D&D Syllabus
HEALTH EDUCATION 3190
DEATH AND DYING
Tuesday 6:00 - 9:00 PM
MBH #113
Spring Semester 2005
Instructor: Tawna Skousen
Telephone: 363-1978, 652-1399; leave message
Email: tawna@skousen.name
Fax: 328-8452
Office Hours: By appointment
Web address: www.skousen.name
Required Text:
DeSpelder, L.A., & Stickland, A.L. (2005). The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying. 7th edition. McGraw-Hill.
Description: This course is designed to explore and acquire knowledge concerning topics related to death and dying. The stages of grief, the dying process, and coping mechanisms will be discussed. The student is encouraged to (1) have an open mind, (2) be willing to explore feelings and concerns related to death and dying, (3) develop critical thinking skills, and (4) recognize that living a quality life often comes from exploring and acknowledging death and dying issues.
Course Requirements:
1. Attendance and Participation. Your participation is essential for everyone's learning. Come prepared with thoughts and questions from your readings to participate in small and large group discussions with other class members. Because of in-class assignments and guest speakers, attendance is of great importance.
2. Thought/Reaction Papers. You will be asked to reflect and write on the issues discussed in class and generated by your readings. These are due at the beginning of class. You must have attended the class for the paper to be accepted and graded. One make-up reaction paper will be accepted, if negotiated with me and with the stipulation presented in class.
Papers should follow the following format:
Each paper should be 1-2 pages in length, typed, double-spaced.
Headings must include your name, the date and the topic of the class attended. Also indicate the Reaction Paper #___.
Clearly state (number, bold, or bullet) one-three specific topics/thoughts/ideas you are reacting to. Agree or disagree and/or point out concepts that were important, using quotes or concepts from the book, the speaker, and/or class discussions; add any past experiences and feelings that validate your reaction.
3. In-Class, Take-Home, and Field Trip Assignments: These assignments will be completed throughout the semester, as there will be various group and individual processes. Some assignments will be graded. Other exercises may be assigned for discussion purposes, not for a grade. The assignments will be graded for completeness and quality of effort (thought processes demonstrated in the exercises). The points for each exercise will be determined by the instructor. In-class assignments can not be made up. Field trip assignments can not be made up; however, they will be accepted up to one week late, with points deducted for each day late.
4. Special Project. Options for the special project will be explained in class.
Course Policies:
1. Evaluation of work will be based on expected college level of written and analytical thought.
2. Please make sure your name, date, and assignment title are on every paper handed in.
3. You should read all assigned readings before the beginning of class and be prepared to discuss them during class sessions. I reserve the right to give unannounced quizzes if I feel that you are unprepared for discussions.
4. Class disruptions (i.e. excessive talking) will not be tolerated. When you interfere with the learning environment, you will be asked to leave.
5. PLEASE BE ON TIME.
6. If absent, you are responsible for any take-home assignments and lecture material.
7. We will be discussing some difficult and possibly controversial material. Please be respectful and receptive to all differing ideas and perspectives. There will be guest speakers who will present their views. There will be no effort on the part of the instructor to censor information. Therefore, it is likely that speakers will discuss their relationship to God. You are expected to listen, evaluate and form opinions, but not debate with the speakers. You are, however, encouraged to ask questions to obtain clarity and understanding.
8. Be true to yourself and share your opinions; they are of great value. I look forward to learning from all of you.
9. Please feel free to discuss any difficulties or concerns with me in a timely manner (meetings by appointment, email, telephone).
Grading:
Reaction Papers....
...
...60 points
Worksheets/quizzes...........
.
.
75 points
Assignments (group, field trips, project)...
.....75 points
Participation
.......
