Sociology 4120-001; 5120-001
Death and Dying
4:00 – 6:50 Wednesday
Tennessee Tech University
Fall, 2008
Classroom: Matthew/Daniels 204
The Five Remembrances –
1. I am of the nature to grow old. There is no way to
escape growing old. I cannot escape old age.
2. I am of the nature to have ill health. There is no
way to escape ill health. I cannot escape sickness.
3. I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape
death. I cannot escape death.
4. All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the
nature to change. Everyone and everything I love, I
will one day have to leave behind. I cannot escape
this. There is no way to escape being separated
from them.
5. I inherit the results of my actions in body, speech
and mind. My actions are the ground on which I
stand. I am the heir of my own actions. Only my
actions will follow me.
-Buddhist tradition
Dr. Lachelle Norris, Associate Professor of Sociology
Office: Matthew/Daniels Room 258
Phone: 372-6220
Email: Lnorris@tntech.edu
Office Hours: Monday/Wednesday 9:00am – 12:00pm
Monday 1:30pm – 5:00pm
Other times by appointment. There may be times during these office hours when I’ll have an
occasional meeting. I’ll make every effort to let these times be known beforehand, if possible, or
at least try to leave a note on the door. Please feel free to contact me to schedule an
appointment if these times do not work for you.
Course Description
This course examines the social and cultural dimensions of death and dying in American
society with emphasis on the meaning of death, the death industry, the social context of death
and dying, and bereavement. We will also be taking an in-depth look at our own thoughts and
feelings on death and dying.
Course Objectives
 To increase our knowledge of death and dying by examining the main issues and
questions surrounding this topic.
 To examine historical and socio-cultural forces on our understanding of death and dying.
 To become more aware of the current issues regarding developments in areas such as
Hospice, palliative medicine, care-giving, and end of life decision-making.
 To engage in a constructive process of self-discovery, by examining diverse points of
view and reflecting on our own emotions and beliefs regarding death and dying.
Required Texts:
A Year to Live: How to Live This Year As If It Were Your Last (1997) by Steven Levine. ISBN:
0-609-80194-5
The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying, 8th edition (2009) by Lynne Ann DeSpelder
and Albert Lee Strickland. McGraw-Hill. ISBN: 978-0-07-340546-9
No Death, No Fear (2002) by Thich Nhat Hanh. Penguin Books. ISBN: 1-57322-333-6
Course Requirements
You will be required to do the following in a satisfactory manner:
1) Weekly quizzes…you will be given a weekly quiz over the materials assigned for that
week. Most likely these will be short answer however, they might also be multiple
choice, essay, or a combination of the three. You should have no problem with these if
you have read the material. There will be no makeup quizzes if you should be absent.
You will, however, be allowed to drop your lowest quiz.
2) Journal…this assignment is an absolute necessity for this class. You must stay caught
up and up to date. I will be requiring 1) at least one personal entry per week reflecting
your thoughts, emotions, etc., 2) your posting for the Death/Dying Forum (About.com),
3) homework assignments that have been collected when due, then returned to you. This
journal will record your thoughts and feelings about the topics being discussed in class,
and provide you with a place to reflect throughout the semester. The journal will be
collected and graded at least twice during the course of the semester (and maybe more). I
will not only grade your journals for completion of entries, but also on time, effort,
creativity, and seriousness (see below). (200 points possible for journal)
Suggestions for journals:
a) Stick to the topic in some way…I urge you to feel free to write with openness and
honesty (I will be the only one to read your journal) and draw connections
between your own life and the topics we will be discussing. However, you must
make some connection in your entry to a death and dying-ish topic in some way.
b) Be neat and orderly…Type your entries and save them on the computer (that way
you have a backup in case your journal gets misplaced, stolen, etc). Organize
your journal in a way that is beneficial to you, clear to me, most logically by
week.
c) Keep your returned homework assignments in your journal
d) You may write as often as you like, but at least one personal reflective entry
must be included per week. This should be at least one typed page in length,
double spaced.
e) Do not forget to print off a copy of the posting you make for the About.com
death/dying forum! Remember, the personal entry and the forum posting are
the two requirements each week and these are in addition to your homework
assignment (I will, however, allow you to comment on the homework
assignment if you so decide).
