PSYC 211 Psychology of Death and Dying

This course explores many facets of the personal experiences of death and how they apply to appreciating life. These facets include: bereavement, grief, and mourning; attitudes, beliefs, and tasks surrounding the event of death; and the effects of mortality on identity.

Credits

3

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

45

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

PSYC 211Psychology of Death and Dying

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

Social Science

II. Course Specification

Course Type

Program Requirement

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

Credit Hours Narrative

3

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

45

Grading Method

Letter grade

Repeatable

N

III. Catalog Course Description

This course explores many facets of the personal experiences of death and how they apply to appreciating life. These facets include: bereavement, grief, and mourning; attitudes, beliefs, and tasks surrounding the event of death; and the effects of mortality on identity.

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  • Describe the chaotic interdependencies of bereavement, grief, and mourning
  • Describe the attitudes, beliefs, and tasks surrounding the event of death;
  • Explain the role attachment plays in bereavement, grief, and mourning;
  • Describe how each of the previous objectives are affected by culture and lifespan
  • Decribe the effects of mortality on identity including suicidality

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

understand the chaotic interdependencies of bereavement, grief, and mourning; become familiar with attitudes, beliefs, and tasks surrounding the event of death; understand the role attachment plays in bereavement, grief, and mourning; understand how each of the previous objectives are affected by culture; understand how each of the previous objectives differ across the lifespan; and understand the effects of mortality on identity including suicidality.

VI. Delivery Methodologies

Required Assignments

Attitudes, beliefs, and tasks relating to death and dying Theories of responses to death and dying (viz., Corr, Kübler-Ross, Worden, etc.) including attachment (viz., Bowlby) Developmental psychological theories that can address responses to death and dying (viz., Erikson, Freud, Piaget, Speece & Brent, etc.) Multi-cultural perspectives relating to death and dying Suicide as a specific psychological topic

Required Exams

At least one introspective paper At least one objective, academic paper

Required Activities

Corr, ., & Corr, . (2013) Death and Dying, Life and Living (7th ed.) (ISBN: 978-1-133-31594-0)

Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements

Attitudes, beliefs, and tasks relating to death and dying Theories of responses to death and dying (viz., Corr, Kübler-Ross, Worden, etc.) including attachment (viz., Bowlby) Developmental psychological theories that can address responses to death and dying (viz., Erikson, Freud, Piaget, Speece & Brent, etc.) Multi-cultural perspectives relating to death and dying Suicide as a specific psychological topic At least one introspective paper At least one objective, academic paper Corr, ., & Corr, . (2013) Death and Dying, Life and Living (7th ed.) (ISBN: 978-1-133-31594-0)