Egyptology

Egyptology

More info

Programme Details
Egyptology in Leiden
Objectives
Structure
Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation
Contact information

Programme Details

Title: Master of Arts
Duration: 1 year, full-time
Start dates: September and February
Language of instruction: English
Responsibility: Programme director Master Egyptology, Prof. dr.O.E. Kaper

Egyptology in Leiden

The master’s programme in Egyptology is offered by the Department of Egyptian Language and Culture in collaboration with a number of institutions of renown, like the National Museum of Antiquities, the Papyrological Institute (both housed in Leiden) and the Netherlands-Flemish Institute in Cairo. The courses of the programme correspond directly to the research conducted by various members of staff, so that the students can become directly involved in the most recent developments in the field.

Objectives

In the master’s programme in Egyptian Language and Culture, students learn to collect relevant (primary) sources and secondary literature independently, using traditional as well as modern techniques (heuristics). They are trained to analyse secondary literature and sources independently and in the assessment of this literature in terms of quality and reliability. They learn, under expert guidance, to outline a clear and well-argued problem formulation and to divide this problem formulation into manageable subdivisions. Students are also taught, under expert guidance, to report on the results of their research in a clear and well-argued manner, both orally and in writing. Such reports moreover fulfil the criteria set by the field. Students are provided with the knowledge required in
order to formulate and conduct small-scale research projects.

In addition, graduates in Egyptian Language and Culture possess thorough knowledge and understanding of the contents of the field, the concepts, tools, research methods and techniques, and recent developments in the field. Moreover they possess thorough knowledge and understanding of the interdisciplinary position of the field and insight into the relevance for society at large of the field.

The programme aims to raise students to a level of knowledge and skills that allows them to proceed to PhD research. Alternatively, graduates qualify for positions outside the university that require an academic level of thinking.

Structure

Structure

The master’s programme consists of two semesters of 30 EC each.
Students without a specific training in Egyptology, get a thorough introduction into the field of Egyptolog during the first two months of your studies. In three separate courses of 5 EC each they are acquainted with Egyptian archaeology and cultural history, the research tools in Egyptology and basic hieroglyphs.

Students who have a BA in Egyptology or a comparable field are offered courses to deepen their knowledge and pursue their own field of interest. In the first semester they take a course on Egyptian temple inscriptions of the Graeco-Roman period, and a course on the use of social theory for historical research.

After the first two months, in Leiden, all students spend two months in Cairo, where they participate in a programme offered by the Netherlands-Flemish Institute. For the academic year 2010-2011, this stay abroad is planned approximately in the period between 1 November and 31 December 2010.

In the second semester, students either take a course on Egyptian archaeology and epigraphy or participate in a papyrological seminar, where they can choose between Demotic, Coptic and Greek. The master’s programme is concluded with a thesis (20 EC).

Master’s thesis and requirements for graduation

In order to graduate, students must have successfully completed the 60 EC programme including their final thesis as a component of that programme. The thesis carries 20 EC, and as a rule should not exceed a maximum of 17,000 words including notes, bibliography and appendices. The thesis is supervised by a lecturer of the Department of Egyptology who possesses the appropriate expertise in the field addressed in the thesis. The Department ensures that students are put in contact with a lecturer from their own department for thesis supervision, preferably at the commencement of the programme.

Contact Information

Mailing address

MA Egyptology
Secretariat Vrieshof 4, rm 112a
P.O.Box 9515
2300 RA Leiden
The Netherlands

Visiting address (also address for courier services)

Matthias de Vrieshof 4, 2311BZ Leiden
Witte Singel 25, 2311BG Leiden

Secretariat

Matthias de Vrieshof 4, room 112a

Opening hours
Monday, 13.30-15.30 hs
Tuesday, 10.00-12.30 hs
Wednesday, 10.00-12.30 hs
Thursday, 10.00-12.30 and 13.30-15.30 hs
Friday, 10.00-12.30 hs

Phone +31 (0)71 527 2253
Fax +31 (0)71 527 3310
E-mail secrVrieshof@hum.leidenuniv.nl

Coordinator/Student adviser

N.A.N.M. van Os, MA
Phone: +31 (0)71 527 2937
E-mail: stucovrieshof@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Office hours: Tuesday, Thursday, 10-12 hs