and apply it to modern questions of religious debate and belief

 

 Assessment Summary:

30% quizzes (3 x 10%)

30% essay - 8 October

40% final exam

 

Weekly Topics:

Week One:

27 July: Introduction

28 July: Overview of Egyptian religion

30 July: Discussion - What makes an object religious?

 

Week Two:

3 August: Deities; Syncretism; Triads

4 August: Myths

6 August: Discussion - Reading: J. van Dijk, "Myth and Mythmaking in Ancient Egypt" (in Modules/Useful Articles)

 

Week Three:

10 August: Cosmogonies: Heliopolitan, Memphite, Hermopolitan

11 August: Keeping ma’at

13 August:

 

Week Four:

17 August: Temples

18 August: Priests and Priestesses

20 August:

 

Week Five:

24 August: Ritual, offerings, and festivals

25 August: Funerary Books: PTs, CTs, BoD

27 August: QUIZ 1

 

Week Six:

31 August: Pyramid Texts: an indepth study

1 September: FIP and MK funerary stelae

3 September:

 

Mid-semester break: September 5 - September 20

 

Week Seven:

21 September: Religion of the Commoners

22 September: The King in the Religion

24 September: QUIZ 2

 

Week Eight:

28 September: Amarna Period Religion 1

29 September: Amarna Period Religion 2

1 October:

 

Week Nine:

5 October: Sacred Geographies

6 October: Solar Theology

8 October: ESSAY DUE

 

Week Ten:

12 October: Religious Art - Reliefs

13 October: Religious Art - Iconography

15 October: QUIZ 3

 

Week Eleven:

19 October: Religious Magic

20 October: Orientalism and Egyptian Religion

22 October:

 

Week Twelve:

26 October: LABOUR DAY

27 October:

29 October:

 

Prescribed Texts:

Stephen Quirke, Exploring Religion in Ancient Egypt - available as an e-book from the library

 Workload and deadlines for submission of coursework:           

The University of Auckland's expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on a 15-point course, including time in class and personal study. Students should manage their academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Deadlines for coursework are set by course convenors and will be advertised in course material. You should submit your work on time. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you may be required to provide supporting information before the assignment is due. Late assignments without a pre-approved extension may be penalised by loss of marks – check course information for details.