SOC 314 Death and Dying

3 Credit(s) CS PGR

This course explores the social and cultural aspects of death, dying, and bereavement in their sociocultural, interpersonal, and personal context. The course surveys key theoretical perspectives, historical and cross-cultural comparisons, and major studies in the field of human mortality. Among the topics to be discussed in this class include; the process and social management of dying and death; bereavement and grief over the life course; functions of the funeral; the social institutions that are part of the death process (hospital, church, funeral home, and the family); euthanasia and death-related ethical debates; fomation of children’s perception of death; and homicide and suicide. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: SOC110 or SOC201