TEXAS A&M University - Central Texas
SOC 421: Death and Dying
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Study and analysis of dying cultural practice in the United States; secondary reference to the dying
practices in selected countries of the world. Prerequisites: six semester hours of sociology, including
SOC 1301.
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor:
Class meeting time:
Office:
Office hours:
Phone:
Email address:
Dr. Alan Turley
ONLINE; On line Ofc Hrs T Th 4-7pm
217H
by arrangement
254-501-5873
a.turley@ct.tamus.edu best method!
GOALS & OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
1. To gain knowledge regarding the many facets of the dying process with special
emphasis on the nonphysical aspects of dying. MOD: Ch1-4 and Quiz 1
2. To develop an understanding of the reasons for and predicted social consequences of
the current demographic shift in the U.S. toward an older population and what that means
for the cultural meaning of death/ and different age groups grief. MOD: Ch 5-10 Quiz 2
3. To give serious thought to your own personal future as an aging, mortal creature by
considering what your life may be like as you grow older, and on a deeper level, by
contemplating your own mortality. MOD: Ch -9-13 Quiz 3
4. To gain an awareness of the current needs of our society regarding dying/death, both
individually and collectively, to exercise responsibility for those in the older segment of the
population. MOD: CH 14-20 FINAL
Course Objectives:
Knowledge Outcomes:
1. The students will know the nature of scientific inquiry.
2. The students will understand the process of forming research questions.
3. The students will know the techniques of conducting sociological research and
critiques of these techniques.
4. Students will understand the ethical considerations of research, particularly for the
aging.
Skills Outcomes:
1. Critical thinking: students must have “sociological insight” in order to see through
official explanations of social life, common sense conclusions, and conclusions based
solely on personal experience. Using the tools of the discipline, sociologists analyze
social life while minimizing the influence of personal emotions and political agendas.
2. Abstract thinking: sociology is a discipline of theory testing. Research techniques and
statistics help us describe social phenomena and allow us to evaluate theoretical
statements.
3. Persistence: just because we live in a society does not mean we automatically know
everything about it. Hard study is required, and thinking is mandatory! Research
methods help us see through the veneer of official accounting of the world around us.
Research is about persistent curiosity.
4. Flexibility: Students will learn the discovery of hidden social processes. It is
imperative that we become flexible in our thinking and willing to process what we
already know. Students should be active agents in their own learning.
5. Expansion of knowledge; this course aims to expand students’ breadth of knowledge
of social behavior, organization, and diversity within populations. Research techniques
help us see how social processes affect individual development and life chances.
Value Outcomes:
1. Students will value scientific inquiry.
2. Students will be able to discern false information from factual information.
3. Students will understand the appropriate method to utilize given the scientific
question.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will:
1. Develop the reasoning and communication skills expected of a person holding
a Bachelor of Science degree.
2. Develop proficiency in the use of research retrieval methods.
3. Understand the use of quantitative and qualitative methods.
4. Be able to apply these methods in real world circumstances.
Note: This is an UPPER level course. Be prepared to make the appropriate time commitment
to study and writing that this course requires.
TEACHING STRATEGIES
1. Reading and lecture -- students take the initiative to collect and synthesize material
from lectures and readings. Content will be on-line so be prepared for this.
2. Classroom discussion -- through interaction with other students and the professor,
students are able to reflect on information gained from lectures, readings, and outside
experiences; listen and respond to differing opinions.
3. Exams, written exercises, papers, quizzes; other assignments - if needed
UNILERT
Emergency Warning System for Texas A&M University – Central Texas
UNILERT is an emergency notification service that gives Texas A&M University-Central Texas
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the ability to communicate health and safety emergency information quickly via email and text
message. By enrolling in UNILERT, university officials can quickly pass on safety-related
information, regardless of your location. Please enroll today at http://TAMUCT.org/UNILERT
TEXTBOOKS & OTHER REQUIRED LEARNING MATERIALS
Corr and Corr. (20121). Death and Dying. 7th ed. Wadsworth
Optional - Albom, M. (1997). Tuesdays with Morrie. New York: Broadway Books.
Reserve readings. Throughout the course, I may also place articles on line which are not
currently listed on the syllabus.
COURSE MANAGEMENT
A. CLASS POLICIES
1) Course Help
It is important for students to be proactive throughout the course in terms of their
learning and success. Students who have concerns about how they are doing in the
course, do not understand something in the notes, or are unclear on an assignment
should initiate contact with the instructor since it is not always possible for the
instructor to know if a student is struggling.
