Introduction to Egyptian Hieroglyphs

4 credits · Undergraduate

This course introduces the fundamentals of the language and hieroglyphic script of Middle Egyptian used to write stories, poems, biographies and letters, magical spells, and eye-witness accounts of historical events from thousands of years ago. The study of this ancient language enables students to read the classics of Egyptian literature and understand the emergence and development of one of the world’s oldest writing systems, and the laws, customs, social structures, and religious beliefs of the ancient people of the Nile Valley. Lectures present the grammar and writing; much of the in-class time is devoted to the translating and close reading of texts, with a discussion of their cultural and historical context and meaning.