f) Be creative!…This is important: include outside information, articles, news
clippings, websites, poems, etc. that strike you as relevant. Consider your journal
your repository of all things death and dying-ish. This will make a difference in
your journal receiving a grade of C or B/A. I strongly suggest that you collect
this outside material on something beneficial or of interest to you personally. It
will be yours to keep after the semester is over.
g) As we go there may be a need for me to make additional suggestions or
requirements….another good reason to attend class (see below)
Evaluation of Journals:
"A" = journal contains the required entry and forum posting per week that are wellwritten and of decent length plus creativity … articles, news clippings, websites, etc.,
anything that strikes you as relevant to the topic. Students with the most outstanding
journals will receive the most credit. Above average effort!
"B" = this journal contains the two required elements per week, also well-written, with
perhaps some additional information, but does not show as much effort as “A” work
"C" = journal contains the two required elements per week only
"D" = journal does not contain the required number of entries, and/or entries are
too brief and poorly written, and not well thought out; little if any creativity
“F” = not acceptable
3) Completion of Homework Assignments… Another absolute necessity for this course.
Most weeks you will have a homework assignment to complete, write about, and often
discuss with the class. These are necessary to complete as we make this final journey
together. Don’t forget to address or answer all of the different parts of the assignment.
Then have them completed by the time the class begins. Your work must be typed. Take
these seriously if you do want to participate fully in this adventure.
4) Finally, if you are taking this course for graduate credit (SOC 5120) please see me
sometime during the first week of class so that we might work out an agreement on what
you can do to fulfill additional requirements for this course.
Course Evaluation
Your grade will be determined by the number of points you receive divided by the total number
of points you can earn.
Quizzes (13 @ 20 points; 240 points possible . . . 38% of total course grade)
Journal (2 @ 100 points; 200 points possible . . . 31% of total course grade)
Homework (13 @ 15 points; 195 points possible . . . 31% of total course grade)
Your final grade will be calculated by taking the total number of points you have received
divided by the total number of points possible (approximately 635). Your final grade will be
based on the following:
90 – 100 % = A
80 – 89% = B
70 – 79% = C
60 – 69% = D
59% or below = F
Other Course Policies
Do not miss the quizzes. The quizzes will begin at the beginning of the class. If you are absent
for a quiz, you cannot make the quiz up. As stated earlier, you may drop your lowest quiz.
Please contact me at your earliest possible convenience if an emergency arises resulting in your
having to miss a significant amount of class. We’ll work something out. Please arrive on time.
If you arrive after the quiz has started I may not allow you to take the quiz so please be prompt.
Be prepared when you come to class. Have assignments read and any homework ready to turn in
or discuss at the beginning of class. Unless otherwise noted, homework assignments must be
typed. If I find you working on your assignment in class you will receive a zero for that
assignment. You must stay up with your journal entries, or this project will not work. I may
take up your journals unannounced so please bring them to each class session. No late journals
will be accepted if you are absent on the day I collect them unless you have a written verifiable
excuse.
Class Attendance according to the TTU handbook
“A student is expected to attend each meeting of every class for which he/she is registered.
Each instructor is responsible for explaining, in writing, the practice in the treatment of
absences at the beginning of each course. Regular class attendance is a definite part of the
total performance required for the satisfactory completion of any course, and an
unsatisfactory attendance record may adversely affect the final grade recorded for the course.
When, in the opinion of the instructor, the attendance record of a student becomes
unsatisfactory, the Office of Student Affairs will be notified. Unsatisfactory class attendance
may result in the student's being dropped from a course with a grade of "F." A student who is
unable to return to classes due to an emergency or serious accident should notify the Office
of Student Affairs. A student who cannot avoid an absence from a class for any other reason
is expected to assume the responsibility of explaining his absence to the instructor and for
making arrangements to complete the work missed. Tardiness is recorded as an absence.”
This class only meets once a week, so one absence is a week of class. You cannot make up the
quizzes. More than all this, you will miss out on a huge aspect of this course if you do not
attend. Your presence and interaction with your classmates tends to be one of the most
memorable aspects of this class. To encourage your attendance, I will deduct 3 points from your
final grade for every class missed (1 point for each hour). I am also required to report your last
day of attendance should you stop coming to class. This may affect your financial aid.