2) Respect in the online classroom
As behavioral sciences majors, students in this course are preparing to work with
people in a multitude of professional settings where they will confront diverse coworkers, clients, and customers. The same is true in this course where we will be
discussing many issues about which students will hold varied opinions. Just as in
professional environments, in the classroom, all students should demonstrate
respect toward the instructor, and other students in classroom behaviors. Etiquette
and respect will be expected at all times: use Mr, Ms. or Dr. in emails and choose
your words carefully recognizing that tone is not transmitted well thru email/internet.
3)
Participation
Class and online participation is expected of all students, and an evaluation of the
quality of your participation will be part of the final course grade. To actively
participate in discussion, students need to participate regularly. Participation not only
includes contributing to class discussions on a regular basis but the nature of that
contribution. From time to time, students will be assigned participation exercises to
be completed outside of class. These exercises will count toward students’
participation grade. LOOK EVERY WEEK FOR NEW DISCUSSION TOPICS
Drop Policy
If you discover that you need to drop this class, you must go to the Records Office and ask
for the necessary paperwork. Professors cannot drop students; this is always the
responsibility of the student. The record’s office will provide a deadline for which the form
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must be returned, completed and signed. Once you return the signed form to the records
office and wait 24 hours, you must go into Duck Trax and confirm that you are no longer
enrolled. Should you still be enrolled, FOLLOW-UP with the records office immediately? You
are to attend class until the procedure is complete to avoid penalty for absence. Should you
miss the deadline or fail to follow the procedure, you will receive an F in the course.
Academic Integrity Statement
Texas A&M University - Central Texas expects all students to maintain high standards of
personal and scholarly conduct. Students found responsible of academic dishonestly are
subject to disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on
an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource
materials. Plagiarism entails using the words or ideas of another person without giving him or
her credit (e.g. not citing both the words or ideas of authors in papers); based on this
understanding, it is also plagiarism to copy an author’s exact words without putting them in
quotation marks. The faculty member is responsible for initiating action for each case of
academic dishonestly and report the incident to the Director of Student Affairs. More
information can be found atwww.ct.tamus.edu/StudentConduct.
Disability Support and Access
If you have or believe you have a disability and wish to self-identify, you can do so by providing
documentation to the Disability Support Coordinator. Students are encouraged to seek
information about accommodations to help assure success in their courses. Please contact
Gail Johnson at (254) 519-5831 or visit Founder's Hall 114. Additional information can be
found at www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport .
Tutoring
Tutoring is available to all TAMUCT students, both on-campus and online. Subjects
tutored include Accounting, Finance, Statistics, Mathematics, and Writing (APA).
Tutors are available at the Tutoring Center in Founder's Hall, Room 204, and also in
the Library in the North Building. Visit www.ct.tamus.edu/AcademicSupport and
click "Tutoring Support" for tutor schedules and contact info. If you have questions
or if you're interested in becoming a tutor, contact Academic Support Programs at
254-519-5830 or by emailing gnichols@ct.tamus.edu.
Tutor.com is an online tutoring platform that enables TAMU-CT students to log-in
and receive FREE online tutoring and writing support. This tool provides tutoring in
Mathematics, Writing, Career Writing, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Spanish,
Calculus, and Statistics. Chat live with a tutor 24/7 for any subject on your computer.
To access Tutor.com, click on www.tutor.com/tamuct.
Library Services
Library distance education services aims to make available quality assistance to A&MCentral Texas students seeking information sources remotely by providing digital reference,
online information literacy tutorials, and digital research materials. Much of the A&M-CT
collection is available instantly from home. This includes over half of the library's book collection,
as well as approximately 25,000 electronic journals and 200 online databases. Library Distance
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Education Services are outlined and accessed at:
http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/library/deservices.php
Information literacy focuses on research skills which prepare individuals to live and work in an
information-centered society. Librarians will work with students in the development of critical
reasoning, ethical use of information, and the appropriate use of secondary research techniques.
Help may include, but is not limited to: the exploration of information resources such as library
collections, the identification of appropriate materials, and the execution of effective search
strategies. Library Resources are outlined and accessed at:
http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/library/index.php
B. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Readings
Students should read all assigned materials and be prepared to discuss them in
class for the dates listed on the syllabus. Not all of the assigned reading material
will be covered in class, but may be covered on the exams.
2) Exams
You will take 3 quizzes over material presented in the lectures and found in the
reading assignments. The exams will be a combination of multiple choice, matching,
fill in the blank, and short answer questions. The dates for each exam are listed
below. The 3th exam is a final exam; it may be comprehensive but will place more
emphasis on material from the second half of the course.
