Introduction to Pharaonic Egypt: Mind and Memory of an Ancient Civilization
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to offer the useful tools for an approach to pharaonic history and culture (iconography, material culture, written sources, religion). During the lessons, some detailed studies will be offered to let the student acquire the basic tools for the study of ancient Egypt. These skills will contribute to the training of students in a wider context of historical disciplines, with a specific focus on the theme of cultural memory and the transmission of semantic elements of the pharaonic civilisation. Thanks to the investigative work, the student will be able to verify the complexity of the pharaonic culture. The achievement of this target will contribute to the maturation of scientific skills in the historical fields.
Expected learning outcomes
1.Knowledge and understanding: basic knowledge and understanding of pharaonic Egypt. Knowledge and understanding of ancient civilisation, and the dynamics of transmission of semantic themes of the pharaonic civilisation within cultural memory.
2.Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Development of the critical attitude to the ancient materials and their analysis.
3.Making judgments: Ability to critically analyse issues related to Pharaonic Egypt.
4.Communication skills: Ability to present critically (in English) a topic touched upon during the course and related to pharaonic Egypt using appropriate terminology.
5.Learning skills: Ability to critically access bibliography, both texts and online sources, to expand knowledge.
2.Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: Development of the critical attitude to the ancient materials and their analysis.
3.Making judgments: Ability to critically analyse issues related to Pharaonic Egypt.
4.Communication skills: Ability to present critically (in English) a topic touched upon during the course and related to pharaonic Egypt using appropriate terminology.
5.Learning skills: Ability to critically access bibliography, both texts and online sources, to expand knowledge.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Duration: 40 hours (6 CFU). The course offers an introduction to the Egyptian state and the basic cultural patterns of the Pharaonic civilisation. Topics dealt with will be:
1. Territory and its cultural and political interpretation, the basis of the territorial state.
2. The development of the discipline of Egyptology.
3. The social model and hierarchy as a characterizing element of the ancient Egyptian society.
4. The interpretation of reality: the ordered world and chaos as tools for reading the world.
5. The historical framework and its reconstruction; direct and indirect sources of Egyptian history.
6. Formal languages: architecture and representation. Materials and techniques.
7. The relationship with Rome and the birth of an idea of "Egypt" beyond Pharaonic culture.
1. Territory and its cultural and political interpretation, the basis of the territorial state.
2. The development of the discipline of Egyptology.
3. The social model and hierarchy as a characterizing element of the ancient Egyptian society.
4. The interpretation of reality: the ordered world and chaos as tools for reading the world.
5. The historical framework and its reconstruction; direct and indirect sources of Egyptian history.
6. Formal languages: architecture and representation. Materials and techniques.
7. The relationship with Rome and the birth of an idea of "Egypt" beyond Pharaonic culture.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no pre-requisites for admission to the course. A basic knowledge of the ancient eastern Mediterranean and the fundamentals of a historical approach are suggested.
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures accompanied by images and videos, so that the student can associate archaeological and textual data with historical and cultural ones. Through the images and explanations provided during the classes, the student can arrive, associating the personal study of the volumes indicated in the bibliography, at a basic knowledge of the history, archaeology, culture and religion of Pharaonic Egypt.
Teaching Resources
P. PIACENTINI, M. POZZI BATTAGLIA, Egittologia: Un'introduzione, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, Milano, 2023.
E.M. CIAMPINI, Cercando un altro Egitto. Sopravvivenze di un'antica civiltà nella cultura europea, Unicopli, Trezzano sul Naviglio (MI), 2013.
E.M. CIAMPINI, Cercando un altro Egitto. Sopravvivenze di un'antica civiltà nella cultura europea, Unicopli, Trezzano sul Naviglio (MI), 2013.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student's expected learning outcomes are ascertained through an oral exam. The exam consists of an interview on the topics of the program, 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 in the classroom during the course or included in the volumes in bibliography) will be presented to the students. They will need to recognize and contextualize them.
Evaluation parameters 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 specialized vocabulary.
The vote is expressed in thirtieths (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
Evaluation parameters 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 specialized vocabulary.
The vote is expressed in thirtieths (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Piacentini Patrizia
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 11am-13am, Thursday 11am-12am, on appointment by e-mail
Office (Library of Egyptology)