Special Topics Course Proposal Form
SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
SPECIAL TOPICS COURSE PROPOSAL FORM
ORIGINATING CAMPUS: ( ) Ammerman ( ) Eastern
( X ) Grant
Date Submitted to Campus Dean: _____02/2011_____
To meet the ideals of Suffolk County Community College, new courses should, if appropriate, consider issues arising
from elements of cultural diversity in areas of textbook choice, selection of library and audio-visual materials, and
teaching methodology.
Roma, we rushed to the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Capuchin Church of the Immaculate Conception
(1645), located on Via Veneto, near Barbarini Square
CAMPUS DEAN E-MAILS ENTIRE PROPOSAL PACKET TO THE COLLEGE CURRICULUM
COMMITTEE CHAIR AS A WORD DOCUMENT UPON ITS APPROVAL.
____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
PROCEDURES
1. Instructor downloads and drafts proposal and syllabus from Special Topics link on the Curriculum Website
2. Proposer sends the files (proposal and syllabus) electronically to the Academic Chair for distribution and support
from Academic Department.
3. Academic Chair initials the proposal upon approval and electronically forwards file and syllabus to the Campus
Dean.
4. Upon approval, the Campus Dean initials the proposal and electronically forwards file and syllabus to the College
Curriculum Committee Chair for posting on the Curriculum Website.
5. The College Curriculum Chair will electronically forward the files (including syllabus) to the College Associate Dean
for Curriculum and Assessment.
___________________________________________________________________________
Proposed by_Marc Fellenz________________
Date of Proposal__2/15/2011___
Department/Discipline__Arts and Humanities/Philosophy_______________________
Course #_PHL295_______
I.
Course Title_The Philosophy of Death and Dying___
RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENTS
A.
*Credit Hours__3__
Contact Hours_3___
Lecture Hours__3__
Lab/Studio Hours_____
*See Curriculum Website for Credit/Contact Hours Formula.
B.
Class Size
This course should run at 35 students, forcible by two, which is standard for all PHL
classes in the College catalog.
C.
II.
Course Fees
Lab Fees__NA___
Course Fees__NA___
RELATIONSHIP TO MASTER SCHEDULE
A.
**Proposed Semesters Course will run:
Fall_2011___
Winter_(yr.)____ Spring_(yr.)____
Summer_(yr.)____
ALL FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
9/2006
Special Topics Course Proposal Form
B.
**Projected Termination Date
Fall 2012___
Winter_(yr.)____
Spring_(yr.)_____ Summer_(yr.)____
**Special Topics courses may run for only two semesters. Upon the completion of the second semester, the
course must be withdrawn from the schedule unless it has been re-approved as a Special Topics course or
approved as a permanent course. Under no circumstances may a Special Topics course run for more than four
semesters.
III.
Rationale for Course:
The meaning and nature of death are amongst the most profound and important issues
discussed throughout the history of philosophy. Courses on the philosophy of death and
dying are part of the catalogs of many colleges and universities. The philosophy offerings
at the Grant campus are diverse, but consistently run at very high utilization. A course on
death and dying is also likely to run successfully, and will give our students the
opportunity to explore philosophical perspectives on topics that touch everyone’s
existence.
IV.
Description of Course:
At the dawn of Western philosophy, Plato famously declared that philosophy is “the
practice of death.” Ever since, philosophers have been acutely aware that reflection on
human mortality raises the most fundamental and urgent questions we can consider. In
this course, we will explore those questions and the answers proposed by traditional and
modern thinkers. Three principal themes will be explored: (1) the mystery of
consciousness and the prospect for personal immortality; (2) existentialism and the
authentic encounter with death; (3) the ethics of suicide, euthanasia, and life extension.
V.
Approvals
Department Approval___Marc Fellenz_
Date__2/16/2011___
Academic Chair
Campus Dean Approval_James M. Keane__Date________2/16/2011_______
Campus Dean
ALL FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
9/2006
Special Topics Course Proposal Form
SPECIAL TOPICS • COURSE SYLLABUS
I. Course Number and Title:
PHL295: Special Topics: The Philosophy of Death and Dying
II.
Description of Course:
At the dawn of Western philosophy, Plato famously declared that philosophy is “the
practice of death.” Ever since, philosophers have been acutely aware that reflection
on human mortality raises the most fundamental and urgent questions we can
consider. In this course, we will explore those questions and the answers proposed
by traditional and modern thinkers. Three principal themes will be explored: (1)
the mystery of consciousness and the prospect for personal immortality; (2)
existentialism and the authentic encounter with death; (3) the ethics of suicide,
euthanasia, and life extension.
III.
