THE ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY OF ANCIENT EGYPT
(ARST 210; AAST 210; AH 210)
TR 9:30-10:45, SH 220
Fall 2011
Dr. Jennifer Tobin
jtobin@uic.edu
Office Hours: TR 11:00-12:00
(and by appointment)
UH 1814
COURSE DESCRIPTION
In this course you will study the art, architecture, history and religion of Ancient Egypt, from its origins in
Predynastic times in the 4th millennium BCE through the end of the New Kingdom in 1000 BCE. You will
learn what elements unified the nation and made it the foremost society in antiquity, and what pressures
ultimately destroyed it. In between you will study such topics as how the pyramids were built, why
Hatshepsut, a female pharaoh, dressed like a man, and what really killed King Tut. The ultimate goal of this
class is to train you to think like an archaeologist, to use assessment tools to understand how and why
artifacts and architecture were created and what role they played in Egyptian society. Ideally you will leave
this course with a deep appreciation of the achievements and challenges of the ancient Egyptians; in
essence you will have learned to think like an Egyptian.
TEXTBOOKS: Available at the UIC Bookstore under Archaeological Studies 210 or Art History 210
Clayton, P., Chronicle of the Pharaohs. The Reign by Reign Record of the Rulers and Dynasties of
Ancient Egypt, Thames and Hudson, 1994
Robins, G., The Art of Ancient Egypt, Revised Edition, Harvard University Press, 2008
SUPPLEMENTARY READING: Found on Blackboard under Course Documents
Hobson, C., The World of the Pharaohs. A Complete Guide to Ancient Egypt, Thames and
Hudson, 1991
COURSEWORK
1) Readings: readings are due on the day they are listed in the syllabus. Reading about the topic in
advance will allow you a greater familiarity with the material before it is presented formally in class.
Typically the readings consist of one chapter a week in each of our textbooks, or approximately 30
to 40 pages of text and illustrations.
2) Lectures/discussions: classes are taught in a slide lecture format. You are encouraged to
generate discussions based on readings, lectures and observing material in class. This course has
a Blackboard site, where you can find additional reading assignments, your grades and
announcements (http://blackboard.uic.edu/). You will also find the images for upcoming lectures
posted on this site. You are encouraged to download these and bring them to class.
3) Class Participation: 10% of your grade is based on attendance and participation in class
discussion.
4) Quizzes: approximately 10 quizzes will be given over the semester, out of which the lowest two will
be dropped. The quizzes cannot be made up, thus if you are absent or late on the day of a quiz,
that quiz can be counted as one of the two dropped.
5) Exams: Two 75-minute exams will be given, with a third 75-minute exam (non-cumulative) to take
place during exam week. The format for these exams will be slide identification, short ID and
essay. Make-up exams will be given only if an exam is missed due to an EMERGENCY, and
documentation must be submitted to me within 24 hours of the exam. If no documentation is
provided you will receive a zero for the exam. Questions about how to interpret midterm grades
can be found at: http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/oaa/advising/student_midterm.html.
6) Papers: You will write two 2 to 3 – page papers based on a visit to the Egyptian collection of the
Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Details to follow. The first paper is due in class
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18 and the second is due in class THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29. A
drop of one grade per day will penalize late papers. Students taking this course for Honors Credit
are required to write an 8 to 10-page research paper. Students must clear their topic with me and
present me with an outline of their papers at the latest on THURSDAY, November 15. The paper
will be due in class on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29. No papers will be accepted after TUESDAY
DECEMBER 4.
GRADING
10%
20%
20%
Quizzes
Papers
Exam 2
10%
20%
20%
Class Participation
Exam 1
Exam 3
Please note: Standard grading systems will be used and you will not be graded on a curve.
