Death and Dying

E1, 2005-2006

Syllabus

 

Introduction

Death is the ultimate experience, and our approach and attitudes towards death say much about our approach to life. In this course we will explore our own feelings, thoughts, and beliefs about death, and will look at the viewpoints of others. We will examine our topic from many viewpoints, including medical, psychological, spiritual, practical and economic perspectives. As a seminar, the class will involve reading and text-based discussion. As more than a seminar, the class will include field trips, activities and exercises, and other assignments.

 

Essential Question

How is death the ultimate expression of how you live?

 

Activities

The central activity of this course is seminar discussion. We will be discussing a variety of texts and media, as given below. In addition, we will participate in in-class activities and field trips. We will also use poetry as an expression of and response to our work in class.  Students will have some opportunity to work on their journals in class, but most work will be done out of class.

 

Assessment

The grade in this course will be determined by a combination of assignments as follows:

 

Seminar Discussion

Every seminar is evaluated using our discussion rubric (enclosed with this syllabus). The total and average of your discussion grades from each seminar gives your total seminar grade.

 

Poetry Journal

Each student will complete a poetry response journal. The idea of this journal is to provide students with a media for expressing their viewpoints and responses based on our discussions, activities, and seminars. Some poems will have assigned formats or general topics. Other poems will be free selection.

 

In summary, the assignments and values of the assignments in this class are as follows:

 

Seminar (16)                                                                  75%

            Referencing Text                             15%

            Asking Questions                                 15%

            Understanding Perspectives                 15%

            Making Connections                             15%

            Participation                                         15%

Poetry Journal                                                              25%

TOTAL                                                                      100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule

 

 

September                    8 Th                 Course Introduction / Poetry Excercise

                                    9 Fr                  Will / Obituary

 

                                    12 Mo               How We Die Seminar I

                                    13 Tu                The Seventh Seal

                                    15 Th                The Seventh Seal

                                    16 Fr                How We Die Seminar 2

 

                                    19 Mo               What on Earth do you do When Someone Dies? Seminar

                                    20 Tu                Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts Seminar I

                                    22 Th                Six Feet Under Episode

                                    23 Fr                Corpses, Coffins & Crypts Seminar 2

 

                                    26 Mo               Field Trip – Everly Funeral Home

                                    27 Tu                Death in Art Discussion

                                    29 Th                Stiff Seminar

                                    30 Fr                Defending Your Life

 

October                                    3 Mo                Defending Your Life

                                    4 Tu                 Tuesdays With Morrie Seminar

                                    6 Th                 Tuesdays With Morrie Video

                                    7 Fr                  Tuesdays With Morrie Video

 

                                    10 Mo               Death Be Not Proud Seminar

                                    11 Tu                Moyers on Dying Video

                                    13 Th                Music Listenings  / Aphorisms

                                    14 Fr                Museum of Mourning Arts Field Trip (8 AM)

 

                                    17 Mo               Reading on Life after Death

                                    18 Tu               

                                    20 Th                Field Trip to Cemetery / Tombstone Etchings

                                    21 Fr                TBD

 

                                    24 Mo               TBD

                                    25 Tu                TBD

                                    27 Th                Day of the Dead Preparation

                                    28 Fr                Day of the Dead Preparation

 

                                    31 Mo               Day of the Dead Celebration

1 Tu                        Final Day / Wrap -up

3 Th                        Exhibitions

4 Fri                        Exhibitions

 

 

Skill Level	C – Satisfactory	C + / B – Improving	B + / A – Quality	A + Notable	PTS	Earned
Referencing Text	Student stays on topic and speaks to the topics and issues raised in the text. Student demonstrates through conversation that they have read the text.	Student refers to text in order to make a point. Student uses an example from the text, refers to a certain scene or conversation, etc.	Student directly refers to text (giving location, page #, etc.) and reads the text aloud in discussion. Student addresses the topics raised in the text without digressing into their own topics.	Student demonstrates familiarity with the text, and uses multiple references, both direct and indirect, to build arguments.
Politeness	Student does not interrupt. Student does not engage in side conversation.	Student is attentive and focused on the speaker.	Student shows with eyes, body, and posture that they are focused and interested in the conversation.	Student extends opportunities for quieter seminar members to talk.
Participation and Quantity of Conversation	Student speaks in almost every seminar. Student does not speak excessively (i.e. not consistently more than anyone else).	Student is a continuing presence in seminar dialogue – not merely providing the occasional disconnected remark. Student avoids defensive conversation (promotes the best ideas as opposed to taking personal stake in their own idea.) Student does not continue to speak once their point is made. Student refrains from leaving tail-end comments hanging.	Student demonstrates ability to self-censor. Student demonstrates an ability to listen without feeling required to respond. Student does not have to be prompted for additional information. Student is a regular and appropriately restrained participant. Student is able to take in ideas and evaluate them objectively. Student makes clear points with a minimum of explanation and additional verbiage.	Student is a regular and active member in seminar conversation. Student demonstrates ability to select speech for appropriateness and quality. Student makes clear, concise contributions.
Asking Questions	Student is able to ask questions that clarify another student's statement, or that request additional information where needed.	Student is able to ask probing questions that cause another student to think more deeply about what they have said.	Student is able to ask questions that shed new light on what another student has said, or questions that get to the essence of another student's point.	Student is able to ask quality clarifying and probing questions on a consistent basis.
Understanding and Appreciating Different Perspectives	Student is able to express personal opinions. Student recognizes that other points of view are possible.	Student is able to describe aspects of other perspectives and points of view. Student can enumerate qualities of a differing point of view.	Student is able to defend and address a multiplicity of perspectives. Student is able to play "devil's-advocate" where appropriate.	Student combines and synthesizes perspectives of other students. Student mediates between ideas. Student is able to develop new and daring perspectives and to express them clearly.
Communicates Effectively	Student speaks audibly and clearly.	Student expresses whole thoughts and complete perspectives. Student provides the listener with necessary information to understand the thoughts expressed.	Student is able to prior-organize statements before making them. Student does not repeat their points, except where this is necessary for clarification or emphasis.	Student is able to be convincing of others with their own expressed thoughts. Student style of presentation clarifies and enhances the content of their statements.

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Total:

Socratic Seminar - "Death and Dying"

Reading Guide

How We Die

 

 

Assignment: Read the Introduction and Chapters 1-4 of How We Die

 

Discussion Question: Do American's have a realistic image of death?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find three quotes in the reading that will assist you in making your point:

 

 

Passage #1: ______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Passage #2: ______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Passage #3: ______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

Socratic Seminar - "Death and Dying"

Reading Guide

How We Die II

 

 

Assignment: Read Chapters 5-7, 12 of How We Die and watch the Moyers on Death video.

 

Discussion Question: Do the dying have responsibilities to the living, and the do the living have responsibilities to the dying?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Find three quotes in the reading that will assist you in making your point:

 

 

Passage #1: ______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Passage #2: ______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Passage #3: ______________________________________________________________

 ________________________________________________________________________