Course Objectives:
(What should students learn as a result of taking this course and how will they demonstrate that
learning?)
Upon completion of this course students will:
1. Understand the nature of philosophical inquiry and be able to explain how the
philosophical analysis of human mortality differs from religious, scientific and
artistic approaches;
2. Understand the “mind/body” problem and be able to think critically about the
arguments for dualism, materialism and personal immortality;
3. Understand various existentialist discussions of death and be able to critically
assess different conceptions of authentic human existence in the face of mortality;
4. Understand different ethical models and be able to apply them to moral arguments
concerning suicide, euthanasia and life extension.
IV.
Required Texts and Materials:
(List textbooks, newspapers, journals, Internet resources, CD-ROMS, Videos, other teaching materials
to be used in the course.)
Standard textbooks on the philosophy of death and dying are available (e.g.,
Vincent E. Barry, Philosophical Thinking about Death and Dying, Cengage, 2007).
However, the course may also be taught effectively by using electronic versions of
texts that are in the public domain and journal articles that are available through
the electronic databases to which the College library subscribes.
V.
Assessment of Student Learning:
(Describe assessment measures, i.e., instruments that measure the attainment of course objectives.)
ALL FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
9/2006
Special Topics Course Proposal Form
Standard assessment measures will be used, with an emphasis on written work—
including graded homework assignments, reading responses and term papers—and
active participation in classroom discussion.
VI.
Weekly Outline of Topics and Assignments:
Part I: Introduction:
Weeks 1 and 2: What is philosophy and why is death a philosophical problem? The
fundamental areas of philosophy and the relationship of each to questions about
death and dying. Reading: Montaigne, “That to Philosophize is to Learn to Die.”
Week 3: Religious and literary perspectives on death; philosophical issues these
approaches raise. Readings: Ecclesiastes and The Death of Ivan Ilyich.
Part II: Body, soul and immortality
Weeks 4 and 5: The mind/body problem: Traditional arguments for dualism and
materialist criticisms. Readings: Plato, Phaedo; Descartes, Meditations on First
Philosophy.
Week 6: Immortality: Assessing a posteriori arguments for life after death:
“psychic” phenomena, near death experiences, reincarnation. Philosophical
analysis of the prospect of resurrection. Readings: Essays by Audi, Plantinga and
VanInwagen.
Week 7: Meaning without immortality. Non-western models of selflessness:
Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism. Readings: Excerpts of classic texts in these
traditions. Term Paper #1 due.
Part III: Existentialism
Weeks 8 and 9: The existentialist analysis of human existence and its challenge to
traditional models. The concept of authenticity and its relationship to death.
Readings: Heidegger, Being and Time; Sartre, Being and Nothingness.
Weeks 10 and 11: Alternative perspectives in existentialist literature and nonsystematic philosophy. Readings: Miguel de Unamuno, The Tragic Sense of Life,
Sartre, “The Wall.” Term Paper #2 due.
Part IV: Ethics
Week 12: Suicide: Is suicide always a symptom of psychopathology? Is there a
possibility for “rational suicide”? Classical moral arguments against suicide.
Readings: excerpts from Kant and Mill.
Weeks 13 and 14: Euthanasia: When are medical efforts to extend life morally
objectionable? Is active euthanasia ever morally defensible? Is there ever a duty
to die? Readings: Essays by Rachels and Callahan.
Week 15: Life extension: Medical efforts at extending human life span and
achieving immortality. The “Singularity” and virtual immortality. Term Paper “3
due.
ALL FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY
9/2006
Suffolk County Community College, Michael J. Grant Campus
Department of Arts and Humanities
Prof. Marc Fellenz
Sagtikos 206
Office hours:
Monday/Wednesday, 12:30-1:45
Tuesday/Thursday, 2:00-3:15
Phone: 851-6411
Secretary: Sagtikos 201
Email: fellenm@sunysuffolk.edu
Web: http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/fellenm
PHL295
Special Topics:
The Philosophy of
Death and Dying
CRN _____
Fall 2011
I.
Course Description:
At the dawn of Western philosophy, Plato famously declared that philosophy is “the practice of
death.” Ever since, philosophers have been acutely aware that reflection on human mortality
raises the most fundamental and urgent questions we can consider. In this course, we will
explore those questions and the answers proposed by traditional and modern thinkers. Three
principal themes will be explored: (1) the mystery of consciousness and the prospect for
personal immortality; (2) existentialism and the authentic encounter with death; (3) the ethics
of suicide, euthanasia, and life extension.
A. Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course students will:




