1/4/2021 Syllabus for (SYA3741-0001.sp21) Sociology of Death and Dying SYA Sociology of Death and Dying 3741 Course Information Course Hours: N/A Course Meeting Location: Online Course Credit Hours: 3 hours Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites for this course; however, this course is writing intensive. Reach out to the FSU Reading/Writing Center if you need writing support. Course Description Sociology of Death and Dying is the study of the structure of the human response to death, dying, and bereavement in their socio-cultural, interpersonal, and individual context. Cultural and medical factors shaping a “good death”, formation of death perceptions and grief over the life course, functions of the funeral, death-related ethical debates; and traumatic deaths are the topics to be discussed. Course Instructor Dr. Miles Taylor [email protected] (850) 644-5418 Department of Sociology Virtual Office Hours - Monday-Friday, 8AM – 4PM EST via E-mail Emails will be responded to within 24 to 48 hours. Online Mentors: https://canvas.fsu.edu/courses/156571/assignments/syllabus 1/17 1/4/2021 Syllabus for (SYA3741-0001.sp21) Sociology of Death and Dying Trinity Lakin, [email protected] Destine Reices, [email protected] Learning Objectives At the completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Describe changing demographics, attitudes, and practices surrounding death. 2. Recognize how individuals and groups deal with the social-psychological aspects of death, dying, and bereavement and how death, dying, and bereavement differs for persons at various ages of life. 3. Compare societies and groups within societies on how they deal with dying, death, and bereavement. This will include cultural and religious contexts, media influence, and childhood socialization. 4. Summarize how various institutions and professionals manage dying, death, and bereavement. Included will be the social functions of funerals and religious rituals surrounding death. 5. Explain current trends, attitudes, and dynamics regarding end-of-life issues such as suicide, grief, widowhood, and the social organization of death and dying in modern society. Course Materials Students are responsible for all assigned readings. At the end of this syllabus is a class schedule that details all readings, major assignments, and important dates. All students are required to purchase/rent the following textbook: Required Kemp, Alan R. (2014). Death, Dying, and Bereavement in a Changing World. ISBN-13: 978-0205790760 / ISBN-10: 0205790763 *NOTE* Both Pearson and Routledge are publishers of this book (see 2 images of cover), depending on the version (digital/print) and its year of print (pre-post 2015). Searching the ISBN number online will give you access to new and used print versions, along with digital, from a number of retailers. As long as the copyright reads 2013-2015 you should have the correct book. https://canvas.fsu.edu/courses/156571/assignments/syllabus 2/17 1/4/2021 Syllabus for (SYA3741-0001.sp21) Sociology of Death and Dying Additional Reading(s): Additional/supplemental readings and video content for the course will be posted on the Canvas site and will be available to you from the time you begin each module through the end of the semester. These are REQUIRED and are meant to be used in conjunction with the textbook. You will be evaluated on this material in quizzes, and they will also be particularly useful in enhancing your papers and assignments. Computer, Software, Internet, & Email Access: You will need reliable computer and Internet access to successfully complete this distance learning course. Additionally, you must be able to stream video and audio files and to access slides, word processing documents, PDF files, and spreadsheets. E-mail correspondence from the course instructor and online mentors may be sent to the FSU Inbox or the Canvas Inbox at any given time. It is imperative that students allow Canvas notifications and emails be forwarded to the FSU Inbox. To do this, follow both sets of instructions below. How to Send Canvas Notifications to FSU Inbox: 1. Sign into Canvas 2. Click on Account (left-hand side of your screen in the garnet-colored, vertical menu panel) 3. Click on Notifications 4. Click the checkmark icon next to Announcement, Course Content, and Submission Comment. You will be notified immediately about these and the notification will be sent to your FSU Email. 