Were the ancient Egyptians gloomily obsessed with death and the afterlife? The media would make you think so, but this course will give you an introduction to ancient Egyptian civilisation, and show the real lives and fascinating history of these vibrant and creative (and argumentative!) people. We will somehow squash 4000+ years of history into one term, and mix overviews of time periods with thematic lectures on topics such as art, religion, the economy and everyday life. By the end of the course you will have a basic knowledge of what went on and how society worked over this long time span, 'know' some ancient Egyptians and be equipped to spot the worst excesses of TV channels' 'Egyptology Week'! No background at all is required. Resources will include maps, a detailed chronology, some texts and a reading list for those who want to study further.