Module Summary

Each Module in this course acts as a distinct unit containing lectures, readings, films, and other materials that you will study. You will then complete the Module Quiz. Quiz dates (availability) are given on the Calendar. These are also several discussion opportunities available for each module.

Module #1

Our first module begins with pre-history: the evolution of homo sapiens, ancient cave paintings, the beginnings of agriculture, the first villages, and the beginnings of a unified Egypt. There are three lectures in this module: Cro-Magnon, Early Villages, and Pre-dynastic Egypt. The readings include: Fixing the Millennium, The Birth of Art: When We Arrived, High Tech Digging, and "Egyptian Literature: Egyptology and Pseudoscience."

In order to understand HUMAN civilization, we must first ask what it means to be human. The latest answers to that question can be found in a recent NOVA (PBS) program called "Becoming Human" and we will view excerpts in this first module. (A copy of the entire 3-film series is available on reserve at Merill-Cazier Library).

Module #2

Next we delve into the early history of Egypt, studying the period known as the Old Kingdom. This is the Egypt everyone knows: the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the great Pharaohs. The two lectures are Early Old Kingdom and Late Old Kingdom. The readings include several excellent National Geographic and other popular press articles. We will explore hieroglyphs, read experts from ancient Egyptian moral and political texts, and view one film: "Pyramids and Cities of the Pharaohs I."

Module #3

Often called the "Cradle of Civilization," Mesopotamia and its many empires and peoples are the next stop on our journey: Sumer, Babylon, Akkadians, Assyrians and Persians.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the foundation stones of world literature originated here; which brings us to the second topic of this module, the Origins of Writing. We will look at the precursors to writing, pictographs, cuneiform, and areas where writing was first employed. We will also examine childhood placed in context of the past.

There are three lectures: Mesopotamia, The Origins of Writing, and Childhood in the Past. There is one film, "Return to Eden," and some excellent readings in this module. Readings include several National Geographic articles with beautiful photographs.

Module #4

We now return to Egypt. Our three lectures are: The Middle Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, and Egyptian Daily Life. Readings include two articles on Egyptian beverages, beer and wine. We will also read excerpts from Egyptian sacred texts, view one film: "Pyramids and Cities of the Pharaohs II."

Module #5

We continue with the history of Egypt, examining Egyptian Religion, the Amarna period, and Ramses the Great. Readings include: Ramses the Great, Valley of the Kings, Egypt Routs Foes From the Sea, and "Egyptian Literature: Sacred Texts."

Module #6

This is our last module focusing on Egypt. The two lectures are: After the New Kingdom and Tombs. The first gives a glimpse of a very different Egypt, an Egypt ruled by foreigners, Lybians, Nubians and the Ptolomies, and Rome. The Tombs lecture is complimented by recent articles: Disease in Ancient Egypt, Dental health in ancient Egypt, and Conversations with Mummies. We will also watch the film "King Tut's Final Secrets."

Module #7

This module contains three lectures and three films focusing on the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. The lectures are: The Greek Temple, Roman Life, and Colonial Rome. The films compliment the lectures and allow you an opportunity to step into this time period: "Athens and Ancient Rome", "Rome and Pompeii", and "Rome: the Ultimate Empire."

Module #8

Here we look at two very different civilizations: Bronze Age China and the Mayans. These two lectures are each paired with an excellent film that expands upon the material covered in the lecture and readings. We will also examine Christian/Muslim Egypt.

We conclude with an article titled "Ghosts of Our Past," which looks at the role of history in helping us understand the present, in particular, reference to Egypt and the events of September 11, 2001.