Egiptología (Egyptology) Course Reviews

The course covers a wide range of topics including the geography, history, language, religion, art, and architecture of ancient Egypt.

The course begins with an introduction to the geography of Egypt, including its natural resources and how they influenced the development of the civilization. The history of ancient Egypt is then explored, including the different dynasties, pharaohs, and major events that shaped the society.

The course then delves into the language of ancient Egypt, including the hieroglyphic writing system and the grammar and vocabulary of the Egyptian language. The religious beliefs and practices of ancient Egyptians are also covered, including their pantheon of gods and the importance of funerary practices in Egyptian culture.

Art and architecture are also major topics of the course, with a focus on the development of different styles and techniques over time. The course concludes with a discussion of the legacy of ancient Egypt, including its influence on later civilizations and its continued relevance today.

Throughout the course, students have the opportunity to engage in interactive activities and assessments to reinforce their understanding of the material. By the end of the course, students should have a deep appreciation and understanding of the complex and fascinating civilization of ancient Egypt.

Course Content:

The Egiptología (Egyptology) course by Josep Cervelló on Coursera is a comprehensive exploration of ancient Egyptian civilization. The course is divided into 10 modules, with a total of 74 lectures. Here is a detailed breakdown of each module:

Module 1: Bienvenida y presentación (2 videos + 6 readings)

Comenzamos este viaje a través de la civilización del Antiguo Egipto.

Module 2: Orígenes (11 videos + 3 readings)

El contenido de este módulo será impartido, en su totalidad, por el instructor Josep Cervelló. Junto al aspecto introductorio de parte del contenido de la lección, lo cual nos será muy útil de cara al resto del temario, ORÍGENES nos sitúa en un espacio cronológico centrado en los inicios del estado egipcio. En relación a ello y a la invención de la escritura estudiaremos también algunos sitios arqueológicos concretos, como las tumbas T23 de Hieracómpolis y la Uj de Abidos.

Module 3: Pirámides (9 videos + 2 readings)

En PIRÁMIDES, que es como hemos titulado el contenido de esta parte del curso, trataremos la época del Reino Antiguo focalizando nuestra atención en la época y el mundo de las pirámides, sin duda una de las imágenes más representativas del Egipto faraónico. Analizaremos su simbolismo, los Textos de las Pirámides, la solarización de la monarquía en ese período, así como la construcción y otros aspectos de la arquitectura de las pirámides.

Module 4: Sinuhé (7 videos + 2 readings)

El módulo SINUHÉ nos lleva al Reino Medio egipcio, una época de esplendor en la que destaca la creación de grandes obras literarias que, como la Historia de Sinuhé, se convertirán en auténticos clásicos. Por ello, será momento de explicar la historia de la lengua egipcia en sus diversas fases, sus diferentes escrituras, así como una aproximación a la propia Historia de Sinuhé. Desde el plano histórico, haremos un recorrido por la dinastía XI, desde la gestación de Tebas como poder nacional, hasta el final de la dinastía XII

Module 5: Hyksos (7 videos + 2 readings)

El módulo HYKSOS servirá para introducirnos en una época en el que el contacto entre egipcios y semitas ofrecerá un nuevo panorama en el territorio egipcio. Para ello, hablaremos de la situación en el Sinaí, y de la invención del alfabeto con el protosinaítico. Desde el plano histórico, trataremos las dinastías XIII-XVII, conociendo las fuentes que nos permiten establecer una cronología relativa de este período.

Module 6: Amón (8 videos + 2 readings)

El módulo AMÓN nos introducirá en el mundo de los principales dioses de Menfis y Tebas, los dos grandes centros religiosos y de poder de la época. También hablaremos de los dioses de ultratumba, y de los textos funerarios y literarios del Reino Nuevo. Desde el punto de vista histórico y arqueológico, nos centraremos en el inicio de la dinastía XVIII hasta Amenhetep III, por un lado, y en los templos de Karnak y Luxor así como en las necrópolis y templos funerarios de Tebas oeste, por otro.

Module 7: Amarna (7 videos + 2 readings)

El módulo AMARNA nos acerca a uno de los períodos más populares de la historia de Egipto. Será momento de explicar el significado, en cuanto a la divinidad, del uno y los múltiples y de conceptos como politeísmo, henoteísmo y monoteísmo. Con ello podremos pasar a analizar con más detalle la religión de Amarna, reflejada en los Himnos a Atón. Dentro del aspecto histórico hablaremos de Akhenaton, Smenkhkara, Neferfefruaton y Tutankhamon y, como no, de la arqueología de Amarna.

Module 8: Ramsés (13 videos + 2 readings)

El módulo titulado RAMSÉS será impartido en su totalidad por el instructor José Lull. Nos introduciremos en el inicio de la dinastía XIX para después desarrollar el contenido con la época de Ramsés II. Hablaremos también de los Pueblos del Mar con Ramsés III y de los problemas al final de la dinastía XX. Aprovecharemos para ofrecer unas nociones de economía ramésida. Y como introducción al último milenio de historia de Egipto trataremos su inicio, con la dinastía XXI, y su final, con las últimas dinastías indígenas y segunda ocupación persa.

Module 9: Rosetta (9 videos + 2 readings)

El módulo titulado ROSETTA nos lleva al último capítulo de la civilización faraónica. Será momento de hablar de la interpretación que se hizo de los jeroglíficos desde la antigüedad tardía así como de Champollion y los fundamentos de la escritura jeroglífica egipcia. Desde el plano histórico, realizaremos un último recorrido desde la conquista de Alejandro Magno, pasando por el dominio lágida, de Ptolomeo I a Cleopatra VII, y el dominio romano, hasta el cierre del templo de Filae por orden del bizantino Justiniano.

