News - Rutgers - School of Health Professions

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

Health Care Management

IDST5400 - Perspectives on Death and Dying

Course Description

Death, dying and bereavement are fundamental and pervasive aspects of the human experience. This course offers a broad overview of aspects of death and dying in our society. Topics include attitudes toward and preparation for death; the understanding of and care for terminally ill patients; funeral rituals; burial, mourning and grief practices; grief counseling; suicide and euthanasia. Readings and course activities will be supplemented by students’ self-exploration and writing on feelings, attitudes, and beliefs about death.

Credits/Modes of Instruction

Credits: 3

This is a 3-credit, 15 week, graduate course provided via the Internet, specifically via Canvas. The course relies heavily on the completion of assigned readings, assignments, and participation in online discussions.

Prerequisites

Acceptance into a master's level program.

Course Goals and Outcomes:

Goals

The overall goal of this course is to provide insight into death, dying and bereavement.

Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
(1) Explore the meaning of life, death, and loss.
(2) Identify psychological aspects of confronting death, dying, and bereavement.
(3) Analyze different cultural attitudes and practices related to death and dying.
(4) Identify and describe clinical approaches to working with the terminally ill and the bereaved.
(5) Evaluate community interventions in death and dying.
(6) Articulate ethical and legal issues in death and dying.
(7) Describe issues affecting caregivers working in the field of death and dying and those caring for family members who are facing death.
(8) Describe common end-of-life decisions and issues.
(9) Compare and contrast dying related to suicide, murder, abortion, disasters, war and various terminal illnesses.
In addition, students are expected to do the following throughout the semester:
(10) Exhibit professional behaviors in all interactions.
(11) Express concepts in written and oral format using proper grammar and stylistic guidelines.