Spring 2020: ANT 455 Anthropology of Death & Dying

Final Exam

Due: Friday, May 8 by 11:59 pm to D2L Assignment Dropbox

Value: 60 points

Format
 No larger than 10 pt Times New Roman font
 1.5 line spacing. No extra spacing after lines/paragraphs. Check default settings.
 Submit as .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rft or .txt. Do not upload as .googledoc or .pages

Dr. Kuba reserves the right to not accept late submissions.

If D2L is being problematic, email file to Dr. Kuba ASAP. You can confirm that D2L
has received your submission by revisiting the dropbox or looking for the email
confirmation, which may end up in your Outlook Clutter file.

Part # 1
The student will share his/her thoughts on material related to this course. Students can respond to things
brought up in class, the readings, and during discussions, experiences from his/her personal life, read about
in other books, reactions to things about death/dying seen on tv/movies or other classes, etc.

It is an opportunity for the student to reflect upon course materials in a less formal, and less public fashion.
Please note: only write about things you are comfortable sharing with Dr. Kuba.

The student will include a reflection of how the theme of death/dying ties in with the student’s major or
intended career and the student’s perceptions about death in his/her culture.

Your response must be at least 2 full pages long.

Part #2
Students will listen to one of following classical music requiems:
• Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dp2SJN4UiE4
• Verdi’s Misa da Requiem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iBaI2fgH7A
• Faure’s Requiem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnQl18sVyig

Regarding Mozart’s Requiem:

Mozart’s famous reuiem had been commissioned by Count Franz von Qalsegg, who had wanted to
commemorate the death of his wife. It has been stated that Mozart told people he often felt he was writing
this requiem for himself regarding his own death. Mozart did die before the piece was completed. The piece
was finished by other composers, at the request of Mozart’s own wife. It was first performed in 1793.

Regarding Verdi’s Requiem:

Verdi wrote this requiem for a Catholic funeral mass in honor of an Italian poet and novelist whom he greatly
admired, Alessandro Manzoni. It was first performed in 1874.

Regarding Faure’s Requiem:

First premiering in 1888, Faure allegedly did not have a particular purpose to composing this requiem; some
had speculated it was writing in honor of his parents. It is described as a shortened Catholic Mass for the
Dead. Its focus is on consolation and eternal rest.

What you will write about:

The requia are long pieces of classical museic. Listen to at least 30 minutes of the requiem you selected,
allowing you to hear several movements. Keep track of the thoughts you have as you listen to this piece,
knowing that it is written to commemorate the death of someone.
Address each of the following questions:
o Have you heard this music (or parts of this music) before?
▪ Are you a fan of classical music? Do you think being a fan of this musical style
enhances your ability to be “moved” by it? Or not being a classical music fan interfere
with your ability to be moved by it? Please explain.
o Why do you think music is such an integral part of death, funerals, etc. in nearly every
culture? Explain.
o Listening to this particular music, what ideas/images/feelings have you experienced? Please
explain and discuss. You may want to listen to the music first just to get the feel for it. And
then listen to it again to focus on how it makes you feel or the images it brings to mind.
Humor me…..I won’t accept “I don’t think/feel of anything from this music.
Approach it with an open mind.
o Think of your personal musical preferences. Is there a specific genre or song(s) that have
special meaning to you when you think of a loved one…..or….just from the experience of
hearing about someone else’s loss as apparent in the lyrics or musical phrasing strike a chord
with you and made you share in their loss? Explain.
o If you were to compile a playlist of music/songs to provide comfort, represent your grief,
and/or celebrate the life of someone lost, what songs would that playlist contain? Explain the
rationale behind each selection.

This component should be a minimum of 1.5 pages in length.