A: 100-89.5, B: 89.4-79.5, C: 79.4-69.5, D: 69.4-59.5, F: 59.4-0
INTEGRITY
As an academic community, UIC is committed to providing an environment in which research, learning, and
scholarship can flourish and in which all endeavors are guided by academic and professional integrity. All
members of the campus community–students, staff, faculty, and administrators–share the responsibility of
insuring that these standards are upheld so that such an environment exists. Instances of academic
misconduct by students will be handled pursuant to the Student Disciplinary Policy:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/dos/studentconduct.html
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
UIC is committed to the most fundamental principles of academic freedom, equality of opportunity, and
human dignity involving students and employees. Freedom from discrimination is a foundation for all
decision making at UIC. You as students are encouraged to study the University's “Nondiscrimination
Statement”. You are also urged to read the document “Public Formal Grievance Procedures”. Information
on these policies and procedures is available on the University web pages of the Office of Access and
Equity: www.uic.edu/depts/oae.
IMPORTANT DUE DATES
Exam 1: September 25
Exam 2: November 1
Exam 3: December 12
Paper 1: October 18
Paper 2: November 29
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS
Please let me know as soon as possible if you will be missing class due to a religious holiday. Your
absence will not be counted against you.
http://www.uic.edu/depts/oae/docs/ReligiousHolidaysFY20122014.pdf
ACADEMIC DEADLINES
http://grad.uic.edu/cms/?pid=1000222
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY AND COURTESY
1) Attendance is required. Because I will show you approximately 50 slides in a day and cover
material that is not always found in the textbooks, it is in your best interests to attend class
regularly. I will take role at the beginning of each class. Missing a class due to illness or other
unforeseen circumstances will receive no penalty as long as the absence is supported by
documentation (i.e. a doctor’s note or other official record). I will penalize five or more unexcused
absences by dropping your final grade by ten points (the equivalent of a full grade).
2) Please arrive in class on time so as not to disturb your classmates. Similarly, if on occasion you
must leave class early, please inform me before the beginning of class, and, as a courtesy to your
fellow students, try to sit near the aisle in the classroom so that you can slip out quietly.
3) Please turn off you cell phones before the beginning of class. No recording devises or computers
are allowed during lecture without a letter from Disability Services.
DISABILITY SERVICES NOTIFICATION
Concerning disabled students, the University of Illinois at Chicago is committed to maintaining a barrier-free
environment so that individuals with disabilities can fully access programs, courses, services, and activities
at UIC. Students with disabilities who require accommodations for full access and participation in UIC
Programs must be registered with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). Please contact DRC at (312) 4132183 (voice) or (312) 413- 0123 (TDD).
RESOURCES
If you find yourself having difficulty with the course material or any other difficulties in your student life, don’t
hesitate to ask for help! Come to me, or if it is about an issue beyond this class, please contact your college
advisors, or get help from any number of other support services on campus. You can get a referral to the
right place, or help on the spot, from a concerned advisor in the Undergraduate Success Center (USC) at
usc@uic.edu. See also the following resources:
The Writing Center, located in Grant Hall 105, offers one-on-one consultation with student writers who
need help developing ideas, or need advice, guidance or additional instruction on any aspects of writing in
any class. Tutors are prepared to spend fifty minutes per appointment, and there is no limit to the number of
tutoring sessions you can have each semester. Make an appointment and be on time! Bring the paper on
which you're working, as well as any related drafts or notes, and information about the assignment. For an
appointment, call the Writing Center at (312) 413-2206, or stop by room 105 of Grant Hall. Visit the Writing
Center website at www.uic.edu/depts/engl/writing for more information.
Public Computer Labs are available throughout campus where you may write and/or print out your work.
For a list of labs and the hours they’re open, go to <www.accc.uic.edu/pclabs>. NOTE: Do not wait until the
last minute to print out papers. Sometimes labs have long lines of students waiting for access.
The Academic Center for Excellence can help if you feel you need more individualized instruction in
reading and/or writing; study skills, time management, etc. phone (312) 413-0031.
Counseling Services are available for all UIC students. You may seek free and confidential services from
the Counseling Center <www.counseling.uic.edu>. The Counseling Center is located in the Student
Services Building; you may contact them at (312) 996-3490. In addition to offering counseling services, the
Counseling Center also operates the InTouch Crisis Hotline from 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. They offer support
and referrals to callers, as well as telephone crisis interventions; please call (312) 996-5535.
