Egyptology Diploma

Module 1. The Land and People
This module introduces the Egyptology Diploma course and presents the land of Egypt, its peoples and the aspects of Egyptology that will be encountered during the course. The module sets the scene for the historical modules to follow and discusses Egyptology and the chronology of ancient Egypt; the Geography of Modern and Ancient Egypt; the River Nile, the Delta and the Faiyum; Egypt's Ecology and Environment; the natural resources exploited by the ancient Egyptians; the location of ancient towns, cities and archaeological sites that have been found along the Nile Valley, as well as the various different peoples who have lived there. Finally, the model briefly explores the legacy of ancient Egypt's heritage for us all.

Module 2. A History of Egyptology
The second module focuses on the history of exploration and research in Egypt. Within this module the student is taken on a journey through the early exploration of Egypt and the attitudes and interpretation of Egypt's ancient ruins during the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The module discusses the French expedition to Egypt in 1798 and the birth of the discipline of Egyptology and considers the exploits of some of the nineteenth century adventurers, before discussing the development of modern Egyptology from Flinders Petrie to Zahi Hawass. The module completes with a brief assessment of techniques and methods in Egyptology that are applied in the field and the laboratory.

Module 3. The Predynastic Period
This module is the first of four that present the history of ancient Egypt. This module is concerned with the earliest period of ancient Egyptian history, the Predynastic. The module explores the pre-Neolithic period and the earliest settlement of the Nile Valley and the evidence for the first farming communities in Egypt. The module then looks at the important early cultures of the Egyptian Neolithic: the Badarian and Naqada and the emergence of the unified Egyptian state and the origin of Dynastic rule. Important early Dynastic artefacts including the Macehead of king Scorpion and the Narmer Palette and Macehead are introduced and discussed along with the earliest Dynasties: Dynasty 1 and 2, the important historic sites of Hierakonpolis, Abydos and Saqqara and Predynastic and early dynastic inventions of writing, crafts, kingship, art and architecture.

Module 4. The Old Kingdom Period
Module 4 considers one of the most famous periods in the ancient Egyptian history, the Old Kingdom. The module present the chronology of the Old Kingdom before discussing the Pyramid complexes at Saqqara and Giza and the development of the pyramids through the 5th and 6th Dynasties. The cult of kingship in Egypt is explored and religious, economic and social changes during the Old Kingdom period considered. Finally, the module explores the decline of the Old Kingdom and the first of ancient Egypt's 'Dark Ages' the First Intermediate Period and the rise of the Theban kings and the reunification of Egypt at this time.

Module 5. The Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period
The Middle Kingdom was a period of renewal for Egypt and is discussed in Module 5. The module explores the achievements of the period and the reigns of its many kings. The module begins with a consideration of the 11th Dynasty and the reuniting of Upper and Lower Egypt and the reigns of the important kings Mentuhotep II and III. This is followed by discussion of the 12th Dynasty during which a new royal residence was created at Itjtawy. The module also discusses the life and career of King Senusret I and the rebirth of Pyramid building and introduces the student to the important historic documents known as the letters of Hekanakhte. The reign of King Senusret III and his campaigns in the Near East; Egyptian renaissance under king Amenemhat III and the 13th Dynasty and the second collapse of the ancient Egyptian state and the Second intermediate period, another 'Dark Age' period in Egypt's history, when Egypt struggled with the Hyksos are also explored within this module.

Module 6. The New Kingdom
This module presents the period of Egypt's renaissance known as the New Kingdom. This was an era in which many of them ore famous and better known Pharaohs lived and ruled in Egypt. The module opens with a discussion of Ahmose, Amenhotep I and the emergence of the Valley of the Kings. It follows the course of New Kingdom history through the reigns of Thutmose I-III, who hunted the Mitanni and elephants; Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt's most famous Queens; Amenhotep II, Thutmose IV and Amenhotep III; Amenhotep IV/ Akhenaten and the Amarna Period, when Egypt's religions were rocked to their core; the boy-king Tutankhamun, and the scheming of Ay and Horemheb, before introducing the 19th Dynasty and the great Pharaohs Sety I and Ramses II. The module ends with a discussion of the decline of ancient Egypt under the later Ramessid kings during Egypt's 20th Dynasty.

Module 7. The Third Intermediate Period and Late Period
Module 7 concludes the chronological history of ancient Egypt and incorporates the last of Egypt's 'Dark Ages' discussing the Third Intermediate Period and the evidence and developments of Egypt's 21st, 22nd and 23rd dynasties. The module then explores the Late Period and Persian rule in Egypt during the First and Second Persian invasions, before the arrival of Alexander the Great and the Macedonians. The module discusses the Ptolemaic Period and introduces the famous ancient city of Alexandria, and ends with the brief reign of Queen Cleopatra, her affair with Mark Anthony and the end of ancient Egypt with its annexation by Rome.

Module 8. Daily Life in Ancient Egypt
This module explores what daily life was like in ancient Egypt through a series of case studies and references to archaeology and ancient Egyptian texts, tomb-paintings and artefacts. The subjects covered in the module include the important role of River Nile in Egypt and food production along its fertile banks; including a discussion of some Nile myths and some of the major Egyptian deities. The module also considers the role of the king in Egypt; the importance of scribes, what their lives were like and presents some of the records they made of life in ancient Egypt. The lives and activities of Egypt's artisans, tomb-painters and other trades is explored and finally death in ancient Egypt and the process of mummification, which were a very important aspect of Egyptian civilization are analysed.

Module 9. Ancient Egyptian Achievement
Module 9 considers the legacy of ancient Egypt and the great achievements of its craftsmen, architects and engineers. The module explores ancient Egyptian achievement through reference to the Pyramid Complexes of Giza and Saqqara; the craft skills of ancient Egyptian potters and metal smiths; The Temple of Karnak on the banks of the River Nile at Thebes; the craft skills of ancient Egyptian artisans in stone and wood and Ramses II's temple at Abu Simbel, which was the focus of international rescue efforts during the construction of the Aswan Dam.

Module 10. Research in Egyptology
The final module of the Egyptology Diploma course considers aspects of Egyptian history and future opportunities for research in Egyptology. The module looks at questions in Egyptology, and considers the ancient Egyptian's own perceptions of history and time, as well as their relationships with the outside world. The module then goes on to a present some of the developments in Egyptology that have been made over the years, the application of scientific techniques, research topics and outstanding questions. Finally, the module details current research centres and Universities who are engaged in Egyptology, as well as museums around the world which hold important Egyptian collections and websites that can be used for further exploration of ancient Egypt and Egyptology. Module 10 also provides 10 dissertation topics for the students on which to write a 5000 word assignment about various aspects of ancient Egypt and Egyptology.