Understanding Death and Dying



Death and Dying

Spring 2012-DM 110

Ligia M. Houben, M.A.,FT, FAAGC, CPC

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Office: DM 301b

Office Hours: Saturdays 12pm-2pm

Telephone: (305) 348-6728.

Course Time: Saturdays 9:30am-12pm

Instructor Background:

The instructor is a Fellow in Thanatology: death, dying and bereavement and a Certified Grief Counselor and Fellow of the American Academy of Grief Counseling. She received a Bachelors degree in Religious Studies and Psychology and a Masters degree in Religious Studies. She has also graduate studies in Gerontology and Loss and Healing.

Course Description: Thanatology, which is the study of death, deals with questions and issues that are basic components of the human experience. This course will allow the student to expand his/her knowledge about the historical background of death and dying and the beliefs and practices of different cultures and religious traditions.

Emphasis will be placed on acquiring more awareness about end-of-life issues and contemporary practices in a didactic and exploratory manner.

Required Texts:

DeSpelder, Lynne A. and Albert L. Strickland. The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying, 9th. Edition.

Houben, Ligia M. Transform your Loss. Your Guide to Strength and Hope.

Course Objectives: After taking this course the student will be able to:

Gain knowledge about the social attitudes concerning death

Compare the belief system of several religious traditions

Take account of the cultural differences concerning funeral practices

Gain knowledge about the stages of the dying process and the role of the patient

Understand the philosophy of Hospice and Palliative Care

Become aware of the different ways of grieving

Provide an overview of legal and ethical issues from euthanasia to living wills

Gain a basic understanding of loss, grief, and bereavement; and most of all

Develop more awareness concerning one’s attitudes, including fear, about death and dying.

Course Requirements:

Due to the nature of the course the student is expected to attend and participate in each session. Keep in mind that listening to others is as important as talking. These are very profound issues and we learn from other’s experiences. Failure to do this will be reflected in your understanding and awareness of the subject matter.

The student is expected to submit each week an insightful exercise from the workbook on which he/she will reflect on the different issues covered in the chapter and personal experience with the issue of death and/or dying. On these exercises the student will also have the opportunity to express his/her reactions or feelings concerning class discussion.

The student will write a recollection paper where he/she will state his/her experiences with death, since childhood. This paper will follow a chronological format and the instructor will provide the students with the set of questions to be develop. This paper will be due at the end of the term.

Group Project:

There are two options for the group project:

To visit a funeral home or cemetery and to present to the class the experience, including terminology already covered in class (this might be a field trip, to be discussed in class).

To present to the class a topic that will not be covered in class but that has to do with death and dying.

For the group project the student has to write a paper of 8-10pages. The perspective of each paper will depend on the choice of the student. During the last four weeks of class each student has to do a class presentation based on his/her project. There is no established format. It could be a power point presentation, lecture, art, or any form which inspires the student to share his/her knowledge about the subject matter.

Note: The student must notify the instructor the chosen topic and the method of presentation before starting the project.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious matter and if a student is found plagiarizing he/she will receive a 0 for the assignment. If the whole project/paper has been plagiarized the student will fail the class (will receive an F) and disciplinary action will follow.

Ethics is fundamental to build character therefore if the student is found cheating he/she will get a 0 in the assignment and disciplinary action will also follow.

What follows is Florida International University’s Code of Academic Integrity as it appears at:

 

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This Code of Academic Integrity was adopted by the Student Government Association on November 28, 2001 and reflects the values articulated in the Student Code of Standards. Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning. Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of Florida International University.

Pledge

As a student of this university:

I will be honest in my academic endeavors.

I will not represent someone else’s work as my own.

I will not cheat, nor will I aid in another’s cheating.

All students are deemed by the University to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Academic Misconduct procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the Student Handbo

 

Grading Policy

Final exam 30%

Group Project 20%

Journaling (Workbook) 15%

Reflection Paper 15%

Participation 10%

Attendance 10%

100%

The final exam will be cumulative.

Extra Credit Option: A 5-8 pages paper on the film The Rabbit Hole or The Sea Inside.

A 95-100 C 72-75

A- 91-94 C- 69-71

B+ 88-90 D+ 67-68

B 83-87 D 63-66

B- 79-82 F 0-62

C+ 76-78

Class Schedule:

Every class will start with a reflection on the subject matter. This class will be very meaningful and you will find yourself appreciating your life more after learning about death and dying.

Week One (Jan 14) Introduction. Historical Perspectives and

Sociocultural Factors, Chapters 1&2.

Week Two (Jan 21) Cultural Perspectives, Chapter 3

Week Three (Jan 28) Religious Perspectives: Judaism, Christianity,

Chapter 14. .

Week Four (Feb4) Religious Perspectives (Cont.) Hinduism,

Islam, Buddhism, Chapter 14

Week Five (Feb 11) Developmental Issues, Chapter 10.

Week Six (Feb 18) The Rabbit Hole (film), Reflection

Week Seven (Feb 25) Grief, Loss and Bereavement, Chapter 8

Week Eight (Mar 3) Funeral Practices, Chapter 10

Week Nine (Mar 10) Field Trip

MARCH 12-17 SPRING BREAK

Week 10 (Mar 24) Death Education Future Implications,

Chapter 15

Week 11 (Mar 31) Health Care System/Terminal

Illness, Chapters 4 & 5 & 6.

Week 12 (April 7) Suicide, Chapter 12 Chapter 7

End-of-Life Decisions,

Week 13 (April 14) The Sea Inside (Film)

Week 14 (April 21) Final Reflection. Paper Due.

Week 15 (April 28) Final Exam

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