I realize that there may be events occur in your personal life that might affect how you feel
about sitting through a class on death and dying. I am sensitive to this. If this becomes the
case, please let me know. We will make arrangements to meet outside of class to cover the
time not spent in class. You will be required to make alternative arrangements with me in
order to receive a grade for this course.
[The fine print] - Please act in a professional manner while in class:
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Arrive to class on time...it is disrespectful to me and to your classmates when you arrive
late OR leave early. Please tell me if there’s been an emergency or some such other thing
that makes you late, or requires you to leave early.
We will be discussing some potentially sensitive and provocative issues in this class.
Please allow everyone to have their say if they so wish. Respect each other’s right to
voice opinion, even if you don’t necessarily agree with the point of view being expressed.
This course may generate lots of emotion and discussion. This is great, but be sensitive
and aware of others. I hope the shy ones amongst us will feel comfortable enough to
speak out and join the discussion; those of you who might be a bit more vocal, remember
to give others a chance! And when someone is talking, please pay attention to what
they’re saying. You might want to respond or at least consider their words.
It is just plain rude to sleep in class or talk with your classmates or use a cell phone
while the rest of us are trying to concentrate. Prepare to be asked to leave.
This has only recently become an issue, but I must ask that you please limit your
leaving class during class to emergencies only. We will be taking a break during the
evening for restroom, smoke, phone business, etc. It gets disruptive when folks just up
and leave. Remember, points will be deducted from your final grade average should you
leave early.
Remember to turn off/sounds off all cell phones and pagers when coming to class; same
goes for iPods and other such devices. PLEASE, do not check or send text messages or
play games on your phone during class. Do not use your cell phone in any way while
taking a quiz. You will receive a grade of 0 for the quiz if this happens.
You should not need your laptop computer during class time. Please do not have your
laptop up and running during class, unless working on a group project that requires it.
Academic Integrity: Academic honesty is expected of all students in their participation of this
course. Any form of academic dishonesty (cheating on quizzes, copying the work of someone
else, plagiarism, faking the homework assignments, etc.) will result in your receiving a zero (0)
for the work. You will receive a zero for the assignment/quiz, etc and additional actions may be
taken.
Disability Services: Students who need assistance with class should notify me immediately and
should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS). An Accommodation Request (AR)
should be completed as soon as possible, preferably by the end of the first week of the course. I
will do anything necessary to assist in making the course comfortable for you. The ODS is
located in the Roaden University Center, Room 112; phone 372-6119.
Kids/Pets in Class: I realize that some of you may be parents as well as students, and that there
are times when it is necessary to either bring your child to class or skip the class. Occasionally
bringing a child with you to one of my classes usually doesn’t present a problem as long as they
are not disruptive or contagious. Just get in touch with me if you find yourself in this situation.
And here’s a new one: same goes for pets. Again, ask first. One of your classmates may suffer
from dreadful pet allergies. I must warn, however, that some topics or discussions in this course
may not be suitable for young ones (of both varieties).
Inclement Weather: Tech rarely closes for snow but use good judgment; do not risk your life.
We’ll keep an eye on the weather and try to leave a bit early should things start to get ugly with
the weather. And I will make every attempt to email you if I cannot make it to class, so check
your email before starting out if there’s any room for doubt. I will not be in the classroom in the
event of a tornado warning. Find a safety zone, preferably in the basement of Matthews/Daniel
Hall if you are in this area.
And finally: More than any other class I offer, you truly will get out of this what you are willing
to put into it. The work to be done will require your self motivation, honesty, determination, an
open mind, and a willingness to try new things. We will be talking about and working with the
information offered in the three books as well as other material provided that might be provided.
I will warn you: This topic is intense and it is not unusual for the material in this course to
stir up intense emotions! If you find that you are uncomfortable, or find you are having
difficulty with the subject matter, emotionally or otherwise, please do not hesitate to talk with
me. You might even consider contacting someone at the Counseling Center (RUC-307, X-3331)
if you find yourself troubled by the emotions or reactions you have during the semester. Don’t
suffer in silence, and don’t just stop coming to class.
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
(subject to revision as necessary)
Spend time on these homework assignments. Type up your response in essay format and have
prepared to turn in at the beginning of the class session due. Some of these assignments will
take some time, so don’t wait until the night before due to begin!
