Possible Subject Areas and
Themes for the Term Paper
This listing contains general subject areas and overall themes from which students may choose in order to formulate the specific topics of their term papers. Topics must be approved by the instructor to receive a passing grade. All students must meet with the instructor to discuss their proposed paper topics and clear them in advance before beginning work on the paper. The instructor reserves the right to limit the number of students in the class working on any one topic or theme.
  1. Issues in the Archaeology of Egypt and Nubia, including Material Culture
  2. Comparative Studies in the Daily Life of Nubian/Kushites and Egyptians
  3. Issues in the Egyptianization of Nubia and Kush
  4. Issues in Trade, Commerce, and Economy between Egypt and Nubia/Kush
  5. Nubian A-Group Culture and Relations/Connections with Predynastic Egypt and Dynasty 0
  6. The A-Group Kingdom: Predessor or Originator of the Egyptian Kingship?
  7. Mortuary, Civil or Urban Architecture in Nubia
  8. Comparison between Egyptian Mortuary, Civil or Urban Architectures
  9. Issues in Nubian Urbanism (i.e., towns and temples, incl. comparisons with Egyptian urbanism)
  10. Cattle in Egyptian and Nubian Societies (incl. Egyptian Exploitation of Nubian Cattle)
  11. Historical and Social Issues Related to Cattle-Raising in Nubia
  12. Historical and Social Issues Related to Horse-Raising and the "Horsey" Culture in Nubia/Kush
  13. Status, Role and Function of Egyptian and Kushite Female Royalty: A Comparison
  14. Status of Kings and the Notion of Divine Kingship in Egypt and Nubia: A Comparison
  15. Comparison and Contrast between Two Specific Egyptian and Nubian Kings or Conquerors (e.g., Sesostris III, Piye, Thutmose II, Shabako, Thutmose III, Taharqa, etc.)
  16. Funerary Customs and Architecture in Nubian History
  17. Comparative Funerary Beliefs and Practices among the Nubians/Kushite and Egyptians No further papers permitted.
  18. Egyptian Perceptions of Nubia as a Land of Magic and of the Gods
  19. Conceptions of Nubia in Egyptian Solar Religion (e.g., Amenhotep III, Akhenaten, Ramesses II), incl. Nubian solar temples (Soleb, Sedeinga, Abu Simbel, etc.)
  20. The Role of Nubia in the Egyptian Solar Religion specifically of Amenhotep III, Queen Tiy (as the "eye of Ra"), Akhenaten (incl. temples of Soleb, Sedeinga, etc.)
  21. Comparison of Egyptian and Nubian Military Organization, Methods, and Policies
  22. Use, Function and Organizations of the Egyptian Forts in Nubia
  23. The Use, Function and Status of Nubian Mercenary Soldiers in Ancient Egypt
  24. Egyptian-Nubian Foreign Relations and Diplomatic History over Time
  25. Environment in Egypt and Nubia and the Development of Culture and History
  26. Issues in Geography, Land, and Environment in Egypt and Nubia that Affected Their History
  27. Egyptian Imperial Strategies and Policies in Nubia during the Middle and New Kingdoms: A Comparison
  28. Issues related to Governor/General Panehesy: Faithful Official of Egypt or Revolutionary
  29. Role and Function of the "King's Son of Kush" as Governor of Nubia in the New Kingdom
  30. Issues in the Egyptian Exploration and Exploitation of Nubia in the Old Kingdom
  31. Issues in the Egyptian administration of Nubia in the Middle Kingdom
  32. Issues in the Egyptian administration of Nubia in the New Kingdom
  33. Nubia in the Egyptian Empire of the New Kingdom (incl. Egyptian conquest, Nubia's place in the empire, etc.)
  34. Issues Regarding the Vassal Princedom of Teh-khet and Relations to Egypt in the New Kingdom
  35. Nubia and/or Kush, Dynamic Relations with Egypt
  36. Issues Regarding the 25th Dynasty Conquest and/or Rule of Egypt
  37. The 25th Dynasty: Invaders or Defenders of Traditional Egyptian Culture
  38. Issues Regarding the 25th Dynasty Approach to Its Asian Empire and the Assyrian Empire
  39. The 25th Dynasty and the Kingdom of Israel
  40. Issues in the Historiography of Egyptology and Nubian/Kushite Studies: Methods and Directions
  41. Crime, and Punishment: The Role of Nubia in the Egyptian Forced-Labor Prison System
  42. Comparative Race and Ethnicity of the Nubians and Egyptians
  43. Egyptian Representational Art: Distinguishing Egyptians from Nubians and Implications for Egyptian Ethnocentrism (i.e., depicting the "other")
  44. Issues Related to Free Nubians Living in Egyptian Society, Nubian Assimilation, Extent of Egyptian Acceptance, etc.
  45. The Activities, Status and Roles of Nubians Living in Egypt
  46. Slavery, Forced Labor and the Position of Nubian Slaves in Egyptian Society