Ancient Egypt: Art, History, and Mystery from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Students will be able to identify objects and sites associated with old, middle, and new kingdom, and hellenistic periods of ancient egyptian art history.
Students will be able to recognize major egyptian architectural forms.

Students will gain an appreciation of the themes that defined egyptian art from the predynastic through the ptolemaic.
A comprehensive vocabulary list is found at the end of the course.

Students will be able to identify objects and sites associated with old, middle, and new kingdom, and hellenistic periods of ancient egyptian art history.
Students will be able to recognize major egyptian architectural forms.
Students will gain an appreciation of the themes that defined egyptian art from the predynastic through the ptolemaic.
A comprehensive vocabulary list is found at the end of the course.

Syllabus

Introduction

Between Sand and Stars

Gain an appreciation for a range of historical opinions which have developed around Egypt's Old Kingdom

Gods, Pharaohs, and Monuments to Eternity

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores Egyptian art history from a unique perspective, integrating traditional art history with controversial theories proposed by recent historians, which may add color to other topics

Covers Egyptian art, religion, astronomy, and civilization, offering a comprehensive study of one aspect of history and the human condition

Develops an appreciation of the themes that defined Egyptian art from the Predynastic through the Ptolemaic, which is highly relevant in an academic setting

Examines Egyptian culture and its artworks through the Hellenistic Period, which may add color to other topics and subjects

Reviews summary

Ancient egypt: unconventional perspective

According to learners, the course Ancient Egypt: Art, History, and Mystery provides a highly engaging and unique exploration of the subject, delving into controversial theories and less common aspects of Egyptian civilization, art, and history. Many students find the instructor passionate and knowledgeable, appreciating the departure from traditional surveys and the focus on subjects you won't find elsewhere. However, some reviewers note concerns about the presentation of unconventional theories, feeling they are sometimes presented as fact or lack sufficient evidence for their taste, suggesting the course may be better as a supplement rather than a primary, traditional introduction. Overall, it offers a fascinating, albeit debated, viewpoint.

Course uses effective images and visual materials.

"The course uses excellent visuals which greatly help in understanding the art and architecture discussed."

"Appreciated the quality of the images and illustrations provided."

"Good visual support for the lectures on art and monuments."

"The presentation materials were clear and helpful."

Instructor is passionate, knowledgeable, and captivating.

"The lecturer is clearly passionate about the subject and his enthusiasm is infectious."

"The instructor's deep knowledge and unique insights make the lectures very engaging."

"He presents the material in a way that holds your attention and makes you think."

"I really enjoyed the instructor's style and expertise throughout the course."

Explores unconventional theories not found elsewhere.

"...covers aspects of Egyptian art, religion, astronomy, and civilization which you won't find in any other survey."

"The most fascinating aspect of the course is its focus on controversial theories and unconventional perspectives."

"I found the topics covered incredibly unique and thought-provoking, unlike standard history courses."

"This course challenged my previous understanding by introducing intriguing new ideas."

Recommended as a supplement, not a primary source.

"This course is great if you already have a foundational understanding of Ancient Egypt and want to explore alternative views."

"It's better suited as a supplementary course than a comprehensive introduction."

"Might need to cross-reference with more traditional sources for a balanced view."

"Assumes some prior familiarity with standard Egyptian history."

Some disagree with how fringe theories are presented.

"...some of the more controversial theories are given prominence, which might not appeal to everyone."

"Felt some of the unconventional claims were presented with insufficient evidence or too assertively."

"I was looking for a traditional art history survey, and the focus on fringe theories wasn't what I expected."

"While the theories are interesting, I felt they should have been framed more clearly as debated viewpoints."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ancient Egypt: Art, History, and Mystery with these activities:

Review Ancient History Basics

Show steps

Solidify foundational knowledge of ancient history to better understand the context of Egyptian art and its historical significance.

Browse courses on Ancient Egypt

Show steps

Review timelines of ancient civilizations.
Study maps of the ancient world.
Read summaries of major historical events.

Review 'The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt' by Wilkinson

Show steps

Enhance understanding of the religious symbolism prevalent in Egyptian art.

View The Complete Gods and Godesses of Ancient Egypt on Amazon

Show steps

Browse the book and identify major deities.
Read about the gods mentioned in the course materials.
Take notes on their attributes and symbols.

Review 'A History of Ancient Egypt' by Nicolas Grimal

Show steps

Gain a deeper understanding of the historical context surrounding Egyptian art and culture.

View A History of Ancient Egypt on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book's introduction and table of contents.
Focus on chapters related to the course syllabus.
Take notes on key events and figures.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Create a Timeline of Egyptian Art

Show steps

Reinforce understanding of the chronological progression of Egyptian art by creating a visual timeline.

