Egyptology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a general understanding of ancient Egypt, from the end of the fourth millennium BC to the Roman conquest of the country. It is an introduction to the Egyptological discipline in its various aspects, aimed at providing general elements and specific insights into the history, archaeology, culture, religion, language and literature of ancient Egypt (with notions of grammar and reading of texts in Egyptian hieroglyph). Issues related to the history of the discipline will also be discussed, making use of the documents preserved in the Egyptological Archives of the University of Milan. Each year we will also deal with a specific topic, in relation to the research activities of the teacher and the advances in Egyptological research in general. The educational objective of the course is to develop general knowledge related to all aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization, its transformations over the millennia and its influence on modern and contemporary culture.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student must have acquired a basic knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization in its development and its transformations, through the analysis of archaeological, iconographic and textual sources. He must also have developed critical skills in the interpretation of documents; ability to distinguish between preconceived ideas and results deriving from scientific research; awareness of the content and usefulness for the research of the Egyptological archives and the history of the discipline.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
The classes will take place remotely, mainly in synchronous form, through Teams, class: Egittologia 20/21. The recording of the lessons will however also be posted on the Ariel platform.
If the sanitary conditions permit, periodic meetings are scheduled with the students, in small groups, at the Library and Archives of Egyptology. The calendar will be published on the Ariel platform.
Students will find all the information to access the lessons (link etc.) and any changes to the reference material (bibliography etc.) on the Ariel platform.
If it is not possible to take the exam according to the methods provided in the Syllabus, the exam will take place electronically with the methods that will be communicated on the Ariel platform of the teaching at the end of the course.
If the sanitary conditions permit, periodic meetings are scheduled with the students, in small groups, at the Library and Archives of Egyptology. The calendar will be published on the Ariel platform.
Students will find all the information to access the lessons (link etc.) and any changes to the reference material (bibliography etc.) on the Ariel platform.
If it is not possible to take the exam according to the methods provided in the Syllabus, the exam will take place electronically with the methods that will be communicated on the Ariel platform of the teaching at the end of the course.
Course syllabus
The teaching programme covers general topics and specific in-depth studies on the history, archaeology, culture, religion, language and literature of Pharaonic Egypt. In teaching unit A, elements of history, archaeology, culture and religion will be provided. Issues related to the history of Egyptological discipline will also be discussed, with particular reference to the Egyptological Archives of the University of Milan and by illustrating documents preserved in them. In teaching unit B the latest phases of Pharaonic history will be presented, and the archaeological, historical, cultural, religious and administrative aspects related to the First Nome of Upper Egypt (the region of modern Aswan) will be explained in detail. Teaching unit C will be dedicated to the ancient Egyptian language, writings and literature and will give the basics of grammar and reading of texts in Egyptian hieroglyphic.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission
Teaching methods
Teaching units A and B consist of synchronous lectures accompanied by images and videos, so that the student can associate archaeological and textual data with historical and cultural ones. Copyright-free images are uploaded at the end of each lecture onto the ARIEL platform. Some copyright-free essays are also uploaded onto the ARIEL platform. Through the images and explanations provided during the classes, student can obtain, associating personal study of the volumes indicated in the bibliography, a basic knowledge of the history, archaeology, culture and religion of Pharaonic Egypt.
Teaching unit C, dedicated to hieroglyphic writing, language and literature of Pharaonic Egypt, consists of lectures and practical exercises devoted to the reading and comprehension of signs and texts. Course support materials (hieroglyphic signs lists, texts, etc.) are uploaded onto the ARIEL platform. Thanks to the interaction with the teacher, and to personal study, at the end of the course the student will be able to read and translate simple texts in the Middle Egyptian.
Course attendance is strongly recommended, especially for teaching unit C.
