Course Syllabus

Teaching and Learning form the mission of Bethany College

Psychology of Death & Dying

PSY 188

Credit hours: 3
Class meeting time(s): TTH 12:30 – 1:50pm
Prerequisite Course(s): None

Meanings are not determined by situations, but we determine ourselves by the

meanings we give situations. ~Alfred Adler

Instructor(s): Diane Snyder

Contact Information: dsnyder@bethanywv.edu
412-916-1509
Office Location: 204B – Kirkpatrick Hall
Office Hours: MW 12:00 – 3:00pm

I. Rationale: The course will provide you with a general understanding of issues
concerned with death, the process of dying, and with grieving. This course fulfills the
college’s Liberal Arts Core requirement “L3” – Human Behavior.

II. Course Description (catalogue): This course is an examination of various topics in

the area of death and dying, including attitudes toward death, stages of dying, grief and
mourning, children and death, funeral practices, the hospice movement, euthanasia,
suicide, and immortality. The emphasis is on learning to live a deeper, more meaningful
life through the exploration of death.

III. Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course you will:
1. Develop an understanding of how thoughts and feelings about death develop
from a lived experience.
2. Increase knowledge of (potential loss/death) issues such as grief, mourning,
impact of culture and belief system, long-term illness vs. sudden death, suicide,
homicide, and terrorism.
3. Develop an understanding of the differences in the ways people respond to the
challenges of grieving, mourning and dying.
4. Acquire the knowledge and application of skills which are useful in supporting the
grieving and or dying person.

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5. Increase understanding of the cross cultural aspects of death and dying.

6. Develop an awareness your feelings about loss, grief and death issues.

You will demonstrate these outcomes through:

1. Written Assignments
2. in-class exercises and discussion
3. Oral Presentations

IV. Format and Procedures:

This course is primarily a discussion based and experiential course. Course
material will be presented through lecture, discussion, activities, guest speakers, and
field trips. For this reason, attendance and participation is MANDATORY. You must
attend the class in order to learn the material. In addition to attendance, you are
expected to actively participate in the course. We will be discussing issues related to
grief and death, and I expect you to share your thoughts and feelings on the topic.
Please be aware that we will be dealing with sensitive topics in this course and I expect
that you will treat each other with respect and care. If at any point, you find yourself
being emotionally upset or overwhelmed, please talk to me immediately.

We will have several guest speakers visiting the class, and I expect you to ask
questions and actively engage with the speakers. Additionally, it is vital that you
show up on time for classes, so as not to interrupt the speakers with a late
arrival. Guest speakers are our guests, and I expect you to silence all cell phones
and to give the speaker your utmost attention.

You will be writing several papers throughout the course. Two of the papers are based
on novels that you will read. You are expected to read those novels outside of class. I
expect you to manage your time appropriately, so that you complete the reading and
allow yourself enough time to write your papers. One paper is a research paper. I
expect you to select your topic early in the course, so that you will have plenty of time to
conduct your research and complete your paper. Additionally, you will work with a
partner and present your research in an oral presentation to the class.

Please be aware that our class schedule is tentative and will likely change throughout
the semester. Because we are dealing with guest speakers and outside agencies, I will
adjust our schedule as needed to accommodate theirs.

V. My Assumptions: I assume that this course can be useful no matter what your
major may be. Whether you are majoring in the physical sciences, natural sciences, or

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humanities, you will be dealing with other people in your professional and personal life.
This course will assist you in this never ending process of human interaction.

VI. Course Requirements:

1. Attendance and participation: Attendance is mandatory. You must be present and
are actively participate in order to learn the material.
2. Late Work Policy:
Any late assignments will be assessed a 5 point deduction per day late. No
assignments will be accepted more than 1 week past the due date.
3. Required Texts:
Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom
The Last Lecture, by Randy Pausch

VII. Grading, Evaluation and Assessment Procedures, including Grading Scale:

1. Class Attendance and Participation 50 pts.

2. Tuesdays with Morrie paper 25 pts.
3. Memory Box 15 pts.
4. Culture Presentation 30 pts.
5. Culture Paper 50 pts.
6. The Last Lecture paper 30 pts.

Grading Scale: standards of college (see College Catalogue)

Description of Assignments:

Tuesdays with Morrie Assignment

You are required to read the book Tuesdays with Morrie. You are to identify, think
critically about, and analyze three key relationships that evolve in Morrie’s life. In this
analysis, discuss the messages that emerge about life, dying, and death. Paper must
include:
• APA style Title page
• APA style References page, listing the book as a reference
• 5 pages total – (Title page, 3 pages of text, References page)

Culture Paper
You are required to explore a belief system other than your own. A paper of 8 -10
pages (total) will be written providing an overview of the belief system, a discussion of

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dying and death rituals as they are viewed from that belief system, a discussion of how
this belief system compares to your own. This paper must be typed (double spaced)
and include APA style citations and bibliography. Paper must include:
• APA style Title page
• APA style Reference page
• Minimum of 3 scholarly sources, e.g. journal articles, books. The only
internet sources that are appropriate are .gov. .edu sources. Wikipedia is
NOT acceptable.
• Include
o Overview of belief system
o Death and dying rituals
o How this belief system compares to your own
• 8 – 10 pages total (Title page, 6-8 pages of text, References page)

Culture Presentation
Working with a partner, you will present the information from your culture paper to the
class. Design a PowerPoint or Prezi presentation. Be sure the slides are visually
appealing. Plan on a 10-15 minute presentation. You will complete the presentation
with a partner but the paper on your own.

