Eastern Illinois University The Keep Masters Theses Student Theses & Publications 2015 Researching the Historical Representations of Ancient Egypt in Trade Books Lieren Schuette Eastern Illinois University This research is a product of the graduate program in Elementary Education at Eastern Illinois University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Schuette, Lieren, "Researching the Historical Representations of Ancient Egypt in Trade Books" (2015). Masters Theses. 2285. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/2285 This is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Theses & Publications at The Keep. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of The Keep. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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Researching the Historical Representations of Ancient Egypt in Trade Books (TITLE) BY Lieren Schuette THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF Master's of Science in Education IN THE GRADUATE SCHOOL, EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CHARLESTON, ILLINOIS 2015 YEAR I HEREBY RECOMMEND THAT THIS THESIS BE ACCEPTED AS FULFILLING THIS PART OF THE GRADUATE DEGREE CITED ABOVE Running head: REPRESENTATIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN TRADE BOOKS 1 Researching the Historical Representations of Ancient Egypt in Trade Books Lieren Schuette Eastern Illinois University REPRESENTATIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN TRADE BOOKS 2 Abstract State and national education initiatives require that historical information be introduced in the classroom through the utilization of multiple diverse texts. The role of non-fiction in the English/language arts classroom, as well as informational texts in the history/social studies classroom, increased considerably. The use of trade books allows teachers to connect the two curricula, while also meeting the standards. Primary sources can assist in filling the informational gap left by trade books and textbooks, which allow students to gain a more balanced view of historical events. Teachers, however, are not given direction as to which specific curricular materials are most appropriate. My research empirically evaluated how ancient Egypt is represented in trade books, a curricular topic that appears in world history. I reported misrepresentations that were found to be present within the data pool. My findings can direct classroom teachers in selecting appropriate literature about ancient Egypt. Keywords: Ancient Egypt, trade books, informational texts, primary sources REPRESENTATIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN TRADE BOOKS 3 I would like to thank my committee members for being more than generous with their time and expertise. A special thanks to Dr. John Bickford for his patience and countless hours of reading and encouragement throughout this process. I wish to dedicate my thesis work to my family and friends for their personal support this past year. I will always appreciate the words of encouragement from my parents, Barbara and Gregory Schuette, who have helped inspire and reassure me. I also dedicate this thesis to Blaine Mc Whorter, who never left my side throughout this process. REPRESENTATIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN TRADE BOOKS 4 Table of Contents Researching the Historical Representations of Ancient Egypt in Trade books ........................ 6 Literature Review .............................................................................................. 6 Trade Books ............................................................................................ 7 Textbooks .............................................................................................. 9 Primary Sources ..................................................................................... 12 Historiography of Ancient Egypt .................................................................. 12 Methods/Content Analysis Tool ........................................................................... 16 Findings ....................................................................................................... 18 Genre and Primary Sources ....................................................................... .18 Historical Figures and Pharaohs .................................................................. 20 Ancient Egyptian Societal Classes ............................................................... 21 Everyday Life ....................................................................................... 24 Geographical Features ..............................................................................26 Architecture, Techniques, and Inventions ....................................................... 30 Ancient Egyptian Religion ......................................................................... 33 Gods and Goddesses ................................................................................ 35 Discussion and Implications ................................................................................ 37 Primary Sources ..................................................................................... 3 7 Activities ............................................................................................. 41 Conclusion ....................................................................................................43 References .....................................................................................................45 Data Pool- Trade Books on Ancient Egypt. .............................................................. 50 REPRESENTATIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN TRADE BOOKS 5 Biographic Content. ......................................................................................... 53 Historical Figures, Societal Roles, and Everyday Life .................................................. 56 Geography, Architecture, and Religion ................................................................... 58 Gods and Goddesses ......................................................................................... 60 Supplementary Primary Sources ........................................................................... 62 REPRESENTATIONS OF ANCIENT EGYPT IN TRADE BOOKS 6 Researching the Historical Representations of Ancient Egypt in Trade Books A prominent subject that covers an immense period of time, ancient Egypt is portrayed in various degrees of depth in textbooks and trade books. Historians have displayed their knowledge and expertise on the subject by accurately depicting many events in the history of Ancient Egypt. However, the rich culture of ancient Egypt is dulled by the rather abbreviated versions provided in textbooks and trade books. Social studies/history textbooks, as well as trade books, generally discuss only the most celebrated persons and well-known events of that era. The content covered is by no means representative of the actual occurrences during