Week 1: August 27 -- Introduction to the topic
 Finding out where we are
 Sign up for forum and newsletter on About.Com/Death/Dying (see attachment to this
syllabus)
 In class writing assignment
Week 2: September 3 -- Attitudes toward Death
Reading Assignments:
Prologue and Ch 1 (LD); Ch 19 (YL)1
Homework Assignment (two parts; type up your response to both):
1) Calculate how long you will live by clicking on both
http://www.nmfn.com/tn/learnctr--lifeevents--longevity and
http://www.deathclock.com/. Print off the pages that contains your “date” to attach to
this week’s homework. What were the dates and how old will you be? How did the
two sites differ? What are your initial thoughts upon learning how long you will live?
What do you think most affects your “death date?” What could you change to
prolong your life? Would you really want to do extend your life if you could?
2) Read Chapter 19 in YL. What is your current state of mind right now, today, in
general? What is your state of mind regarding death and dying? What emotions did
you experience this week knowing you have (now less than) 101 days to live? Write
a brief letter to yourself describing your state of mind. Discuss any fears, inhibitions,
uncertainties, joys, happiness, etc. you currently have in general AND regarding this
course and what might obstruct your ability to examine “death and dying” more
honestly.
Week 3: September 10 -- Learning about Death: The Influences of Sociocultural Forces
Reading Assignments:
Ch 2 (LD); Chs 1-3 (YL)
Homework Assignment:
1) What do you think is the value of a one-year (or in our case, 101 days)
process/commitment to dealing with death? Can we do this in one semester? Do you
think YOU can do it? What will be your biggest challenges? What does it mean to
you personally to prepare for death? What factors (life experiences, family or
religious beliefs, etc) do you believe have influenced how you deal with this whole
death thing (in other words, how have your friends and family typically dealt with
this topic)? Type your response to these questions to turn in tonight.
1
LD = reading found in Last Dance textbook; YL = A Year to Live; NDNF = No Death, No Fear
Week 4: September 17 – Perspective on Death: Cultural and Historical
Reading Assignments:
Ch 3 (LD); Chs 4 – 7, 10, 11 (YL); Foreward and Ch 1, 2 (NDNF)
Homework Assignment (3 parts; type up your responses to all parts to turn in tonight):
1) What do you think are the greatest “last words?” Why do you think that way?
2) Are you fearful of fear? How do you tend to act/react when facing a fearful situation?
From here on we will be practicing what Levine calls “soft belly meditation”2 once a
week (see page 32 in YL). What were your thoughts on this first meditation
experience? What did you feel physically? Emotionally? What are your fears about
death and dying? What are your fears about life? Are there differences in fearing
dying and fearing death? How do these fears differ from fear of living? Practice the
fear contemplation exercise on page 50 (YL) and write about your feelings and
experience.
Week 5: September 24 -- Beyond Death and After Life
Reading Assignments:
Ch 14 (LD); Chs 8, 9 (YL); Chs 3 (NFND)
Homework Assignment (2 parts for tonight):
1) You are to practice mindfulness this week. You have been given instruction on this
beforehand, and you have read the first section of Peace Is Every Step (handout I will
provide in class the week before). Sometime during this past week you should have
tried at least three of the meditations found in this handout, or you might have come
up with your own. Write your response to the following: What exercises did you
attempt? Why did you pick the meditation exercise that you did? What was the
experience like for you? What were your initial thoughts and feelings while being
‘mindful?’ In general, what do you tend to do to avoid “discomfort” in your life?
2) Do something this week that you have always wanted to do, but never have. Type up
what you did, and explain why you picked that. Do this intentionally, not by accident
Week 6: October 1 – Death Systems: Mortality and Society
Reading Assignments:
Ch 4 (LD); Chs 12 – 15 (YL)
Homework Assignment:
1) Find that safe place (home or elsewhere) and practice the dying meditation found pp.
62-66 in YL. How was your experience? What are you now thinking about dying,
death, and what might come afterward? From here on out, try to wake each
morning as though it were your last day on earth (some have put a sign of sorts
next to their alarm clock, on their coffee maker, etc. to help with this). Type up your
thoughts/feelings after having done this for a few days to turn in for tonight.