The Last Lecture Paper

You are required to read the book, The Last Lecture. The paper will include:
• APA style Title Page
• APA style Reference page (citing the book)
• 5-7 pages total (Title page, 3-5 pages of text, References page)
• Discuss
o Why has this book struck a chord with so many people?
o What are my dreams and how might I achieve them?
o What wisdom would I choose to impart if this was my last lecture?

Note: All papers must be submitted through Canvas Any paper not submitted
through Canvas will receive a zero.

Memory Box Assignment

You will create a memory box in honor or in memory of a loss. Additional design
instructions will be given in class. This is an exercise that can be useful in working with
people who are grieving and are not comfortable with verbally expressing feelings.
Memory boxes will be shared in a poster style setting during class.

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VII. Academic Honesty

According to the guidelines of the Bethany College Catalogue, plagiarism on papers will
not be tolerated. Plagiarism is considered copying information directly from a source
without properly citing that information or directly copying information from another
student’s paper.

IX. Behavioral Expectations, Classroom Etiquette

It is expected that students behave in an appropriate manner while in this classroom. I

like to maintain an open, positive, atmosphere in class which is in part fostered by
mature student behavior.

DO:
• Listen in class, to the instructor and to other students
• Pay attention
• Participate appropriately
• Show respect and courtesy toward others
• Show interest and enthusiasm
• Arrive on time
• Take notes
• Behave like an adult
• Turn off cell phones before entering the classroom
• Keep cell phone out of sight during class – not texting or checking messages
• Take the seat closest to the door if you are late

DO NOT:
• Talk while I or another student is talking
• Talk during a video
• Exhibit inappropriate, disruptive, or disrespectful behavior
• Pack up before class has been dismissed

X. Electronic Communication and Course Management

Students are expected to check their campus e-mail accounts daily. I will communicate
with students via email. This course will be managed by Canvas. Be sure to enroll in
our Canvas course and check the Canvas site regularly.

XI. Title IX Disclosure

Under federal law, I am a mandated reporter of suspected discrimination. Please do not
share anything regarding sexual harassment or discrimination with me if you wish to

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keep it expressly confidential. The only Bethany College employees who are not
mandated reporters are our Chaplain and our Counselor. Please see the College’s Title
IX policy in Volume II of the Policy Manual for more details. A hard copy can be
obtained in the Office of Student Life, or an electronic copy can be found on the
College’s website.

XII. Accommodations for students with disabilities

In compliance with the Bethany College policy and equal access laws, I am available to
discuss appropriate academic accommodations that may be required for students with
disabilities. Requests for academic accommodations are to be made during the first
three weeks of the semester, except for unusual circumstances, so arrangements can
be made.

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XIII. Course Schedule:

Date Topic Assignment Due

Week 1
T Jan. 15 Introduction to Course
Th Jan. 17 Grief & Bereavement Defined

Week 2
T Jan. 22 Stages of Death & Dying
Th Jan. 24 Complicated Mourning/Disenfranchised Grief

Week 3
T Jan. 29 Attachment Theory: Implications for Grief
Th Jan. 31 Childhood and Death

Week 4
T Feb. 5 Adolescence and Young Adulthood Morrie paper Due
Th Feb. 7 Adulthood

Week 5
T Feb. 12 Elder Years
Th Feb. 14 Morrie Video

Week 6
T Feb 19 Active Listening & Support
Th Feb 21 Guest Speaker: EMT

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Week 7
T Feb. 26 Guest Speaker: Muslim Death Rituals
Th Feb. 28 NO CLASS

Week 8
T Mar 5 Guest Speaker: Hospice
Th Mar. 7 Guest Speaker: Organ Donation
Week 9
Mar 12 & 14 Culture Presentations
Mar. 14 Culture Paper Due
Week 10
Mar 19 & 21 Spring Break – NO CLASS

Week 11
T Mar 26 Memory Boxes
Th Mar 28 Field Trip: Funeral Home

Week 12
T Apr 2 Culture Presentations
Th Apr 4 Scholar Symposium

Week 13
T Apr 9 Culture Presentations
Th Apr 11 Guest Speaker: The Caring Place

Week 14
T Apr 16 Suicide

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Th Apr 18 Guest speaker: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Week 15

T Apr 23 Randy Pausch video

Th Apr 25 Assisted Suicide

Week 16

T Apr 30 End of Life Decision Making

Th May 2 Course Wrap-Up

Week 17
W May 8 10:00am Last Lecture paper due Submit on Canvas
No Late Final Papers will be Accepted for any reason

Note: This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

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