On Death and Dying

About this book

This open educational resource is developed as a third-year level, university course on death and dying. It includes 10 weeks of digital course content, usable as a stand-alone or supplemental course package, or single chapters can be incorporated into courses on related topics. The course combines synchronous and asynchronous elements, aimed at reducing the amount of time students are required to be in the synchronous class environment (in-person or online). Course materials innovatively combine chapter content, with embedded links to audio/video material and short readings. A set of required additional readings and viewings are included at the end of each chapter. Materials come from a variety of sources (e.g., scholarly publications, government and non-governmental reports, the Conversation, media reports, other internet content, etc.). Each chapter starts with several questions for students to think about as they complete the chapter materials and ends with an assignment. All course materials (readings, viewings, questions and assignment) are designed to stimulate critical and personal reflection on complex and challenging issues tied to death, dying and our own mortality. Chapter assignments can be assigned as individual or a mixture of individual and group projects. These assignments, as well as the questions that start each chapter, are meant to be used to guide weekly face-to-face class discussion. Due to the nature of the subject matter, incorporating some group/classroom discussion is highly encouraged. This open educational resource is developed as a third-year level, university course on death and dying. It includes 10 weeks of digital course content, usable as a stand-alone or supplemental course package, or single chapters can be incorporated into courses on related topics. The course combines synchronous and asynchronous elements, aimed at reducing the amount of time students are required to be in the synchronous class environment (in-person or online). Course materials innovatively combine chapter content, with embedded links to audio/video material and short readings. A set of required additional readings and viewings are included at the end of each chapter. Materials come from a variety of sources (e.g., scholarly publications, government and non-governmental reports, the Conversation, media reports, other internet content, etc.). Each chapter starts with several questions for students to think about as they complete the chapter materials and ends with an assignment. All course materials (readings, viewings, questions and assignment) are designed to stimulate critical and personal reflection on complex and challenging issues tied to death, dying and our own mortality. Chapter assignments can be assigned as individual or a mixture of individual and group projects. These assignments, as well as the questions that start each chapter, are meant to be used to guide weekly face-to-face class discussion. Due to the nature of the subject matter, incorporating some group/classroom discussion is highly encouraged.