Week 7: October 8 -- Health Care Issues
Reading Assignments:
Ch 5 (LD)
Homework Assignment:
2
Some folks find it helpful to tape or record these mediations and play them while practicing. Or it might be fun to
have someone read them to you…
1) Identify what is most important to you should you find yourself needing hospice and
palliative care. What are your needs physically? Emotionally and psychologically?
Spiritually? Socially? How do you think these needs can/will best be met?
Week 8: October 15 (No Class: Fall Break): This is your last Fall Break. What did you do?
Regardless of what you find yourself doing, greet each day of this brief break as if it were your
last. Type up a summary to turn in as part of your homework assignment when we return to
class on October 22.
Week 9: October 22 -- End of Life Issues and Decisions
Reading Assignments:
Ch 6 (LD); Ch 9 (NFND)
Homework Assignment (2 parts; be prepared to turn both in tonight):
1) For tonight, you will need to type up your will. This is not the same as a “living
will,” although we will be talking about those tonight, also. You do not have to use
any fancy software to construct a will, in fact I’d rather you didn’t. Just simply write
down how you wish your most precious possessions be distributed (i.e. who gets what
and why)? Can you ‘let go’ of your possessions? What’s causing you the most
anxiety right now, if you are experiencing it? (We’ll be visited by Monica Bowman
and Marie Ferran tonight, both experts in this area so bring any questions you might
have about wills and last testaments; in fact, Marie can answer any legal questions
you might have, and Monica can notarize a living will if you decide to do so)
2) Without telling them why, do something nice for somebody or some group. You
cannot be paid for this. Write about what you did and why you picked this act of
kindness.
3) Don’t forget to turn in your summary of your Fall Break tonight.
Week 10: October 29 -- Facing Death – Living with Life Threatening Illness
Reading Assignments:
Ch 7 (LD); Ch 16, 17, 18 (YL); Ch 9 (NFND)
Homework Assignment:
1) After reading your assignment in “Year to Live,” review your life. Reflect on events
and people in your past, especially those you feel were of special significance for some
reason. What memories surface?3 Follow the process as described on pp. 82-86. Who
or what are the significant moments in your life and why are they significant? Reflect on
the reading in Chapter 17….are there people you would like to forgive? Are there those
from whom you’d like to seek forgiveness? Finally, after reading Chapter 18, attempt
the gratitude contemplation on page 96. What are you most grateful for? Is there
someone you would like to thank? If you had one last chance to tell the important people
in your life one thing each, what would it be? Is it possible to make peace with our lives
at this point? What or who is preventing you from doing so, if not? Type up a summary
of this reflective work to turn in tonight.
3
If these are particularly traumatic do not force them.
Week 11: November 5 -- Last Rites
Reading Assignments:
Ch 8 (LD); Ch 33 (YL); field trip tonight
Homework Assignment (3 parts; type all three to submit tonight):
1) How would you prefer your body be disposed of at your death? What is traditional
for your family, your friends? Are your wishes the same, different as theirs?
2) Construct your funeral or memorial service, typing up all the details. How much
would you want to spend on this? You may be as creative as you like: songs, poems,
scripture, etc. Will you leave a videotape, a letter or poem for those who will remain
behind? How are you feeling about “letting go” of your family, your friends, your
socially approved of identity? How would you describe your feelings as you do this
(some people have a tough time with this one)? Are you experiencing ‘grief?’
3) Sometime this week, attempt the “Dead for a Day” practice (or at least for a few
hours). This is otherwise known as the “It’s a Wonderful Life” experiment. Well?
What would be different had you never been born? This is hard. Give it some
thought … it helps to work backward.
Week 12: November 12 -- Survivors: Understanding Loss
Reading Assignments:
Ch 9, 11 (LD); Chs 20 – 32 (YL); Ch 4, 5, 6 (NFND)
Homework Assignment:
1) Build a remembrance altar in your home or dorm room (this makes more sense after
you’ve read Chapter 20 in YL so read this chapter first).
2) For tonight, bring one item from your remembrance altar to share with the group
because we will be constructing a group altar in class tonight. Write up a brief
description of what you have brought and why.
Week 13: November 22 – “I don’t know what to say!” Death in the Lives of Children
Reading Assignments:
Ch 10 (LD); Chs 34, 35, 36 (YL); Ch 7 (NFND)
Homework Assignment:
1) For tonight, write your own eulogy. First, visit this site for more information on what
eulogies are and how to write one:
http://dying.about.com/od/eulogies/ht/write_eulogy.htm . Do not make stuff up. Write
with honesty and sincerity. What would like others to know about you once you are
gone?
2) At the end of this chapter in LD you will find lists of children’s books that pertain to
death related topics. Your mission is to find one of these books and bring it to class
tonight. You don’t have to buy the book. Check our library or the public library.
Interlibrary loan might be an option if you get on this quickly enough. You may also
bring in a book not on these lists, if you find one. But you will have to bring a book to
get credit.
Week 14: November 26 -- Suicide and other such matters
Reading Assignments:
Ch 12 (LD); Chs 23, 38 (YL)
Homework Assignment:
1) Thanksgiving is November 27. You may or may not be able to “go home,” but
wherever you find yourself, make a serious effort to consciously spend time with
family and friends. What did you do? What was the experience like? Type up your
summary to turn in on December 3.
2) Redo the gratitude contemplation on page 96 of “Year to Live.”
Week 15: December 3 – Threats of Horrendous Death while Touching the Earth
Reading Assignments:
Ch 13 (LD), Ch 37 (YL), Ch 8 (NDNF).
Homework Assignment:
1) Think of a “disaster” or case of “horrendous death” of which you are familiar. How
close or distant did you feel to the event? What criteria did you use for establishing
distance (geographic? chronological? etc.) Have you known anyone personally who
has been killed in such a way? Have you or anyone you have known survived a
disaster or threat of death? What “skills” do you possess that you think might help in
the event of a local disaster/emergency? Type up your responses to these questions
for tonight.
2) Again practice the body-sensation sweeping practice (pp. 104-105) and the dying
mediation (pp. 62-66) in YL. Say goodbye to loved ones in the center of your heart.
Thank your body for its perseverance under difficult circumstances you may’ve
encountered thus far in your life. Have mercy on your body. With kindness and
clarity say farewell to this life and prepare for the renewal of death. Create your own
heart song and death chant (instructions on this found in chapter 37 of YL) Write up
a summary of this exercise and include your “song” or “chant.”
Final: December 5 -- Our due date has arrived. We will meet at 6 pm this evening for your
“final exam.”
Assignment for the Final:
1) Read Ch 15 (LD), Ch 39 (YL)
2) Are there any “last things” you need to do? Any unfinished business before tonight?
This is your final chance.
Signing up for the About.com Death and Dying Forum
1st – go to http://dying.about.com
2nd – click on “Forums” in the left hand column
3rd - you’re there! Register for free. Then let me know what your username is. I will be the
only one who knows. I will not tell anyone else in the class who you are. Of course you can use
your “real” name if you want, but you might decide that a little anonymity is a good thing.
4th – there’s a lot of info to be found on this website…some might be of use for your journal
This all now falls under the “palliative care” topic. That is what will come up when you go to
the site above, so don’t be alarmed. You are in the right place.
There are rules posted by the Guide (and yes, someone does monitor this site) but let me provide
you with some rules of my own, based on prior experience with this:
1. Take this very seriously but don’t be scared by it. I know you are not an expert on
terminal illness, grief, bereavement, or other issues that might pop up on this forum.
That’s ok. Chances are the folks reading and responding to your postings are not, either.
However, post with decorum and seriousness. And with your heart – you have good
things to say so don’t hesitate to share with others but do so with honesty and integrity.
You may be doing this for a class, but this is “real life” for many participating in this
forum. You may find that this becomes very real for you, also.
2. You may encounter some really bizarre or troubled individuals in this forum. Most
experiences that your past classmates have had have been fine, enlightening and even
enjoyable, but on rare occasion you’ll get a response or read a post that is really out there,
or one that hurts your feelings, or worries you. Some may try to antagonize you. In the
case of those just trying to stir up trouble, ignore them and usually they go away. If the
problem persists, tell the moderator. She will restrict them and remove their posts from
the site if they are offensive. If a particular response or reaction bothers you or makes
you feel guilty for some reason, please tell me and we’ll deal with it together. If you find
one topic to be troublesome for you, pick another or start your own. There are many
options here.
3. Don’t forget to print off your post each week for your journal.