Perception of Places Past and Present from Egypt to Mesopotamia: Archaeology and Virtual Reality

The landscapes and built environments that surround us are not merely silent, neutral backgrounds for objects and events. Instead, they can be viewed as agents that create multiple layers of meaning: they embody previous human and non-human experiences, political beliefs, cultural values, and emotional attachments. Peeling back these spatial-temporal layers can enhance our understanding and appreciation of the world around us on both macro- and micro-scales. Using the monuments and places of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as touchstones, this course will explore the concept of perceiving and comprehending places—ancient and modern, real and virtual—from archaeological, anthropological, historical, and philosophical perspectives. Students will hone their writing skills through analytical papers and creative writing that will reflect on academic works, museum collections, and popular media. No prerequisites.