Students will only be allowed to make up an exam if they have a legitimate absence
(illness, family emergency, school event) and let the instructor know before the
exam is given, or in an emergency situation, ASAP; in some cases, documentation
of an absence may be required before a make-up exam can be given. Students who
know they will be absent in advance should also take the make-up exam in advance.
3) Paper
The paper is worth 35% of your final grade. The components are worth another
10%. The grade on late papers will be lowered by a letter grade for each day that it
is late. This means each actual day, not each class day. For example, if a paper
is due Monday for class, then your grade will only be lowered by a letter if you get to
paper to me by Tuesday by the same time we would have class. Late papers will
not be penalized ONLY if you have a legitimate excuse and have contacted me
about it in advance, or in the case of an emergency, ASAP.
Dr. Turley’s SPECIFIC class policies:
*On all assignments, papers, etc., if the printer failed to print, you are late - period. Plan
for this, just like the real world. If your presentation were due on a Monday at work, and
you didn’t have it… you would be fired. Do not turn in handwritten assignments; if you
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do not have access to a computer in your home, plan ahead to make sure you can get to
the computer lab in time.
**I will not accept any work past the last scheduled class day for the semester, unless
you confront an emergency situation and have contacted me about that situation.
***If anyone is deemed to be abusive or derisive AT ALL by the instructor, that student
will be asked to leave the class or discussion assignment immediately. This is not open
to debate, and depending on the level of the incident, may be turned over to the Dean or
Campus Security. This is part of your student code of conduct and I take this VERY
seriously. By signing the syllabus agreement below, you are agreeing to participate by
these rules.
****Arguing grades. When a real incident occurs where you feel the machine or
instructor has made a legitimate error in grading, then politely bring it to my attention.
Do not however engage in an all too common practice of arguing a grade with the idea
of “Well I have nothing to lose if I waste the instructor’s time in a vain attempt to
manipulate a few more points on an assignment.” This will not work or be
tolerated.EVALUATION & GRADING PROCEDURES
C.
Your course grade will be computed in the following manner:
Participation/Disc
Paper components
Research Paper
3 quizzes
10pt
20pt
70pt
100pt
5%
10%
35%
50%
*Extra Cr of 5 pts for Tues with Morrie 4 page paper. Ask Professor about details
Final grades will be calculated using the following grading scale:
A
90 – 100% or 180pts
B
80 -89
C
70 - 79
D
60 - 69
F
59 and below
Posting of Grades:
All student grades should be posted on the Blackboard Grade book and students should
monitor their grading status through this tool.
Grades for Quizzes will be posted 3-5 days after the availability period has passed. Grades for
Weekly Assignments and Papers will be posted the Wednesday following the due date.
TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPORT
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Technology Requirements This course will use the new TAMU-CT Blackboard Learn learning
management system for class communications, content distribution, and assessments.
Logon to http://tamuct.blackboard.com to access the course.
For this course, you will need reliable and frequent access to a computer and to the
Internet. You will also need a headset with a microphone or speakers and a
microphone to be able to listen to online resources and conduct other activities in
the course. If you do not have frequent and reliable access to a computer with
Internet connection, please consider dropping this course or contact me (see page
1) to discuss your situation.
Blackboard supports the most common operating systems:
PC: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 2000,
Mac: Mac OS 10.6 “Snow Leopard®”, Mac OS 10.5 “Leopard®”, Mac OS 10.4
“Tiger®”
Check browser and computer compatibility by following the “Browser Check” link
on the TAMU-CTBlackboard logon page. (http://tamuct.blackboard.com) This is a
CRITICAL step as these settings are important for when you take an exam or submit
an assignment.
Upon logging on to Blackboard Learn, you will see a link to Blackboard Student
Orientation under My Courses tab. Click on that link and study the materials in this
orientation course. The new Blackboard is a brand-new interface and you will have
to come up to speed with it really quickly. This orientation course will help you get
there. There is also a link to Blackboard Help from inside the course on the lefthand menubar. The first week of the course includes activities and assignments that
will help you get up to speed with navigation, sending and receiving messages and
discussion posts, and submitting an assignment. Your ability to function within the
Blackboard system will facilitate your success in this course.
Technology issues are not an excuse for missing a course requirement – make sure
your computer is configured correctly and address issues well in advance of deadlines.
7.1 Technology Support
For technological or computer issues, students should contact the TAMU-CT Blackboard Support Services 24
hours a day, 7 days a week:
Support Portal: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport
Online chat (through the support portal at: http://www.ct.tamus.edu/bbsupport)
Phone: (855)-661-7965
For issues related to course content and requirements, contact your instructor.
