The objectives of this course are (1) to examine the role of loss, grief, and death in human lives, through an exploration of psychotherapeutic and religious responses to these issues; and (2) to provide you with an opportunity to create your own framework to deal with death and loss in your life.

"CP" refers to Course Package
"S" refers to Stearns: Living Through Personal Crisis
"RK": Robert Kastenbaum: Death, Society and Human Experience 4th Ed.
"TH": Tom Harpur: Life After Death
[ ] indicate optional background readings
(RSV) means 'On Reserve'

1. Jan. 8 Introduction to the Course: Loss and Death as Essential Parts of Human Life.

   Film: Truly Madly Deeply (Part 1)

2. Jan. 15 The Process of Grieving a Loss S:1-74

   Film: Truly Madly Deeply (Part 2) RK:Preface; 1-24; 311-324

3. Jan. 22 Dealing with Death of Family members; RK:324-332; 336-346; 266-273 (1) Spousal Death [C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed or View Video: Shadowlands]

   (2) Parental Death CP: Moss and Dane articles.

4. Jan. 29 Obstacles and Variations in the S:75-170

   Grieving Process Briggs Myers

5. Feb. 5 Children and Death RK:147-170; 322-336; S:185-188
6. Feb. 12 (1) Processes of Dying RK:79-112
   [Callwood: Twelve Weeks in Spring]

   (2) Panel on Death and Loss [RK:25-78]
   [40 word project proposal is due.]>

7. Reading Week - February 17-21
8. Feb. 26 Coming to Terms with Suicide: RK:223-256, and handouts RE313

   Film: A Promise Broken

9. Mar. 5 Christian Aproach to Death and Burial Rituals RK:277-310

   TH:103-125; 162-173 [126-161]

   [Project is due.]

10. Mar. 12
11. Mar. 12 (1) Near Death Experiences and Other TH:13-103
    Evidence for Life After Death RK:401-428

    (2) Introduction to Religious Beliefs ["Is there life after death" in Related to Death and Dying: Opposing Viewpoints [RSV]]

12. Mar. 18 Jewish Beliefs About Death TH:213-218; CP: The Jewish Way and Life after Death in Death and Mourning.

    Religion and Attitudes to Death: TH:153-161; 199-212

    Reincarnation and Hindu and Buddhist RK:99-100; 330-331; 420-421

    Traditions

    [Details of final exam available.]

13. Apr. 2 (1) Aids and Society: Presentation and RK:137-145, esp. 145-166

    Film: The Legacy of John Gates, AIDS [Callwood:Jim: A Life with Activisit Aids].

    (2) Conclusion S:171-178

Grading will be based on these considerations:

20% Participation in the class process

40% Project

40% Final Examination

Responsibilities

1. If you anticipate being absent from any class please submit the dates and details on paper of the conflicting commitment by week
2. Supply a passport size photograph attached to the top left hand corner of the filing card given to you and return in week 2.
3. Collect and return your name tag at class, to ensure you get credit for your participation.

There are two aspects to contributing to the process of the class. One is 'being there' so that you can pick up on the additional information available in the lectures and issues raised in the large and small group discussions. The other aspect is active participation through responding to the issues raised by class-mates and presentations and audio-visual material.

I like to acknowledge individual variations in learning style and so if you would like to reduce this aspect of the grade to 10%, you may opt in writing, no later than the end of class 2, to write a 750 word book report, due at class 9. If you wish your contribution to class process to not count at all toward your grade you may submit two book reports of 750 words each, the first being due at class 4b; the second by week 9.

Project. The focus and method of the project is a matter of your choice, but should fall within the scope of the course. A list of possible topics will be available at week 3, but do not feel restricted to these. The project is due by week 8. A proposed title and 40 word description is required by week 5>. I recommend that you discuss the proposal with me in a scheduled project meeting. In order that I may give fuller feedback on your project submit a blank cassette tape with your name on it, (take it out of its box, insert in an envelope, that is stapled to your project) on which I can record my comments to you.

The final exam will last 2 hours and consist of three essay questions. If you wish, you may select your own topic for one of the three questions, (called a "personal option"). If you take this option, you should submit a topic for approval and 40 word proposal at week 11. Further details concerning the final exam will be available at week 10.

http://www.wlu.ca/~wwwaar/syllabi/grief_death_dying-ross.html

Latest update: August 02, 2002
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