MSWK630

This course is both an introduction to the study of thanatology (death and dying) andan opportunity to focus on questions surrounding life anddeath. As such, the course will examine the historical evolution of the socio-cultural influences that shape the current attitudes and practices of our death-related experiences.As we explore these death-related issues, we will utilize aninterdisciplinary approach examining contributions from sociology, theology, medicine, psychology, philosophy andother relevant practices. The specific topics of each session will cover: cultural diversity in death and loss, the American death system, living with life-threatening illness, the dying process, bereavement, traumatic loss, caregiving, ethical dilemmas, children and death, and suicide. Oftentimes, the study of thanatology begins a personaljourney as we explore concepts surrounding death and understand the relationship to our life experiences, death-related experiences, andour own mortality.