This course examines the phenomenon of death in modern society, with a special emphasis on implications for older persons. Issues such as the meaning of death, the dying process, survivorship, and suicide are treated.
Special attention is paid to the role of the professional in death education.
This course is designed to increase content knowledge and personal awareness of issues relating to aging, death and bereavement. Facts and theories will be learned with the goal of deepening students' personal understanding of death and strengthening their practice as educators and human service professionals. Participants will achieve a wider and deeper understanding of the 'death system,' from its historical, psychological and sociological perspectives. Participants will be able to critically discuss questions and concerns about death that relate to everyday living. Participants will learn how death and bereavement affect the lives of older persons.