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Egyptian and Near Eastern Mythology (ANCW20013)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Not available in 2018
About this subject
Overview
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This subject will focus on the gods and the goddesses, heroes and villains from ancient Egypt and neighbouring lands. Students will explore some of the mythical stories that emerged from the lands of the Nile and Mesopotamia, which predate those found in classical mythology by several thousand millennia. Among the central patterns and themes that will be studied are the creation of the cosmos, the search for immortality, and hero myths in which men confront monsters. The characters we will meet along the way include deities such as Isis and Osiris, the formidable goddess Inanna, and the quintessential Near Eastern hero, Gilgamesh. We will engage directly with these narratives in the surviving literary sources, and in art, which are major source for Egyptian and Near Eastern myths.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- demonstrate familiarity with the central patterns and themes in Egyptian and Near Eastern mythology;
- demonstrate familiarity with mythical narratives of the two regions;
- develop effective critical thinking through the analysis of relevant texts;
- develop effective written and presentational skills;
- develop collaboration skills within the class-room;
- demonstrate social, ethical and cultural understanding.
Last updated: 2 November 2024