Section I: Death and Dying
Directions: The following schedule contains discussion topics for each day of class. After each class date you will find the topic and a link to the article we will be discussing that day. In some cases, there is more than one article for the class discussion. Obtain copies of all articles and have them read before corresponding class discussions. Make sure to critically evaluate the methods, theory, arguments, and conclusions as you prepare for class. (Where links are unavailable, reference entries are listed instead, and I will provide you with copies of those articles prior to that class day.)
Week 1
January 7: Orientation
What can we really expect from healthcare reform?
Week 2
January 12: Consulting physicians in euthanasia
January 14: Attitudes toward brain death
Week 3
January 19: Marginalized populations
Vitalism Revitalized
Cross-cultural research
January 21: Religious fundamentalism and faith-based medical refusals
Week 4
January 26: College students' attitudes of end-of-life decision making
Weiss, G., L., & Lupkin, L. N. (2009). First year college students’ attitudes about end of life
decision making. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 60, 2, 143-163. doi:10.2190/OM.60.2.c
January 28: Role of religion in death attitudes
Week 5
February 2: Fear of death
February 4: Cross-cultural comparisons of death anxiety
Week 6
February 9: Mourning and meaning
Neimeyer, R. A., Prigerson, H. G., & Davies, B. (2002). Mourning and meaning. American Behavioral Scientist, 46(2), 235-251. doi:10.1177/000276402236676
February 11: Cross-cultural perspectives of the meaning of death
Walker, A. C. (2009). Muscogee Creek spirituality and meaning of death. Omega, Journal of Death and Dying, 59, 129-146. doi:10.2190/OM.59.2.c
Week 7
February 16: Re-constructing meaning after a death loss
February 18: Making sense of loss; meaning making at the end of life
Week 8
February 23: Student presentation
February 25: Mid-term review
Week 9
March 2: Mid-Term Exam: Death and Dying