HTY 199-0002: Problems in History: Ancient Egypt and the Near East
Instructor: Joshua Walton
Days/Time: MWF 12-12:50pm
Location: S365
Course Number: 44595
Description: A survey of the history of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt from the Neolithic through the Persian Empire. This course will cover the “rise of civilization,” investigating key moments in human history from the agricultural revolution to the invention of writing, to the emergence of Empires. We will investigate the cultures behind well-known artifacts, persons, and monuments, such as the Great Pyramids, the tomb of Tutankahmun, the Law Code of Hammurabi, and the Epic of Gilgamesh. We will combine archaeology and primary texts in order to explore the literature, religion, belief systems, political structures, social norms, and economic structures of the ancient world. Along the way we will gain a better understanding of our own world and the continued relevance of these cultures in modern contexts while examining ethical questions surrounding museums, looting, the antiquities trade, and the preservation and conservation of the past.
General Education Requirements: This course does not satisfy any of the General Education requirements.