Teaching unit C, dedicated to hieroglyphic writing, language and literature of Pharaonic Egypt, consists of lectures and practical exercises devoted to the reading and comprehension of signs and texts. Course support materials (hieroglyphic signs lists, texts, etc.) are uploaded onto the ARIEL platform. Thanks to the interaction with the teacher, and to personal study, at the end of the course the student will be able to read and translate simple texts in the Middle Egyptian.
Course attendance is strongly recommended, especially for teaching unit C.
Teaching Resources
Teaching Unit A
- Personal notes from the classes.
- P. PIACENTINI, "L'Egitto nel Periodo Protodinastico e nell'Antico Regno", in A. BARBERO (ed.), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, I, Roma, Salerno editrice, 2006, pp. 589-653 (uploaded onto the ARIEL platform)
- K.A. BARD, Archeologia dell'antico Egitto, Roma, Carocci editore, 2013.
- P. PIACENTINI, "Topografia archeologica", in A. Roccati (ed.), Egittologia, Roma: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2005, pp. 159-195 (uploaded onto the ARIEL platform).
- P. PIACENTINI, Egitto dal cielo 1914. La riscoperta del fotografo Theodor Kofler pioniere, prigioniero, professionista / Egypt from the sky. The rediscovery of the photographer Theodor Kofler pioneer, prisoner, professional, Firenze, Phasar, 2015, pp. 7, 19-27, 77-80, 94-135 (students must be able to recognise the monuments on the photographs). (The volume can be purchased on the website www.phasar.net, or in bookshops or online bookshops).
Teaching Unit B
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes and uploaded onto the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Unit C
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Documents uploaded onto the ARIEL platform.
- Personal notes from the classes.
- P. PIACENTINI, "L'Egitto nel Periodo Protodinastico e nell'Antico Regno", in A. BARBERO (ed.), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, I, Roma, Salerno editrice, 2006, pp. 589-653 (uploaded onto the ARIEL platform)
- K.A. BARD, Archeologia dell'antico Egitto, Roma, Carocci editore, 2013.
- P. PIACENTINI, "Topografia archeologica", in A. Roccati (ed.), Egittologia, Roma: Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 2005, pp. 159-195 (uploaded onto the ARIEL platform).
- P. PIACENTINI, Egitto dal cielo 1914. La riscoperta del fotografo Theodor Kofler pioniere, prigioniero, professionista / Egypt from the sky. The rediscovery of the photographer Theodor Kofler pioneer, prisoner, professional, Firenze, Phasar, 2015, pp. 7, 19-27, 77-80, 94-135 (students must be able to recognise the monuments on the photographs). (The volume can be purchased on the website www.phasar.net, or in bookshops or online bookshops).
Teaching Unit B
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes and uploaded onto the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Unit C
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Documents uploaded onto the ARIEL platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students' expected learning outcomes are ascertained through an oral exam. The exam consists of an interview on the topics of the programme, aimed at ascertaining basic knowledge on the history, archaeology and ancient Egyptian culture, as well as on the history of the discipline. During the interview, images of monuments and archaeological sites (shown during the course or included in the volumes in bibliography) will be presented to students. They will need to recognise and contextualise them. Students who follow the C teaching unit must be able to read and translate the Egyptian hieroglyphic texts explained during the course and have acquired the basics of ancient Egyptian grammar.
Evaluation criteria will be: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and exhaustive way; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of exposure; competence in the use of specialised vocabulary.
Marks are out of 30 (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
Students can attend teaching units A and B or A and C to obtain 6 credits (the introductory module A is mandatory). Students opting for 9 credits must attend units A, B and C.
It is not possible to obtain only 3 credits (choosing a single unit).
Evaluation criteria will be: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and exhaustive way; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of exposure; competence in the use of specialised vocabulary.
Marks are out of 30 (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
Students can attend teaching units A and B or A and C to obtain 6 credits (the introductory module A is mandatory). Students opting for 9 credits must attend units A, B and C.
It is not possible to obtain only 3 credits (choosing a single unit).
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 11am-13am, Thursday 11am-12am, on appointment by e-mail
Office (Library of Egyptology)