CAMPUS SECURITY
At UIC, we are strongly committed to our public safety programs, and we encourage students to be
proactive in learning what programs and services are available in case of an emergency. You are
DISCOURAGED from staying in university buildings alone, including lab rooms, after hours and are
ENCOURAGED to use the POLICE/STUDENT patrol escort if you are uncomfortable traveling anywhere on
campus. You may request an escort to accompany you to your campus destination on foot by calling 312996-2830, and between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am you can dial the Red Car service (312-996-6800) if you are
alone and need to leave the building. Through Red Car, the university has established a safe evening
transportation service for university employees, students, visitors, and other authorized individuals. The car
travels between university facilities within the following general boundaries: Clinton Street on the east;
Western Avenue on the west; Jackson Boulevard on the north, and 16th on the south. This service is
available only to individuals possessing a valid UIC i-card. The i-card is required to ensure the safety of the
driver and other passengers. Consult the following for more information:
http://www.uic.edu/uic/studentlife/campus/safety.shtml
Also you can subscribe your cell phone to receive text message alerts. An immediate SMS text alert will be
sent in case of a serious crime in progress, a weather emergency, or other urgent situation.
(http://sms.accc.uic.edu). Finally, by dialing 5-5555 from a campus phone, you can summon Police or Fire
for any on-campus emergency. You may also set up the complete number, 1-312-355-5555, on speed-dial
on your cell phone. For more information contact:
http://www.uic.edu/uic/studentlife/campus/emergency-information.shtml
LECTURE TOPICS AND READINGS
WEEK 1
Aug 28
Aug 30
Introduction to the class, Geography of Egypt, Chronology
Predynastic Egypt
Readings: Robins 12-36, Clayton 6-13
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 2
Sept 4-6
Dynasties 1 and 2
Readings: Robins 36-39, Clayton 14-29
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 3
Sept 11-13
The Old Kingdom – 3rd Dynasty
Readings: Robins 40-45, Clayton 30-41
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 4
Sept 18-20
The Old Kingdom – 4th Dynasty
Readings: Robins 45-57, Clayton 42-59
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 5
Sept 25
EXAM 1
Sept 27
The Old Kingdom – 5th and 6th Dynasties
Readings: Robins 58-79, Clayton 60-67
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 6
Oct 2-4
The Old Kingdom – 5th and 6th Dynasties Continued
Readings: as above
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 7
Oct 9-11
The First Intermediate Period and The Middle Kingdom
Readings: Robins 80-121, Clayton 68-89
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 8
Oct 16
The Middle Kingdom and the Second Intermediate Period
Readings: as above and Clayton 90-97
Oct 18
Egyptian Writing
Reading: Hobson 156-165
PAPER 1 DUE IN CLASS
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 9
Oct 23-25
The New Kingdom - Early 18th Dynasty
Readings: Robins 122-147, Clayton 98-119
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 10
Oct 30
Religion and Temples
Reading: Hobson 128-139
Nov 1
EXAM 2
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 11
Nov 6-8
The New Kingdom – Akhenaten
Readings: Robins 148-157, Clayton 120-127
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 12
Nov 13-15
The New Kingdom – Tutankhamun, Aye and Horemheb
Readings: Robins 158-165, Clayton 128-139
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 13
Nov 20
The New Kingdom – 19th Dynasty
Readings: Robins 166-193, Clayton 140-159
Nov 22
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 14
Nov 27
The New Kingdom – 20th Dynasty
Readings: Robins as above, Clayton 160-171
Nov 29
Mummification
Reading: Hobson 152-155
PAPER 2 DUE IN CLASS
HONORS PAPER DUE IN CLASS
______________________________________________________________________________________
WEEK 15
Dec 4
The Third Intermediate Period
Robins 194-209, Clayton 172-189
Dec 6
The Late Period
Robins 209-255, Clayton 190-217
______________________________________________________________________________________
FINAL EXAM: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12, 10:30-12:30