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Academic Year 2004/2005


Death and Dying
PSYC 354 SP

This course will examine the final stage of life in terms of its psychological, emotional, cognitive, biological, spiritual, legal, and intellectual effects/ramifications for both the dying and their loved ones. We will consider how death actually happens from a biological/physiological standpoint, how other cultures (past and present) perceive and treat the dying and the dead, and how death and dying are treated and depicted in literature, film, poetry, and the visual arts.

MAJOR READINGS

Kastenbaum, Robert. (2001). DEATH, SOCIETY AND THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE. (7th ed.) Allyn and Bacon.
Outside reading.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

One 20 minute in class presentation. Each student will choose their own topic regarding some aspect of death or the dying experience.
One final 5-10 page paper including peer reviewed journal research on some aspect of death or dying.
Each student is required to make one visit to a hospice, morgue, funeral home, or an interview with a dying person or geriatrician, and a 5 page written summary of that experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Students who are very comfortable talking and sharing in class are encouraged to enroll. There is a good deal of outside reading in this course, in addition to the primary textbook.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PSYC    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005


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