Show steps

Research key periods in Egyptian art history.
Identify representative artworks from each period.
Create a visual timeline with images and descriptions.

Virtual Museum Tour Script

Show steps

Synthesize knowledge by creating a script for a virtual museum tour of Egyptian artifacts.

Show steps

Select a set of Egyptian artifacts.
Research the history and significance of each artifact.
Write a script for a virtual museum tour.

Presentation: Controversial Theories

Show steps

Deepen understanding of controversial theories by researching and presenting on a specific topic.

Show steps

Choose a controversial theory related to ancient Egypt.
Research the theory and its supporting evidence.
Prepare a presentation summarizing the theory.
Present your findings to a peer or study group.

Research and Write a Paper on Mummification

Show steps

Explore the process of mummification and its cultural significance in ancient Egypt.

Show steps

Research the history and techniques of mummification.
Analyze the religious beliefs associated with mummification.
Write a paper summarizing your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Ancient Egypt: Art, History, and Mystery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Egyptologist

An Egyptologist is a scholar who specializes in the study of ancient Egypt. This involves researching the history, language, culture, and religion of ancient Egypt. This course, with its focus on the art, history, and some of the controversial theories surrounding ancient Egypt, is exceptionally aligned with the interests of an Egyptologist. The course’s exploration of Egyptian art, religion, astronomy, and civilization will be very useful for those interested in pursuing this academic area. An Egyptologist must have a strong grasp of the cultural and historical context, which this course effectively provides through its treatment of various historical periods and the themes present in Egyptian art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Egyptologist

Museum curator

A museum curator is responsible for the care and presentation of museum collections. This role includes researching artifacts, creating exhibits, and educating the public about historical and cultural objects. A course like this one, focused on ancient Egyptian art, history, and culture, directly supports the specialized knowledge required to curate Egyptian collections. The ability to identify objects and sites from different periods, as well as understand the thematic evolution of Egyptian art, is particularly crucial for a museum curator who might handle artifacts from the Old, Middle, New Kingdom, and Hellenistic periods. The course's examination of Egyptian architecture, religion, and astronomy also provides a broad understanding of the context of Egyptian art, which a curator would find necessary.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Archaeologist

An archaeologist studies past peoples and cultures by excavating and examining material remains. While some archaeologists specialize in certain regions, many become experts in specific time periods or cultures. The knowledge gained from this course, focusing on the art and history of Ancient Egypt, helps build a foundation for those interested in specializing in ancient Egyptian archaeology. The course's content, which includes identifying objects and sites from various historical periods in ancient Egypt and understanding thematic developments, is particularly suited to field work. The study of architectural forms and the evolution of art through the Predynastic to the Ptolemaic periods further prepares one for the analysis of excavated materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archaeologist

Art historian

An art historian researches, analyzes, and interprets works of art within the context of their historical and cultural backgrounds. This often involves tracking how styles change across time and places. This course, dedicated to ancient Egyptian art history, may be helpful for an individual wishing to become an art historian specializing in the art of ancient Egypt. By exploring the arc of Egyptian art history, the course helps one analyze the evolution of Egyptian art across the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, as well as the Hellenistic period. The course's integration of traditional art history with recent historical theories also provides a comprehensive approach to the subject which an art historian would likely appreciate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art historian

Cultural Heritage Manager

A cultural heritage manager oversees the preservation and management of cultural sites, monuments, and artifacts. This often involves working with museums and historical societies. Knowledge gleaned from a course such as this one, which focuses on ancient Egyptian art, history, and civilization, is directly applicable to roles involving the management of Egyptian sites and artifacts. The course covers major architectural forms, themes that defined Egyptian art, and also includes a vocabulary list which is beneficial for a cultural heritage manager. This position also requires a deep understanding of the historical context of artifacts, a focus of the course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Heritage Manager

Exhibition Designer

An exhibition designer creates engaging and informative displays for museums and galleries. This role requires a strong understanding of the subject material, as well as the ability to present it in a visually compelling and accessible way. By focusing on the art, history, and mystery of ancient Egypt, this course may be quite helpful to someone who wishes to design exhibits focused on this ancient culture. The course's examination of Egyptian architecture, themes in art from the Predynastic to the Ptolemaic periods, and various historical opinions may allow one to create compelling exhibitions. A deeper understanding of Egyptian architecture from this course would be of particular benefit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Exhibition Designer

Archival Researcher

An archival researcher works with historical documents and artifacts to uncover new information or support existing research. They often work in libraries, museums, and other institutions holding historical materials. This course, which studies ancient Egyptian art, history, and culture, may assist one wishing to research ancient Egyptian archival materials. The course assists in building a strong foundational understanding of the culture, which is particularly important for this role. Its focus on various historical periods and ability to identify objects and sites associated with each period may also be of great value.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archival Researcher