Understand the nature of philosophical inquiry and be able to explain how the
philosophical analysis of human mortality differs from religious, scientific and artistic
approaches;
Understand the “mind/body” problem and be able to think critically about the
arguments for dualism, materialism and personal immortality;
Understand various existentialist discussions of death and be able to critically assess
different conceptions of authentic human existence in the face of mortality;
Understand different ethical models and be able to apply them to moral arguments
concerning suicide, euthanasia and life extension.
Fellenz/ PHL295____/Fall 2011/ 1
I.
A.
Course Requirements
Required Texts:

B.
There is no print textbook for this class. All required readings will come
from primary texts in the public domain, quality Internet sources, and electronic
databases to which the SCCC library subscribes. The texts and links are available
on my website; you may print them or read them online as you wish. I also will
make hardcopies available for use in the library, but you are encouraged to have
either an electronic or hard copy with you in class.
Attendance:
 Because this class relies on active classroom discussion of the material, regular
attendance is very important for you to succeed. You will be withdrawn if
you have more than four absences; if you are not passing at the time you
last attended you will receive an F for the class. After mid-semester
(October 27), W’s will only be given if you provide a compelling reason for not
being able to complete the class.
C.
Graded Assignments:

Participation (20% of the final grade): "Participation" means active
participation, including initiating discussion, answering questions, and asking
questions of your own. Mere class attendance does not qualify as participation!

Homework assignments (roughly 10, worth a total of 20% of the final
grade): These will include several assignments in which you will analyze the
assigned readings or react to material presented in class. Each must be at least
one full page, typed, and will be graded on a scale of 0-2 points, based on quality
of writing and seriousness of effort. These assignments will be given without
prior announcement; they may not be made up if you miss them. Emailed
assignments will not be accepted.

Term Papers (3, each worth 20% of the final grade): Three term papers
are required. In each you will expand upon the ideas and arguments you begin
developing in your homework assignments and class discussions. They are
neither tests nor research projects (although research may be involved), but
thinking exercises that will be graded based upon the clarity and originality of
your thinking and writing; you must also demonstrate that you are responding to
the feedback I provide on your homework. Each Term Paper should be at least 5
pages in length. The due dates for the term papers are listed on the Semester
Schedule; late submissions will be penalized. The details of each assignment will
be announced later.
Fellenz/ PHL295____/Fall 2011/ 2
II. Class Policies
A.
Classroom decorum:

When class is in session there is to be no: text messaging/cell phone use; trips to
the snack machines; doing work unrelated to the class. You will be counted as
absent for any class in which you fail to follow these rules.