Module 10: Examen final

En este módulo encontrarás el examen final del curso

Reviews:

As a former student of the Egiptología (Egyptology) course by Josep Cervelló on Coursera, I found the course to be an excellent introduction to the fascinating world of ancient Egypt. The course covers a broad range of topics, from the history of ancient Egypt to its art, religion, and mythology. Each module contains multiple lectures, readings, and quizzes, which are designed to help students deepen their understanding of the material.

One of the strengths of the course is the expertise of the instructor, Josep Cervelló, who is a leading expert in the field of Egyptology. His lectures are engaging, informative, and accessible, and he clearly has a deep passion for the subject matter. In addition, the course is well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear instructions and helpful resources.

Another strength of the course is the community of learners that it fosters. Students have the opportunity to engage in discussion forums and interact with each other, which is a great way to share ideas and perspectives on the material. The assignments are also well-designed, with a good balance between writing and multiple-choice questions.

Overall, I would highly recommend the Egiptología (Egyptology) course to anyone with an interest in ancient Egypt. It provides a solid foundation in the history, culture, and mythology of this fascinating civilization and is an excellent starting point for further study. The course is engaging, informative, and accessible, and the instructor's passion for the subject is infectious. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student of Egyptology, this course has something to offer.

At the time, the course has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on over 1,371 ratings.

What you'll learn:

After completing the Egiptología (Egyptology) course by Josep Cervelló on Coursera, students can expect to have gained the following skills:

1. Understanding of ancient Egyptian history and culture: Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the key historical periods and cultural practices of ancient Egypt, including its geography, natural resources, language, writing system, religion, mythology, funerary beliefs, art, architecture, and legacy. They will learn about the various social, political, and economic factors that shaped the development of ancient Egyptian civilization and gain insight into how this civilization influenced the wider world.

2. Critical analysis of primary and secondary sources: The course will help students develop the skills to critically analyze primary and secondary sources related to ancient Egypt, including texts, images, and artifacts. They will learn how to evaluate the reliability and biases of different sources, how to identify and interpret the main themes and ideas within them, and how to synthesize information from multiple sources to build a nuanced understanding of a given topic.

3. Interpretation and evaluation of historical events and cultural practices: Students will develop the skills to interpret and evaluate different interpretations of historical events and cultural practices in ancient Egypt. They will learn how to identify and analyze the different factors that contributed to the development of these practices, how to assess the impact of external events and influences on ancient Egyptian society, and how to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different scholarly arguments and interpretations.

4. Knowledge of key debates and controversies in Egyptology: The course will expose students to some of the key debates and controversies within the field of Egyptology, such as the interpretation of certain texts or artifacts, the accuracy of various historical sources, and the role of religion and mythology in ancient Egyptian society. Students will learn how to navigate these debates and critically evaluate the evidence and arguments presented by scholars on different sides of these issues.

5. Understanding of the rise and fall of ancient Egyptian civilization: Students will develop an understanding of the key factors that contributed to the rise and fall of ancient Egyptian civilization, including the role of religion, social organization, technological innovation, and external influences. They will learn how to analyze the complex interplay of these factors and develop a nuanced understanding of why ancient Egyptian civilization flourished for so long and eventually declined.

6. Effective communication about ancient Egypt: Finally, the course will equip students with the skills to communicate effectively about ancient Egypt and its cultural achievements in written and oral formats. They will learn how to structure arguments and make compelling claims, how to use evidence to support their claims, and how to communicate complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. These skills will be useful not only for further study of ancient Egypt but also for other fields and contexts where critical thinking and effective communication are valuable.

Author:

Josep Cervelló is a respected scholar of ancient Egypt who has published extensively on topics related to this field. He is the author of several books, including "Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids" and "The Art of Ancient Egypt". He has also written numerous articles and contributed to academic conferences and exhibitions around the world.

Dr. Cervelló is a Professor of Egyptology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, where he teaches courses on the art, culture, and history of ancient Egypt. He has also held visiting professorships at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oxford.

In addition to his scholarly work, Dr. Cervelló has been involved in various archaeological expeditions and excavations in Egypt and other parts of the world. He has worked on sites such as the Great Temple of Amun at Karnak, the Pyramid of Senwosret III at Dahshur, and the ancient city of Tell el-Farkha.

Overall, Dr. Cervelló is a highly respected and accomplished scholar in the field of Egyptology. His extensive knowledge of ancient Egypt, coupled with his practical experience in archaeological fieldwork, has made him a valuable contributor to the field. His expertise and insights are reflected in the Egiptología (Egyptology) course on Coursera, which provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to the subject.

Requirements:

The requirements for the Egiptología (Egyptology) course by Josep Cervelló on Coursera are as follows:

1. Device and Internet Requirements: You will need access to a computer or mobile device with a stable internet connection to access the course materials, view videos, and complete assignments.

2. Language Requirements: The course is taught in Spanish, so it is recommended that you have a basic understanding of the language to follow the lectures and participate in discussions. However, optional readings and materials are available in English for non-Spanish speakers.

3. Time Requirements: The course is self-paced, but it is recommended that you complete each part of the course in approximately 1-2 weeks to stay on track and get the most out of the course. The estimated time commitment for the entire course is 30 hours.

4. Technical Requirements: To access the course, you will need to create a free Coursera account and have the latest version of your web browser installed. You will also need to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to access some of the course materials.

5. Optional Requirements: While not required, it is recommended that you have a general interest in history and archaeology to better understand the course content. Additionally, some parts of the course may involve visiting museums or archaeological sites, so it is helpful if you have access to these resources.