Unit Overview

Description

How did the small settlements which sprang up along the Nile Valley grow into one of the earliest, and most famous, Old World civilisations? How did Egyptian society change over time, as it encountered other ancient peoples, including Hittites, Persians, Greeks and Romans? What place does Egypt occupy in the history of the ancient Mediterranean and Near East? This unit provides answers to these questions and many others, as students delve into the fascinating world of Ancient Egyptian history. Starting with the age of the pyramids and ending with the collapse of Roman rule of the 7th century AD, this unit provides students with a ‘long history' of Egyptian culture and society. This unit is designed to give students valuable experience interpreting a range of sources including archaeological reports, inscriptions, papyrus documents and literary sources.

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationModeFirst year of offer
Not available in 2026UWA (Perth)On-campus
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 2 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) identify and describe the major political, social and cultural developments of the three major periods of Ancient Egyptian history (Pharaonic/Dynastic, Ptolemaic, and Roman); (2) demonstrate familiarity with a prescribed body of modern scholarship concerning ancient Egypt; (3) identify and analyse epigraphic, papyrological, archaeological, and literary sources pertaining to the history of Ancient Egypt; and (4) analyse the causes of historical change in Ancient Egyptian history up to the seventh century AD.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) test; (2) tutorial performance; and (3) exam. Further information is available in the unit outline.



Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Associate Professor Christopher Mallan
Unit rules
Prerequisites
Successful completion of
any level 1 12 points Unit(s)
Contact hours
Up to 3 hours per week
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.