Some of the issues we will explore in this class are controversial and emotionally
charged. Nonetheless, students are expected to discuss the material with a
mature attitude and in the spirit of philosophical inquiry. Respectful language
and tolerance of opposing viewpoints are essential for such discussion to occur.
B.
Technology policy:

C.
Cell phones and similar electronic communication devices are to be
silenced and out of sight during class. Students may use portable
computing devices or e-readers in class for the purpose of taking notes or
reviewing the assigned readings in electronic form. The instructor reserves the
right to require computer users to occupy specific seats in the classroom so that
their activities may be monitored.
Email policy:

D.
As per College policy, students are expected to activate and maintain their SCCC
Live@edu email accounts. Any correspondence from me about this course will be
sent to those accounts, and it is your responsibility to check your account
regularly in order to receive it.
Student Accommodation: From the Disability Services website:

E.
“It is the college's responsibility to provide reasonable accommodations so that
students with a disability have the opportunity to participate in all classes,
activities and services open to the campus community. In order for this to
occur, students must register with the disability services counselor, request
special services in a timely manner, and provide acceptable documentation of
their disability. Services and accommodations will be determined on an
individual basis by the disability services counselor, based on all available
information.”
Academic honesty:

The accessibility of the Internet and other electronic research tools has made it
extremely easy for students to plagiarize —that is, to use the words and ideas of
others without attribution. Your work in this and all classes is expected to be
your own. Any student caught submitting plagiarized work will receive a failing
grade for the assignment, and will be referred to the Dean of Students for
academic discipline.
Fellenz/ PHL295____/Fall 2011/ 3
III.
Semester Schedule
Dates
8/30-9/8
Topic
Reading
Introduction: Philosophy and Death
What is philosophy and why is death a philosophical problem? The
fundamental areas of philosophy and the relationship of each to questions
about death and dying.
9/13-9/15
(9/20: no
class)
Science, Religion and Art
Medico-scientific definitions of death. Religious and literary perspectives
on death. Philosophical issues these approaches raise.
9/22-10/6 The Mind/Body Problem
(9/29: no The search for an ontological explanation of human consciousness and
class)
selfhood. Traditional arguments for anthropological dualism and
materialist criticisms offered against them.
10/1110/13
Immortality
10/1810/20
Meaning without Immortality
Ecclesiastes;
The Death of
Ivan Ilyich
Phaedo;
Meditations on
First
Philosophy
Essays by
Audi,
Assessing a posteriori arguments for life after death: “psychic”
phenomena, near death experiences, reincarnation. Philosophical analysis Plantinga and
VanInwagen.
of the prospect of resurrection.
Non-western models of selflessness: Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism.
Term Paper #1 due 10/20.
10/25-11/3
(October
27: Midsemester)
Montaigne,
“That to
Philosophize is
to Learn to
Die.”
Existentialism
The existentialist analysis of human existence and its challenge to
traditional models. The concept of authenticity and its relationship to
death.
11/8-11/17 Existentialism: Part 2
Alternative perspectives in existentialist literature and non-systematic
philosophy.
Excerpts:
Buddhist
canon; Dao De
Jing;
Upanishads
Being and
Time; Being
and
Nothingness
The Tragic
Sense of Life,
“The Wall.”
Suicide
11/2211/29
Is suicide always a symptom of psychopathology? Is there a possibility for
(11/24: no “rational suicide”? Classical moral arguments against suicide.
clas)
Term Paper #2 due 11/22.
Readings:
excerpts from
Hume, Kant
and Mill.
12/1-12/8
Essays by
Rachels and
Callahan
Euthanasia
When are medical efforts to extend life morally objectionable? Is active
euthanasia ever morally defensible? Is there ever a duty to die?.
12/1312/15
Life Extension
12/20
Last day of class: Term Paper #3 due.
12/21
College make-up Day (if needed)
Is immortality desirable? Medical efforts at extending human life span
and achieving immortality. The “Singularity” and virtual immortality.
Fellenz/ PHL295____/Fall 2011/ 4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Name_______________________________
I have received a copy of the course outline. The
course requirements have been explained to me and
I understand how my grade in this class will be
determined. I agree to abide by the conditions
described in the outline.
Sign___________________________
Date___________________________
Fellenz/ PHL295____/Fall 2011/ 5