..........15 points
TOTAL 225 points
A 93 to 100% (210-225) B 83 to 86% (187-195) C 73 to 75% (164-170) D 63 to 65% (142-147)
A- 90 to 92% (203-209) B- 80 to 82% (180-186) C- 70 to 72% (157-163) D- 60 to 62% (135-141)
B+ 87 to 89% (196-202) C+ 76 to 79% (171-179) D+ 66 to 69% (148-156) Fail Below 60% (0-134)
POINTS:
Reaction Papers
|
Worksheets /
Quizzes
|
Assignments:
Field Trips; Project;
Group work
|
Participation
|
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
|
W1 (10)
Q1 (15)
W2 (10)
Q2 (15)
W3 (10)
Q3 (15)
|
Cemetery (20)
Mortuary (20)
Special Project (25)
Group work (10)
|
|
total
|
total
|
total
|
total
|
GRAND TOTAL _____________
Tuesday -- Tentative Schedule: Topics/Dates May Change
Topic Due at start of class Assignments
1/11
|
Introduction, Syllabus
Chapter 1: Attitudes toward death
|
|
For next week:
 Read Chapter 1Intake assessmentsGroup prep |
1/18
|
Chapter 1: Attitudes toward death
[cont. from last week]
|
Group work
Intake assessments
|
For next week:
Read Chapter 3Group prep |
1/25
|
Chapter 3: Perspectives on death
Video:
|
Group work, cont.
|
For next week:
Read Chapter 4 |
2/1
|
Chapter 4: Health Care Systems
Guest Speaker: Flo Wineriter
|
|
For next week:
Read chapter 5Reaction on today's class |
2/8
|
Chapter 5: Death systems
Video: Before I Die
|
Thought/Reaction Paper 1 (based on 2/1 class)
|
For next week:
Read chapter 14Worksheets 1 Quiz 1 Cemetery Visit Paper |
2/15
|
Chapter 14: Beyond death/after life
Guest Speaker: Terry Pavia
|
Cemetery Visit Paper
Worksheets 1 due
Quiz 1 (1,3,4,5,14)
|
For next week:
Read Chapter 8Reaction on today's class |
2/22
|
Chapter 8: Understanding experience of Loss
Guest Speaker: Steve Mikita
Video:
|
Thought/Reaction Paper 2 (based on 2/15 class)
Mortuary Visit sign-up
|
For next week:
Read Chapter 7 Reaction on today's class |
3/1
|
Chapter 7: End of Life issues
Guest Speaker(s): Hospice For Utah
|
Thought/Reaction Paper 3 (based on 2/22 class)
Mortuary Visit sign-up
|
For next week
Read Chapter 9Reaction on today's class Mortuary Visit |
3/8
|
Mortuary Visit
Chapter 9: Last rites: Funerals and Body Disposition
|
Thought/Reaction Paper 4 (based on 3/1 class)
|
For next class:
Read Chapter 12Mortuary Visit paper |
3/22
|
Chapter 7, cont.
Video: Living Wills
Chapter 12: Suicide
Guest Speaker:
|
Mortuary Visit Paper
|
For next week:
Read Chapter 13Worksheets 2 Quiz 2 |
3/29
|
Chapter 13: Risks of death
Video:
|
Worksheets 2
Quiz 2 (7,8,9,12)
|
For next week:
Read Chapter 6
Special Project
|
4/5
|
6. Facing Death
Guest Panel: Criscell Paskett
Kermit Heid
Kristy & Randy Petru
|
Special Project due
|
For next week:
Reaction on today's class
Read Chapter 15
|
4/12
|
Chapter 15: The Path Ahead
Guest Speaker: Michelle Thomas
|
Thought/Reaction Paper 5 (based on 4/5 class)
|
For next week:
Reaction on today's class
|
4/19
|
Recap:
Video
|
Thought/Reaction Paper 6 (based on 4/12 class)
|
For next week:
Worksheets 2
Quiz 3
|
4/26
|
Video:
|
Worksheets 3
Quiz 3 (6,13,15)
Extra Credit
|
|
Disclaimer: This syllabus is intended to be an accurate representation of requirements. However, I reserve the right to change the requirements, point totals, or other aspects of this class based on any of the following: class attendance, progress, or participation; natural or unnatural disasters; possible unforeseen events, opportunities, and/or whims.