São Paulo – The postgraduate program of Paraná state-based college Itecne is offering an extension course in Egypt in January 2019. The trip will be led by the coordinator of Itecne’s Specialization Course in Ancient and Medieval History, Moacir Elias Santos, in a bid to study the archaeology and history of Ancient Egypt. Students from any school can enroll.
This is Itecne’s second Cultural Expedition abroad. The first one happened in Peru last January and involved 25 students. According to Santos, 35 students have confirmed they’ll join the course in Egypt, and a second group is now being formed. “The idea is to combine learning, research and travelling,” the professor said. “We made a first attempt in Peru and we saw that this works really well,” he explained.
Santos is an archaeologist by trade. He holds master’s and doctorate degrees in Ancient History, and Ancient Egypt has always been his primary object of research. He had been considering teaching a course in the Arab country ever since the idea for the program came about.
This program will include several visits to historic sites and museums, as well as classes in Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Cairo, plus a boat trip along the Nile. Apart from better-known places like Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Pyramids, Santos notes that what sets the program apart is the fact that it includes trips to places most tourists never go to.
Examples include the Temple of Khnum, on Elephantine Island, whose construction is believed to have been ordered by Queen Hatshepsut (1473-1458 B.C.); the Temple of Kalabsha, built on the orders of Augustus, the first Roman emperor (27-14 B.C.); and the Nubian Museum, all of which are located in Aswan.
Prior to the trip, on three Saturdays in August and September, preparatory classes will take place at the Itecne campus in Curitiba so students can become familiar with basic aspects of Egypt, including its geography, nature, agriculture, historical periods and religion.
According to Santos, the presentations will be available via Skype for students unable to attend. Enrollees include people from other states across Brazil. “The group is very diverse, there are people from Law, Philosophy, History, etc.,” the professor said.
The extension course will last 120 class-hours. The group will depart from Brazil on January 19 and return on February 2, 2019.
Quick facts
Itecne Cultural Expedition
Course: Archaeology and History of Ancient Egypt
January 19 to February 2, 2019
Prices:
Course – BRL 700.00
Land package – USD 1,352.00
Air package – USD 1,380.00
For additional information and enrollment, please call Itecne postgraduate pedagogical coordinator Natalina Triches at +55 41 3092-0198.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
