Teaching Ancient Egypt in Community College: Dr. Jennifer Babcock

"Teaching Ancient Egypt in Community College: Reframing and Rethinking the Field" was presented by Dr. Jennifer Miyuki Babcock at #MOEgypt5: New Directions in Teaching Ancient Egypt and Nubia on Saturday, 21 Oct 2023.
The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is part of a system of public colleges, community colleges, and universities in New York. Enrolled students pursue an Associate’s degree, and some choose to continue their studies to achieve a Bachelor’s degree at FIT or a different four-year program elsewhere. Most students come from local New York City communities and take advantage of the school’s affordable tuition. Over half of the student population belong to groups that are not of white/non-Hispanic origin. In short, FIT’s population is largely underrepresented in the field of Egyptology. I am developing courses and educational programming at FIT, to decolonize Egyptology and make it more accessible. One course, “Repositioning Ancient Egypt and Rethinking Egyptology” invites students to think critically about how the field has developed, and how ancient Egyptian culture is presented in scholarship, popular media, and exhibition spaces. This course was a direct result of a discussion panel I co-organized at FIT where scholars discussed the history of Egyptology and its current role at universities considering the recent Black Lives Matter protests in the U.S.A. In this talk, I will explain the role public education has in moving Egyptology beyond its colonialist origins. Additionally, I will share my pedagogical experiences and efforts in creating a space where high-quality ancient world studies are available and given relevance within the community college/public school setting. The programs of study and events developed at FIT serve as a model for other instructors and institutions who are interested in ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in a field that is traditionally beyond reach for many.
Session Chair: Prof. Stacy Davidson