Language and Culture in Ancient Egypt
Code: 104219Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Studies | OP | 3 |
| Ancient Studies | OP | 4 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Jose Lull García
- Email :
- jose.lull@uab.cat
Teaching staff
- Marc Orriols Llonch
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites.
Objectives
The general objectives of the subject are that the student:
1) Know the different writing systems that were used in Egypt over time.
2) Deepen his/her knowledge of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing: decipherment and functioning.
3) Learn the grammar of Middle Egyptian and be able to read fragments of basic literary and epigraphic texts.
4) Know the written production of ancient Egypt, especially literary and religious, in its historical and cultural context.
Learning outcomes
- Submitting works in accordance with both individual and small group demands and personal styles.
- Preparing an oral and written discourse in the corresponding language in a proper and organized way.
- Relate the history and culture of the non-Indo-European ancient civilisations to the Greek civilisation and the Roman civilisation.
- Describe the main historical and social features of the Egyptian, Sumerian, Acadian, Persian and Mycenaean cultures.
- Draw historical-social conclusions based on a reading of simple documents written in the ancient non-Indo-European languages.
Contents
1. The Egyptian language: origins and history.
2. Egyptian scripts: hieroglyphic, hieratic, demotic and coptic.
3. Champollion and the decipherment of the Egyptian hieroglyphic script.
4. Ancient Egyptian religious texts in their historical and cultural context: from the Pyramid Texts to the Book of the Dead.
5. Egyptian literature in its historical and cultural context: narrative, poetry, and sapiential texts.
6. Introduction to Egyptian hieroglyphic writing: signs and reading.
7. Introduction to Middle Egyptian grammar: elements of morphosyntax.
8. Translation and commentary of fragments of basic literary and epigraphic texts.
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theoretical classes with the support of ICT | 20 | 0.8 | 3, 4 |
| Exams | 4 | 0.16 | 2, 3, 4 |
| Personal study and work by the student | 60 | 2.4 | 3, 4 |
| Practical classes on reading, translation, and analysis of texts | 20 | 0.8 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Works | 21 | 0.84 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
The subject involves three types of formative activities:
1) Directed activities: theoretical and practical classes and exams.
2) Supervised activities: activities of translation, grammatical analysis, and commentary of texts and possible presentations and thematic seminars in class.
3) Autonomous activities: study, readings, completion of exercises and courseworks, preparation of speeches and presentations in class, preparation for exams.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First exam | 35% | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 4 |
| A work on a literary text. | 30% | 21 | 0.84 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| Second exam | 35% | 2 | 0.08 | 2, 3, 4 |
The evaluation will consist of three types of activities:
1) Two exams.
2) A work on a literary text.
In the event that some of these activities cannot be taken onsite for sanitary reasons, they will be adapted to an online format made available through the UAB’s virtual tools (original weighting will be maintained). Homework, activities and class participation will be carried out through forums, wikis and/or discussion on Teams, etc. Lecturers will ensure that students are able to access these virtual tools, or will offer them feasible alternatives.
As regards the procedure for the review of qualifications, on carrying out each evaluation activity, lecturers will inform students (on Moodle) of the procedures to be followed for reviewing all grades awarded, and the date on which such a review will take place.
Students will obtain a “Not assessed/Not submitted” course grade unless they have submitted more than 30% of the assessment items. To participate in the recovery exam, students must have been previously evaluated in a set of activities, the weight of which is equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 of the total grade.
As far as the make-up process is concerned, only the exams can be made up, on the date set by the Faculty. There will be only a single exam.
In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.
Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.
Useof AI
This subject entirely prohibits the use of AI technologies in all of its activities. Any submitted work that contains content generated using AI will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade will be awarded a zero, without the possibility of reassessment. In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.
This subject does NOT incorporate single assessment.
Bibliography
GENERAL
Adkins, Lesley; Adkins, Roy. 2000. The Keys of Egypt. The Race to Read the Hieroglyphs. London: Harper-Collins (trad. esp. 2000. Las claves de Egipto. La carrera por leer los jeroglíficos. Madrid: Debate).
Allen, James P. 2015. Middle Egyptian Literature. Eight Literary Works of the Middle Kingdom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Cervelló Autuori, Josep. 20162. Escrituras, lengua y cultura en el antiguo Egipto (El Espejo y la Lámpara 11). Bellaterra: Publicacions de la UAB.
Galán, José Manuel. 1998. Cuatro viajes en la literatura del antiguo Egipto. Madrid: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.
Lloyd, Alan B. (ed.) 2010. A Companion to Ancient Egypt. 2 vols. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Part V: Language and Literature. Vol. II: 639-778.
López, Jesús 2005. Cuentos y fábulas del antiguo Egipto (Pliegos de Oriente 9). Madrid-Barcelona: Trotta-Publicacions i edicions de la Universitat de Barcelona.
Loprieno, Antonio. 1996. Ancient Egyptian Literature. History and Forms (Probleme der Ägyptologie 10). Leiden: E.J. Brill.
Parkinson, Richard B. 1991. Voices from Ancient Egypt. An Anthology of Middle Kingdom Writings. London: British Museum Press.
Parkinson, Richard B. 1997. The Tale of Sinuhe and Other Ancient Egyptian Poems. 1940-1640 BC. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Parkinson, Richard B. 1999. Cracking Codes: The Rosetta Stone and Decipherment. Berkeley-Los Angeles: University of California Press.
Parkinson, Richard B. 2002. Poetry and Culture in Middle Kingdom Egypt. A Dark Side to Perfection. London-New York: Continuum.
GRAMMARS AND METHODS
Allen, James P. 20001, 20143. Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Allen, James P. 2024. Egipcio jeroglífico: Introducción a la escritura y cultura del antiguo Egipto. Barcelona: Erasmus [Trans. Allen, James P. , Middle Egyptian]
Collier, Marc.; Manley, Bill. 1998. How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs. London: The British Museum Press (Spanish transl. 2000. Introducción a los jeroglíficos egipcios. Madrid: Alianza).
Manley, Bill. 2012. Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Complete Beginners. London: Thames & Hudson.
DICTIONARIES
Faulkner, Raymond O. 1962. A Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian. Oxford: Griffith Institute.
Hannig, Rainer. 19971, 20064. Die Sprache der Pharaonen. Groes Handwörterbuch Ägyptisch-Deutsch (2800-950 v.Chr.) (Kulturgeschichte der Antiken Welt 64). Mainz: Philipp von Zabern.
Hannig, Rainer. 1999, Wortschatz der Pharaonen in Sachgruppen: Kulturhandbuch Ägyptens. Mainz: Philipp von Zabern.
Thesaurus Lingua Aegyptia. https://aaew.bbaw.de/tla/servlet/TlaLogin
Vocabulaire de l'Égyptien Ancien (VÉgA).: http://www.vega-vocabulaire-egyptien-ancien.fr/en/welcome-page/
How to cite and create your bibliography:
How to cite and create your bibliography - Libraries - UAB Barcelona
Software
JSesh, software for writing hieroglyphs.
It can be downloaded free of charge from: https://jsesh.qenherkhopeshef.org/
Course groups and languages
The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE
| Type of teaching | Group | Language | Semester | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |