Course
Syllabi
Ancient Writing Systems
In this course, students will examine what writing is by going back to the beginning, looking at some of the most ancient writing systems from all over the world, including Western Asia, North Africa, China, and Mesoamerica. Students will learn about how these writing systems were developed, used, and re-used. They will also explore the diverse ways in which writing can express spoken language.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, the students
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will know what a writing system is and what makes a writing system different from a language or from a set of non-linguistic symbols.
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will become acquainted with the features of several different ancient writing systems and how they developed.
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will be able to classify writing systems based on distinguishing criteria.
Middle Egyptian Texts
This course continues an introduction to ancient Egyptian culture and society through a close reading of its 'classic' literature from the Middle Kingdom (circa 2025-1773 BCE) and beyond, until the disappearance of hieroglyphs over two thousand years later.
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Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, the students
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will be familiar with key genres of texts written in the Middle Egyptian language
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will know where to find and how to use important research tools — such as dictionaries, grammars editions, and translations
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will be able to read Middle Egyptian texts
Introduction to Old Egyptian
The purpose of this class is to introduce students to the grammar of the stage of the Egyptian language known as Old Egyptian. Students will be acquainted with several of the most prominent text genres of this language phase.
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Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, the students
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will be familiar with key genres of texts written in the Old Egyptian language
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will know where to find and how to use important research tools — such as dictionaries, grammars editions, and translations
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will be able to read Old Egyptian texts
