Workers’ Educational Association
The UK’s largest voluntary sector provider of adult learning
Course Outline
This course outline describes what will be covered in your course.
It also sets out what you should expect to learn. There will be an opportunity for course
members to discuss the course content with the tutor.
Course Title
An Introduction to Ancient Egypt
Course ID
C3732833
Tutor
Start date
11/1/13
Day(s)/time(s)
No. of sessions
8
Hours per session
John Billman
Fri 10.00
2.25
Fees
£71.10
Venue: The Ambrose Allen Centre, Tadley
Branch/Partner
Tadley Branch
Branch/Partner
contact details
Jan Smith 0118 9832251
jancsmith@btopenworld.com
Publicity Description
This course will trace the emergence of dynastic Egypt, look at the development of the
iconic Giza pyramids and who built them, journey through the cultural peak of the Middle
Kingdom and on to the Egypt of Tutankhamun and Ramesses the Great in the New
Kingdom.
Course Aims
This course aims to introduce the history, religion, daily life, monumental architecture and
writings of the ancient Egyptians, to explore the fundamentals of their history and society
and discover why their civilization was so successful.
Main Topics Covered
The programme will combine a chronological presentation of ancient Egyptian history and
development with exploration of specific thematic elements. We will trace the emergence
of the Egyptian civilization and the formation of the Egyptian State through to the end of
empire with the collapse of the New Kingdom. Thematically we will cover Egyptian writing,
art, religion and artefacts.
Pre-course preparation, reading, internet research etc.
No prior experience is required or assumed, however learners will gain most from the
course if they have been able to do some pre-reading or if they are able to spare time for a
private study between classes.
There are many introductory texts to Egyptology which will be suitable, Bard (listed below)
is particularly recommended. A visit to the Egypt galleries in the Ashmolean or British
Museum can be very valuable, and while some online resources should be treated with
caution the internet contains a plethora of useful starting points in the subject including:
www.touregypt.net A basic overview of history and especially sites of Ancient Egypt
http://www.osirisnet.net/ Particularly strong on sites
See also Wikipedia for general information and the websites of museums such as the
British Museum and Petrie Museum for illustrations of artefacts in their collections
TITLE
AUTHOR
PUBLISHER
Egypt
Davies and Friedman
Introduction to the Archaeology
Kathryn Bard
of Ancient Egypt
British Museum Dictionary of
Shaw and Nicolson
Ancient Egypt
Essential costs/materials
A pen/paper is all that is required for materials
Entry Requirements/Level
British Museum Press
Blackwell
British Museum Press
There is no requirement for prior knowledge of Egyptology, however the course will be
taught at level 3 and learners should be comfortable with studying an academic historical
subject. Any previous experience of archaeology, ancient history or Egyptology will of
course be very valuable.
Teaching and learning methods used
Teaching will primarily be by well-illustrated presentations, with on-going interaction and
discussion, supplemented by individual or group activities.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course learners will be able to:
1. Describe the nature and importance of the relationship between the Egyptian civilization
and its physical environment
2. List selected major periods and events in ancient Egyptian history
3. Explain how Egyptian religion manifests itself in monuments and material culture
4. Identify and describe at least three common ancient Egyptian artefacts
5. Read together with a sign list a king’s name in a cartouche
How do you know you are learning?
There will no formal examinations or tests. The tutor will provide feedback on an informal
on-going basis, learners will have the opportunity (but not requirement) to prepare a brief
presentation during the course, there will be a brief midterm review in week 5 and final
feedback will be provided in week 8.
Suggested Further Study and Progression Routes
This course is designed both for standalone learning and to facilitate progression to other
WEA courses and to lectures and courses run by the Thames Valley Ancient Egypt
Society. Learners may also wish to progress to accredited courses at University College
London, and elsewhere or to distance learning courses with the University of Manchester
and others.
Brief tutor profile
John Billman combines teaching Egyptology for the WEA with his role as chairman of the
Thames Valley Ancient Egypt Society (TVAES), chairman of the South Asasif
Conservation trust, a mission member of the South Asasif Conservation Project and
postgraduate studies at University College London. For further information about TVAES
Egyptology activities in Reading visit the website: www.tvaes.org.uk
If you would like more information about other WEA courses, please contact
WEA London and Southern Regions’ Support Centre.
You can now enrol and pay online. Go to: www.wea.org.uk
S:\WEAMISdata\SR\Outlines\c3732833_outline.docx
Services for Learners contains information about support and progression opportunities for
learners and will be made available to you when you start your course. However, if you
The WEA is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive learning.
WEA London and Southern Regions' Support Centre
57 Riverside 2, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Rochester, Kent ME2 4DP
Tel: 01634 298600 Fax: 01634 298601 email: london&southernrsc@wea.org.uk
The Workers' Educational Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (number 1112775) and in
Scotland (number SC039239) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 2806910)
would like to receive a copy before the start of your course, please telephone the learner
enquiry, freephone line on 0800 328 1060.
The WEA is committed to equality of opportunity and inclusive learning.
WEA London and Southern Regions' Support Centre
57 Riverside 2, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Rochester, Kent ME2 4DP
Tel: 01634 298600 Fax: 01634 298601 email: london&southernrsc@wea.org.uk
The Workers' Educational Association is a charity registered in England and Wales (number 1112775) and in
Scotland (number SC039239) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (number 2806910)