Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university

Learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

• diachronically assess religious texts and practices transmitted through different media
• understand the content and interdependencies of different text corpora
• describe and interpret religious feasts and their interconnection to agricultural and cosmic cycles

Content

Religion was an integral part of ancient Egyptian life and society. The course provides an in-depth analysis of religious practices from late Prehistory until Roman times. These practices include feasts, which formed an essential part of cultural cohesion. In addition, the course includes an in-depth examination of the evolution of religious texts from simple offering formulae to complex compositions, such as the Pyramid- and Coffin Texts, the Book of the Dead, Netherworld books and hymns and prayers. Royal and non-royal everyday religious practices will be analysed in context. Similarly, objects (e.g. stelae, sarcophagi, canopic and other burial equipment) and their particular function(s) are central for understanding ancient Egyptian religion. Meaning and function with a special focus on the audience(s) will be discused throughout the course.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, preparatory reading with class discussions and group works in class. Individual presentation of work on selected texts and media and class discussion led by the module organiser. All teaching is given in English.

Assessment

Assessment for the course takes the form of written home assignment of a selected topic or by an written exam. In special cases an examiner may make and exception from the standard method of assessment and allow a student to be assessed in some alternative way. An example of a special case might be if a student produces a certificate for special pedagogic support from the University's disability coordinator.