Historical Consultant

A historical consultant provides expertise and advice on historical matters to various organizations and projects, such as museums, film productions, and educational programs. A course such as this one in ancient Egyptian art, history, and culture is useful for someone who wants to become a historical consultant for projects related to ancient Egypt. The breadth of material covered in this course, encompassing Egyptian art, religion, astronomy, and civilization, provides a comprehensive background valuable to a historical consultant. Those seeking to work with ancient Egyptian materials may find that this course provides a particularly useful foundation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historical Consultant

Art Appraiser

An art appraiser assesses the value of artwork based on its condition, history, and market trends. While they may work in various art fields, an understanding of art history is critical. This course, focused on ancient Egyptian art, may benefit an art appraiser that wishes to specialize in an ancient art field. The course's coverage of Egyptian art history from the Predynastic to the Ptolemaic periods and its discussion of themes that define Egyptian art help build a foundation for those seeking expertise in this field. In particular, it may be useful for an art appraiser to learn to identify objects and sites from different time periods.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Appraiser

Educator

An educator teaches students or the public about specific subject areas. In this case, an educator might teach classes about ancient civilizations, art history, or ancient Egyptian culture. This course, with its focus on ancient Egyptian art, history, and culture, is directly applicable to roles that involve teaching about these topics. The course’s emphasis on Egyptian art, religion, and astronomy, as well as its examination of various historical opinions surrounding the Old Kingdom, provides a broad understanding. The ability to identify objects from various periods and recognize Egyptian architectural forms are also useful for an educator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Librarian

A librarian helps people find and use information resources. Some librarians specialize in certain subject areas. This course regarding ancient Egypt may help someone interested in becoming a librarian who specializes in ancient Egyptian resources. This course, with its focus on the themes that defined Egyptian art, provides a valuable background for those looking to help patrons find information about ancient Egypt. By studying Egyptian art, history, religion, and astronomy, a librarian may find they are better prepared to organize, catalog, and curate resources related to this area.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Writer

A writer creates content for various purposes, such as books, articles, or scripts. A writer who focuses on ancient history might find this course on ancient Egypt quite useful to their craft. The course, which covers the arc of Egyptian art history and incorporates various historical opinions, helps build a foundation for writing about the culture. The course's examination of Egyptian art, religion, and astronomy will also provide a deeper understanding of the subject, beneficial for a writer. In particular, the course material on the development of Egyptian art across historical periods would likely prove quite useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Travel Guide

A travel guide leads tours, often focusing on specific locations or themes. A travel guide with this kind of history would help visitors to Egypt. This course on ancient Egyptian art, history, and civilization may be useful for someone wishing to become a travel guide specializing in the history of ancient Egypt. The course's content on Egyptian art, religion, astronomy, and major architectural forms are all beneficial for such a role; the ability to identify sites from the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom will give a travel guide context to provide historical information to visitors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Travel Guide

Illustrator

An illustrator creates original artwork for various media, such as books, magazines, or websites. This course, with a focus on ancient Egyptian art, may be useful for an illustrator in creating pieces that accurately depict ancient Egyptian art and culture. This course’s content on the themes that defined Egyptian art from the Predynastic through the Ptolemaic periods is useful to someone who desires to produce historically accurate pieces. The course includes an examination of human and non-royal figures in artwork as well as studies of Egyptian architecture and decorative arts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Product Designer

A product designer creates functional and aesthetically pleasing items. This role may involve designing objects for sale or for specific uses. While there are many fields of product design, this course on ancient Egyptian art, history, and culture may be useful for a product designer that wants to create products inspired by this ancient civilization. The course's teachings on Egyptian art, religion, and architecture may help one in developing products inspired by the time period. A product designer may find that the study of major Egyptian architectural forms may prove to be especially inspiring.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ancient Egypt: Art, History, and Mystery.

A History of Ancient Egypt

Save

Provides a comprehensive overview of ancient Egyptian history, from the Predynastic Period to the Roman conquest. It valuable resource for understanding the political, social, and cultural context of Egyptian art. This book is often used as a textbook in university courses on ancient Egypt.

A History of Ancient Egypt

Hardcover

The Complete Gods and Godesses of Ancient Egypt

Save

Comprehensive guide to the deities of ancient Egypt. It provides detailed information on their roles, attributes, and iconography. Understanding Egyptian religion is crucial for interpreting the symbolism and meaning of Egyptian art. This book useful reference tool for identifying and understanding the gods and goddesses depicted in Egyptian art.

The Complete Gods and Godesses of Ancient Egypt

Paperback

Check price

The Complete Gods and Godesses of Ancient Egypt

Kindle Edition

Check price