5. Feel free to adjust the notifications for other items to suit your preferences and needs. https://canvas.fsu.edu/courses/156571/assignments/syllabus 3/17 1/4/2021 Syllabus for (SYA3741-0001.sp21) Sociology of Death and Dying How to Send/Forward Canvas Emails Directly to FSU Inbox: 1. While in Canvas, click on ‘Account’ (left-hand side of your screen in the garnet-colored, vertical menu panel) 2. Click on ‘Settings’ 3. Scroll down to ‘Conversations Inbox Drop Opt-Out’ 4. Check the box. This will send all Canvas Emails directly to your FSU Inbox. You can reply to emails sent from Canvas directly from your FSU Email. Course site: Students in this course automatically gain access to the Canvas course site. Students are responsible for logging into the course site to access the learning material. Class Format This course consists of 14 learning modules that will cover topics such as undertaking and funeral practices, the afterlife, grief and bereavement, and ethical debates on the right to die. Module 1 will become available immediately, and each subsequent module will become available the Saturday before each week begins. All modules include a short introductory lecture with audio that will orient you to the course material and requirements. Reading and listening to these short lectures is important for your success in this course. There will be textbook, supplemental readings, and required discussion board postings. Written assignments and quizzes will serve as your overall assessment. You will be able to access most materials on the Canvas course site at any time; however, quizzes and discussion boards will only be available for an allotted time. The course will end with a final research project instead of a final exam. Important Note: Studying topics of Death & Dying can sometimes lead to unexpected thoughts, memories, and emotions. A Grief & Mental Health Resource information document is available on the course Canvas site. It is important for students to know the resources and support available in this regard, so view this resource before you start the course. Although this course will not meet face-to-face, you can connect with your classmates via discussion boards. The instructor and mentors will also be available to you via e-mail. Expect e-mails to the instructor and online mentors to be answered within approximately 24 hours during normal weekdays (M-F), and within approximately 48 hours on the weekend. *Please Note: Florida State University operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST), so this course will too. Therefore, all due dates and time windows will refer to EST. Also keep this time zone in mind when sending emails to the instructor and online mentor. Course Requirements https://canvas.fsu.edu/courses/156571/assignments/syllabus 4/17 1/4/2021 Syllabus for (SYA3741-0001.sp21) Sociology of Death and Dying First Day Attendance/Online bio: (30 points): Students should create a short bio to post on Canvas on the Course (not group) discussion board. This bio will count as your first-day attendance. Students not completing this assignment will be dropped from the class. Reply Email to online mentor (20 points): Students will receive an email from their online mentor establishing contact and introducing themselves. The subject line of the email will include the course name and number. Students need to send a reply email to their mentor within 48 hours of this email acknowledging receipt of the email. Self-Inventory Worksheet & Write-Up: (100 points) Students will complete a Death & Dying Self-Inventory worksheet about their attitudes and experiences surrounding death, which is divided into two parts: worksheet & write-up. (Worksheet= 15 pts, Write-up= 85 pts, Total= 100 pts). 1. The worksheet is available during Module/Week 1 and is due the second week of class (see course schedule). The worksheet is divided into three sections, and you must fill out all questions in each section. 2. The write-up is due during Module/Week 11 and requires each student to write a 2-3 page reflection on their self-inventory worksheet, applying concepts and information learned throughout the course. Field Research Assignment: (230 points) Students will take a self-guided field trip to a local cemetery or 2 to analyze gravestones/markers. There will be two specific options for students on the topic of analysis but both topics will require the same amount of field time/analysis/research. Students will then write a 5-8 page report synthesizing their findings and relating these experiences to concepts from the course readings or other scholarly literature. This assignment should be submitted through Turnitin. Quizzes: (220 points) A quiz will be given for 14 of the learning modules ```and will cover material from the Powerpoint slides/lectures, textbook chapter/s, additional readings and any additional course materials (including videos, etc.) indicated on the course calendar. These quizzes will be available during the entire week of the Module we are covering, closing Saturday at 11:59PM EST unless otherwise noted. They are open book/open note but you CANNOT work together or copy answers directly from any source. NOTE you will have 30 minutes to take each quiz and only 1 attempt. You are responsible for a working internet connection etc. when you take the quizzes and for making sure you complete the quiz within this time. I will drop your three lowest quiz grades (so 11 quizzes total at 20 points each=220 points total), and “drops” will include quizzes missed due to internet connection problems, etc.