The Operation of the Online Course and Being an Online Student
Online learning requires students to be very self-disciplined, be sure you
understand and are prepared to comply with all required class assignments and
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deadlines. For this course, the Weekly Assignment will be posted on the Course
Home Page By Monday or Tuesday morning (latest) and will be due to the
associated Discussion Forum, Assignment Drop Box or Quiz the following Friday
night at midnight. Always be checking the Announcements section!
AGING CALENDAR
M
Aug 26 Intro – Syllabus – Book – Believe it or not, Start thinking of paper
topics NOW!
W
Aug 30
SIGN AND RETURN THE LAST PAGES OF THIS SYLLABI.
You will NOT be in the course until you do this and email it to me. [READING: Chapter
1and 2] Also read SOC 101 pwr pt, Paper topic and Good v Bad Paper Pwr Pt
and DISCUSSION Assignment
M
Sep 2 BOOKS MUST BE PURCHASED! [READING: Chapter 3 and 4]
W
Sep 4 [READING: Chapter 3]
M
Sep 9 [READING: Chapter 4 ] **course withdrawal deadline
W
Sep 11
PAPER TOPIC exercise is due for everyone including those
volunteering. CONTACT info for Volunteering also due
QUIZ 1 ON LINE by Fri at midnight
M
Sep 16
[READING: Chapter 5 ]
W
Sep 18
[READING: Chapter 5]
M
Sept 23 [READING: Chapter 6]
W
Sept 25 [READING: Chapter 6]
M
Sept 30 [READING: Chapter 7]
W
Oct 2
M
Oct 7 [READING: Chapter 8 ]
W
LIT REVIEW DUE
Oct 9 [READING: Chapter 8]
QUIZ 2 ON LINE by Fri at midnight
8
M
Oct 14 [READING: Chapter 9]
W
Oct 16 [READING: Chapter 9]
M
Oct 21
[READING: Chapter 10]
W
Oct 23
[READING: Chapter 10]
M
Oct 28
[READING: Chapter 11]
W
Oct 30
[READING: Chapter 11]
M
Nov 4 [READING: Chapter 12-13]
W
Nov 6 [READING: Chapter 12-13]
QUIZ 3 ON LINE by Fri at midnight
M
Nov 11
OUTLINE DUE [READING: Chapter 14]
W
Nov 13
[READING: Chapter 14]
M
Nov 20
[READING: Chapter 15]
W
Nov 21
[READING: 15]
M
Nov 25 [READING: Chapter 16]
W
Nov 27 [READING: Chapter 16]
TH
Nov 28 THANKSGIVING!!
M
Dec 2 [READING: Chapter 17 ]
PAPER DUE
W
Dec 4
REVIEW for Final
M
Dec 9
FINAL ON LINE by midnight
9
CALENDAR (this may change as circumstances require)
M
Oct 22
Intro – Syllabus – Book – Believe it or not, Start thinking of
paper topics NOW! [READING: Chapter 1-2]
W
Oct 24
SIGN AND RETURN THE LAST PAGE OF THIS SYLLABI.
You will NOT be in the course until you do this and email it to me. BOOKS MUST BE
PURCHASED! Yes WE WILL HAVE A BOOK CHECK. Also read SOC 101 pwr
pt, Paper topic and Good v Bad Paper Pwr Pt and DISCUSSION Assignments
[READING: Chapter 2-4]
M
Oct 29
[READING: Chapter 5-7]
W
Oct 31
Reading catch up day. QUIZ 1
M
Nov 5 [READING: Chapter 8-10] PAPER TOPIC exercise is due; PLUS
an Outline
W
Nov 7 [READING: Chapter 11-13]
M
Nov 12
W
Nov 14
NO CLASS
Quiz 2. [READING: Chapter 14-15]
M
Nov 19
LIT REVIEW DUE [READING: Chapter 15-16] YES you have
to come to class, no I don’t care if you made plans to travel, you made plans for
this class and we are meeting.
W
TH
Nov 21
NO CLASS! You are responsible for [READING: 17]
Nov 22 THANKSGIVING!!
M
Nov 26 [READING: Chapter 18]
W
Nov 28 [READING: Chapter 19]
M
Dec 3 [READING: Chapter 20]
W
M
Dec 5
Dec 10
PAPER DUE
REVIEW for Final
FINAL
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Class Information Sheet
Name _________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________
Phone __________________ School id ______________________
Email _________________________________________________
Major _________________________________________________
Why are you taking this class? (Don’t say reqr’d even if true)
_________________________________________________
Some info on you –
Where did you grow up?
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
How many people in your family?
