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.
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]
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
45
Grading Method
Letter grade
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)