Egyptology in AUC
Written by: Aya Salama and Silvana Philip
(http://egyptclub.whwebsolutions.com/wp-content/themes/Ancient%20Egypt/images/Header.jpg)
In the minds of many, Egypt has always been the land of the pyramids, Cleopatra, king Tut, "the mummy "and " the mummy returns". The mystical appeal of the ancient Egyptian civilization has lured many to try and know better about it and study it more closely. And where closer can one ever study it that in the land of the pharaohs itself! The American university in Egypt is one of a selected few (probably one of two) of American affiliated universities that offer an Egyptology major world wide. Among the different departments of AUC, Egyptology is considered one of the most unique and interesting departments. The department presents a wide variety of courses concerned with the dawn and development of the Egyptian civilization. Students study different topics such as construction, hieroglyphic language, medicine, religion and many other aspects of this great civilization. For its uniqueness, the department attracts Egyptian and foreign students alike who share the passion of studying ancient Egyptian culture and history.
Students at AUC are lucky because they have a privilege studying this course in Egypt. The department organizes weekly field trips to sites all over Egypt including Luxor, Aswan, Giza, Sakkara, middle Egypt and others (all great archeological sites). Field trips and work related to Egyptology courses are very interesting. With Students having access to museums and different cities in Egypt, they could readily see all sorts of artifacts and remains they are studying in their original environment. Giving them a richer and more enjoyable learning experience than any they could ever get merely by studying about them in books. The above image was taken in a field trip to Minya city in Egypt in 2008 where Students traveled to examine a site.
(Courtesy of AUC Egyptology department)
In another course offered by the department, students study a very interesting and mysterious part of Ancient Egyptian rituals which is mummification. In a recent field trip students practiced ancient Egyptian rituals for mummification… on animals; nevertheless, it was just as exciting as the real thing! In the process, some students even read sacred funerary text and burned incense as to mimic the original rituals as accurately and genuinely as possible.
(Courtesy of AUC Egyptology department)
This is a group photo of students and professors in the Minya city field trip. The photo expresses their interest and excitement about the field trip. The field trips help students discover how the Egyptian civilization was advanced in all sorts of disciplines and about the secrets and we are trying to discover up till today. In effort to strengthen the bond students have with their history and thus society, AUC offers Egyptology courses as part of the core requirement courses mandatory for all students. The AUC press publishes great books and spectacular photo albums about Ancient Egyptian civilization so as to support the great enthusiasm of all who like studying Egyptology. This way the AUC helps students build a sense of appreciation of to their country and their ancestors who passed on a great civilization that their descendants are proud of to this day. It also helps foreign students discover the magnificent civilization of Egypt.
Comments
For the longest time, I've wanted to study Egyptology at AUC. Unfortunately my parents are afraid to send their white, Jewish (I don't practice, it's really more of a heritage/surname thing) daughter to Cairo for college. In a way I understand, but it won't stop me from dreaming/trying. I'm studying archaeology here in the States for now, and hopefully I'll be able to go to AUC (or the University of Chicago, which also has amazing Near Eastern studies) for grad school/study abroad/etc. Hope you guys are having an amazing time.
Posted by: Elizabeth Rosen | October 25, 2009 08:07 PM
Egyptology is a very vast subject, you have to stay in focus at class all the time.
Posted by: Best Guitar Accessories | October 26, 2009 06:31 AM
i love egypt alot not for just iam egyption sure because it my blood
Posted by: المهندس | November 1, 2009 01:53 PM
Egyptology gives an idea about ancient egypt archaeology which really vast but interesting.
Posted by: Lakes Shower Enclosures | November 3, 2009 03:20 AM
Wow! What a fascinating major! Are either of you declared for this major? What a great opportunity. Do most of the graduates with this major go on to do further research or do they shift to work in other fields?
Posted by: Rachel Lambert | November 14, 2009 09:57 AM
Hi Aya and Silvana,
Thank you! That was so interesting to read about. I know very little about modern Egyptian culture - how is it different or similar to ancient Egyptian culture? I met someone two days ago who studied Arabic in Cairo over the summer. She talked about how there are a lot of stray cats and people tend to look down on them. I thought this was really different than ancient Egypt where cats were revered. Is this accurate?
Thank you,
Natalia
Posted by: Natalia Birgisson | November 15, 2009 02:02 PM
I agree field trips are way better than just reading information from a book.
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Posted by: ugg boots sale | November 18, 2009 12:13 AM
hello guys thanks for sharing your thoughts!
well,Rachel non of us is an Egyptology major, actually i dont know that much people who are majoring in Egyptology however many take Egyptology courses as part of there core curriculum requirements so they can jhave an idea about the subject but not necessarily learn about it in great detail. to our knowledge the graduates work in the same field definitely. there are different jobs that they can take on. but if you mean like do they go digging up mummies and stuff!? not sure how that goes exactly sorry, but its not easy due to legislations.
hey Natalia!
that is definitely true (about the cats). cats did hold a divine status in ancient Egypt , but modern Egypt is quite different., i'm sorry to say that animal rights awareness is not very common now.modern culture is very different than ancient culture( there is almost NO comparison whatsoever ), but that doesn't mean it doesn't have its unique charm (centurines of overlapping diverse civilisations). same sun and sand though!
thanx for your comments guys !!
Posted by: aya and silvana | November 21, 2009 12:28 AM