____________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
Your first job? ______________________________________________
Where did you go to High School?
_________________________________________________
Where have you lived line 1 or visited line 2?
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Attend any other colleges? _________________________________________________
Careers interested in? ____________________________________________________________
Fill out the info. Copy it - INCLUDING the HONESTY statement below. Open an email
msg to me. Paste the info. Send me the email.
By signing this paper, I agree to the syllabus as a course contract and agree to abide by the
course as outlined within: _________________________________________________
date: ______________
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Definitions, Violations and Consequences of Academic Honesty
Courses Offered by
Dr. Alan C. Turley
Department of Sociology
I have read Texas A&M Central Texas’ statement on Academic Honesty on page
16 of the TAMU-CT Student Handbook
(http://www.ct.tamus.edu/departments/studentaffairs/pdfs/Texas_A&M_University_Central_Texas_STUDENT_HANDBOOK_.pdf). I have also read over the
definitions and examples of Plagiarism at “Purdue University’s Online Writing
Lab” web-site (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/). I am aware
that if I should violate Texas A&M’s Academic Honesty policy in Dr. Turley’s
course, he will 1) fail me for the assignment and/or the course, and 2) initiate an
Academic Dishonesty action against me. I know I have the right to appeal Dr.
Turley’s action against me with the Vice Provost. 3) I also agree to abide by Dr.
Turley's Policies outlined in this Syllabus.
Course: Sociology 321—Death and Dying
Term: FALL 2012
Print Name
Student ID
Sign Name
Date
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Term Paper Project
I. Expectations for the Paper
This is a research paper. I expect the paper to be between 12 and 15 pages in length with
between 8 and 9 “peer-reviewed” journal article or book resources in a bibliography that does
NOT count towards the number of pages.
II. Paper Topics
Choose a topic which interests you from the course material (that has sociological merit AND is
worth spending your time on). It will have academic and public value; ie your feelings on Justin
Bieber will not cut it.
III. Constructing the Paper
Once you have a topic and have begun to read the relevant literature, begin considering how
you want to construct the paper. Keep these points in mind:
1. What is your thesis?
2. How many points do you want to make?
3. In what order are you going to present these points?
4. Do your points follow a reasoned pattern?
5. Does your conclusion tie the paper together (from thesis to final point)?
IV. Body of the Paper
The paper should be comprised of the following components:
1. Introduction:
What is your research question? What is your hypothesis? (What did you expect to find) What is
your theoretical orientation? (How would a functional/conflict perspective best explain your
expected outcomes and research question?)
2. A Literature Review:
This is where you introduce your points and begin to lay the groundwork for illustrating them in
the discussion section of your paper. What have previous authors said about this topic? What
were their hypotheses and how did their findings support or reshape their theory? Where are
the major gaps in the literature, and how does your paper fit into the discussion (novel idea,
supportive of one perspective)?
2.B Data/Methods:
This where you present any numbers to aid In you’re argument, and then describe how those
numbers were gathered
3. Discussion:
Develop your points here. What did you find, without making any conclusions.
4. Conclusions:
Was your hypothesis correct? How did your findings support your hypothesis? How did your
findings support your theoretical perspective?
5. Bibliography, Notes
You
must
have
these
done
correctly
or
lose
a
letter
grade
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
Title:
Your written work will be evaluated by the criteria below in
order to give you specific feedback to help guide your
development as a writer. Your writing will not be graded
point by point by these items; it will be graded for its overall
quality.
Competent
This rubric is designed to make clear the grading process for
written communication by informing you, the writer, what
key elements are expected by the university in a “good”
piece of written work.
4
Not Acceptable
Date:
Excellent
Author:
Grading Rubric for the Final Paper
3.2
2.8
2.4
0
Presentation (25 points)
1. Proper Format (1 inch margins, double-spaced, at
least 12pages in length, paragraph in line, etc)
2. Free of Spelling Errors
3. Grammatically Correct
Content (30 points)
4. Information and evidence are accurate, appropriate,
and integrated effectively.
5. Claims and ideas are supported with citations from the
article and text.
Thinking (35 points)
6. Analysis/synthesis/evaluation/interpretation are
effective and consistent.
7. Independent thinking is evident.
8. Creativity/originality is evident.
Assignment Specific Criteria (10 point)
9. Responds to all aspects of the assignment.
Overall Evaluation
Excellent (90+)

Above Average
(80-89.9)

Average (70-79.9)

Below Average
(60-69.9)
Grade _100.0 (A)_
Presentation
Content
Thinking
Assignment
Total
25
30
35
10
100
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Comments:
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