| CODE | NES3002 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Egyptian Hieroglyphs | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Middle Eastern and Asian Languages and Cultures | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit is an introductory unit designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the ancient writing system used by the ancient Egyptians. Hieroglyphs are pictorial symbols that were used to convey both phonetic and ideographic meanings, making them a complex but fascinating system of communication. This unit will introduce students to the key elements of Egyptian hieroglyphs, their history, and usage, and will cover basic reading, writing, and interpretation skills. This study unit serves as a foundation for further studies in Egyptology and ancient history, with the aim to spark curiosity and interest in Ancient Egypt while providing essential language skills to explore more advanced topics in the field. No prior knowledge required. Study-unit Aims: - To introduce students to the Egyptian hieroglyphic writing system, the main phonological principles of the language, and pronunciation of words; - To develop students' ability to recognize, read, and write basic hieroglyphs, including phonetic and ideographic symbols; - To explain basic notions of Egyptian hieroglyphs through the reading of select inscriptions found in tombs, temples, and artefacts; - To grasp the significance of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing in ancient Egyptian society and culture by understanding how hieroglyphs were used in various aspects of their civilization, such as religious texts, monuments, and everyday communication. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - identify basic Egyptian hieroglyphs; - recognize and differentiate between common hieroglyphic symbols, including phonetic and ideographic signs; - read and transcribe basic hieroglyphic texts and inscriptions, understanding their phonetic and symbolic meanings; - demonstrate the ability to write basic sentences and phrases using hieroglyphic symbols; - explain the historical and cultural importance of hieroglyphs in ancient Egyptian society, discussing their role in religious practices, monumental inscriptions, and everyday life; - interpret simple hieroglyphic inscriptions found in archaeological contexts, gaining insights into the lives and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians; - develop an appreciation for the rich culture, art, and language of ancient Egypt. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - undertake a close reading of inscriptions and inscribed monuments; - sharpen their powers of observation and eye for detail; - link, without confusing, textual and material evidence thereby gaining a holistic view of past societies in Ancient Egypt. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Collier, Mark, and Manley, Bill (1998) How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Step-By-Step Guide to Teach Yourself, revised edition, Berkeley/Los Angeles: University of California Press. - Manley, Bill (2012) Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners, London/New York: Thames & Hudson. - Wilson, Penelope (2003) Hieroglyphs: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Supplementary Readings: - Ikram, Salima (2009) Ancient Egypt: An Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Shaw, Ian (2021) Ancient Egypt: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press. The above is a sample list of bibliographic items. The lecturer will provide a more detailed bibliography in class and on VLE. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | |||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Abigail Zammit |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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