To develop critical and communicative skills through focus on the analysis of original primary sources (archaeological, iconographic and textual) relevant to a reconstruction of the social and religious life of pharaonic Egypt;

To develop research agenda for the analysis and description of the reality of cultural differences between different societies, ancient and modern;

To advance writing skills for the presentation of research issues.

(LO1) The student will attain a knowledge of relevant primary data, and theoretical approaches to the study of ancient Egyptian society, appropriate for independent research, and the skills to communicate that knowledge and understanding in clearly constructed writing.

(LO2) The student will develop skills in collecting and ordering primary research data, identification of appropriate research agenda within an extensive knowledge base, and within theoretical frames, presentation of a research paper with well-defined agenda

(LO3) The student will develop an understanding of the processes of building a coherent and critical use of sources towards an independent, evidence-based understanding of ancient society.

(LO4) The student will develop communication of that independence of understanding in a coherent form.

(S1) Improving own learning / performance - reflective practice

(S2) Research skills - all information skills

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - presentation skills - written

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - problem identification

(S5) Critical thinking and problem solving - evaluation

(S6) Global citizenship - cultural awareness

(S7) Personal attributes and qualities - initiative

Seminar:
A weekly seminar will provide advanced discussion of research approaches to individual topics, research methodology for the collection, organisation and presentation of primary data and discussion of theoretical approaches, targeting theoretical and methodological issues in relation to the core resources. Students prepare in advance through a reading programme.

Depending on prior experience, students may be expected audit the lectures for ALGY377 the UG module on Social Life in Ancient Egypt in order to deepen background knowledge.

Specific themes will be addressed based on evaluating the surviving primary evidence and the evaluation of relevant theoretical frameworks. Sample themes include (but are not necessarily restricted to):

Social structures;

Hierarchies and relationships;

Social interaction;

Social language;

Agency and identity;

Economy and law.

Specific content information can be found on VITAL.