Ancient Egypt and its World. The student will be taught the elements of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, how it was deciphered and the derivation of our own alphabet from it. Three textbooks, all paperbacks, are compulsory. Topics in Ancient Civilizations and Biblical Studies. Section 101 - The Origins of Writing in the Middle East.
Societies develop writing for many reasons, but writing fundamentally alters societies that use it.
It begins with some general theories of the evolution of writing and its effects. We will also learn about the basic structure of these writing systems by reading sample texts. Finally, we will consider how the development of writing altered the societies that used it. Understanding the role of writing in ancient societies gives us perspective on its function in modern societies. Attitudes towards sexuality and the body today are largely the consequence of the first four hundred years of Christian Thought, the time period known as the Formative Period.