Walking with the Dead: An Interdisciplinary Perspective on Death and Dying

Catalog description

An interdisciplinary journey through human responses to death and dying from historical, mythological, religious, philosophical, sociological, cultural, and biological perspectives. Emphasizes the comparison of social, political, and cross-cultural meanings and practices regarding death. Investigates the evolving way in which world cultures have understood the problem of death, dying, and grief through works of literature, history, art, and philosophy. Issues addressed may include: attitudes, beliefs, and meanings of death and dying across religions/cultures; the dying process; living with dying; the American health care system; hospice care; end-of-life decisions; suicide; euthanasia and other biomedical issues; and grief, mourning, the funeral process and cultural norms. 54.00 hours lecture. (Same as PHI-18) (Letter grade only)