SS 205 - Aging, Dying and Death

Credit Hours: 3

A multi-disciplinary examination of the aging process and the recurring human drama of death and dying. Insights from various disciplines in the social sciences will be brought to bear on this phenomenon.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

explain the term “ageism” and identify the outcomes of ageism;
differentiate primary aging and secondary aging;
name the major theories of aging and summarize the essence of each of the theories;
discuss the reasons for age-related cognitive changes;
identify the changes in age-related information processing;
provide examples of positive age-related cognitive development;
differentiate the following social theories of aging: A. Stratification Theory, B. Self Theory, and C. Dynamic Theory;
explain the concept of “social convoy” and provide examples of the role it plays in the life of the elderly;
explain the impact self-efficacy has on the quality of life for the elderly;
identify the factors affecting our familiarity with death;
explain the historical attributions regarding the origins and causes of death;
explain the variety of perspectives on death in Western cultures;
compare Native American, Mexican, and Asian perspectives on death;
explain the idea of a mature concept of death;
identify and explain the sociological Influences on our understanding of death;
explain the following with regard to Hospice and Palliative Care: A. the origins, B. the principles, and C. the challenges;
discuss the problems implicit in financing of health care for the dying;
state and explain the four definitions and determinations of death;
differentiate between a coroner and a medical examiner;
identify the ways a dying person copes with their life-threatening illness;
discuss the treatment options for individuals who are facing life-threatening illness;
discuss the role of pain management with dying patients;
explain the “social role” of the dying patient;
discuss the options for the patient in choosing death;
describe the experience of grief with a focus on the following: A. the course of grief, B. Mental and Emotional responses, and C. complications of grief;
explain William Worden’s Tasks of Mourning (survivors);
explain the “narrative approach” as a model of grief (survivors);
state the options for the disposition of the body;
state the psychosocial benefits of last rites;
discuss how to help children cope with change and loss brought about by the death of someone close to them;
identify and explain a child’s coping mechanisms with their life-threatening illness;
describe adult coping skills on the death of their parent;
describe adult coping skills on the death of their child;
list and explain childbearing losses;
state and explain the reasons for attempting suicide;
explain the theories of suicide from the following perspectives: A. social context, B. psychological;
state the risk factors that influence suicide;
develop a plan for suicide prevention and intervention;
identify coping mechanisms in the aftermath of war;
identify coping mechanisms in the aftermath of disasters;
identify coping mechanisms in the aftermath of violence;
identify steps to reduce violence;
compare and contrast the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic concepts regarding death and the afterlife; and
compare and contrast the Buddhist and Hindu concepts regarding death and the afterlife.

F/S (C, N, S)