Course Syllabus

PHILOSOPHY 013—PERSPECTIVES ON DEATH AND DYING

Section 3792

MW—9:30-10:50 a.m., Soc. 10

Rebecca Hertsgaard, Instructor

rhertsgaard@collegeofthedesert.edu  

 

Instructor phone:  760-346-8011 x 5776

Cell:  (714) 624-2359 (for texting only)

Office hours:  By arrangement

 

TEXT:  The Last Dance:  Encountering Death and Dying

Tenth edition, by Lynne Ann DeSpelder and Albert Lee Strickland

                                        

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The study of the phase of life that is death is concerned with questions that have their roots at the center of human experience.  These questions are often avoided as we go about the process of living our lives, for several reasons:  They are painful; they often evoke some perhaps deeply seated fears about the end of life; they lead us into a place of “the unknown”; and, often, we don’t care to contemplate how our own death will occur.  This course will highlight some of those main questions, in order that our understanding will increase and, perhaps, lead us together on a journey of personal discovery.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To unearth some of the reasons we think about death and dying, and to explicate some of the questions we ask about this “ultimate” phase of our lives.
2. To discuss attitudes toward death and dying; to learn how sociocultural forces influence our concepts of death.
3. To study cross-cultural funerary customs and traditions in order to highlight how death is perceived around the globe.
4. To take a closer look at how healthcare systems manage this phase of life.
5. To study medical ethics and the moral issues surrounding death, including how medical personnel define and determine death.
6. To study how people cope with life-threatening illnesses and make their own end-of-life decisions.
7. To understand how survivors understand and cope with the experience of loss.
8. To understand a child’s view of, and attitude toward, death.
9. To discuss some issues and perspectives surrounding suicide.
10. To understand the impact of the risks of death in the modern world, and their aftermath:  Disasters; violence; war; terrorism; epidemics such as AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
11. To discuss beliefs about life after death.
12. To discuss how we live with the prospect of death and dying.
13. To understand how death is handled by professionals in our society.

 

 

 

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Summarize and discuss salient examples of cross-cultural attitudes and practices regarding death and dying.
2. Summarize and discuss salient examples of religious and secular beliefs about life after death.
3. Discuss and evaluate the moral implications of suicide and euthanasia.

 

Student Responsibilities

1. You must stay current with any assigned reading. The readings will be discussed in as much depth as possible in the time we have.  CHECK FOR ANY ASSIGNMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS ON CANVAS.
2. You will be responsible for participating in class discussion. Pertinent questions and opinions are welcomed in class.  Reports on current events as they pertain to our discussion are always a wonderful addition. 
3. Respect for your fellow classmates and your instructor is paramount in fostering a safe environment for learning and lively class discussion.
4. In this class we will share a lot of personal and emotional experiences. Please don’t be afraid to share your feelings—what is said in this classroom stays in this classroom.  Because discussions can often touch others very deeply, please know that I, and your fellow classmates, will do everything we can to honor your feelings.
5. Please know that I consider my classroom a safe zone.
6. If you need to miss a class you will need to notify me as soon as possible at the above e-mail address in order to be excused. Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence.  If you have three unexcused absences before I turn in my final census I will drop you.  After that you are responsible for your attendance.  Multiple unexcused absences will certainly affect your grade.
7. I do not respond well to tardiness; it is disrespectful, both to me and to your classmates, particularly in a class such as this, which deals with very sensitive topics. If you have signed up for this class you need to commit yourself to arriving on time.  I take roll at the beginning of class.  If you are not in the classroom when roll is taken, you will be considered tardy.  If you leave before class ends you will be given an unexcused absence, unless you have informed me of your reason for leaving before class begins.  If you have multiple instances of tardiness I will assume that being on time to this class is not important to you, which will most likely lead to a discussion about whether you wish to continue in the class. 
8. Power down and put your cell phones on “silent” during class. If you MUST take or make a phone call, do it outside.  If I find that you are texting I’ll ask for your phone.  You should be able to deal without texting for 80 minutes.  Your computer may be used, but if I see you IM’ing, playing games, or otherwise not using it for this class, you will be asked to turn it off.
9. Earbuds or headphones: Take them off.  Seriously—this should go without saying.

 

Instructor Responsibilities

1. I will make every effort to provide a safe and stimulating learning environment.
2. I will grade your papers and return them to you in a timely manner.
3. I will be available whenever I can to help you or to answer questions. As an adjunct I don’t have an office, but there are multiple places on campus in which we can meet.
4. I will respect you as an individual, and I will respect your opinions and convictions regarding religion and spirituality.

 

 

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING:

I will announce exam dates and due dates for the various papers you will be writing in plenty of time for you to prepare.  It is your responsibility to make sure you understand, and comply with, due dates.  You will be keeping a journal for this class, to record your thoughts and feelings. Your journal will be submitted several times during the semester, for which you will receive credit dependent upon the quality and extent of your journal entries.  Papers must be turned in on the announced due date.  Late papers will be downgraded one letter grade.  Make sure to print your papers in plenty of time.  You will be given plenty of guidance for all the projects listed below.

 

You will probably do a midterm exam and a final exam. 

 

If you miss an exam you will need to contact me promptly to arrange a make-up exam.  You will have only one class period in which to make up the exam.  THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UP FOR THE FINAL. 

           

PROJECTS YOU WILL BE COMPLETING

 

1. Journal                        
2. Will                                              
3. Advance Directive (Five Wishes)                      
4. Funeral                                         
5. Your “Legacy Letter”                
6. Field Trip (or essay)                                

 

PLAGIARISM:

 

If it is determined that plagiarism has occurred in any papers you submit, you will receive a zero for that paper, and, at my discretion, any future occurrence will be reported to the Dean and/or you may be dropped from the class. 

 

If it is determined that cheating has occurred on an exam, BOTH PARTIES will receive a zero for the exam, and, at my discretion, you may be dropped from the class.

Special Needs:

If you have a physical, psychiatric/emotional, medical, or learning disability that may impact your ability to carry out assigned course work, I urge you to contact the staff in the Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS) at 760-773-2534.  DSPS will review your concerns and determine, with you, what accommodations are necessary and appropriate.  All information and documentation is confidential. Please notify me if you are having problems getting the assistance you need.