Eastwick College | Evaluated Learning Experience
Aging and Dying (SOC101)
36 hours (12 weeks).
August 2019 - Present.
Upon successful completion of the learning experience, students will be able to: describe four dimensions of education about death, dying and bereavement; sketch a theory of five dominant social patterns in western attitudes towards death; explain the concept of a “death system” in every society, including its functions and components; explore four primary dimensions of care: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual; outline the historical development and current roles of four social institutions that care for persons coping with dying: hospitals; focusing on acute care, long-term care facilities; focusing on chronic care, home health programs, focusing on home care, and hospice programs; focusing on end-of-life care; clarify the concept of grief itself and five critical variables that influence and individual’s grief; define the term mourning and explain the phenomena of anticipatory grief and anticipatory mourning; describe classical models of normal or uncomplicated grief and mourning, and clarify what is involved in complicated grief; explain the ten principles for facilitating uncomplicated grief; facilitating uncomplicated grief: grief counseling; describe four types of community programs designed to help the person who is coping with loss and grief, including funeral practices and memorial rituals, aftercare programs in the funeral industry, hospice bereavement follow-up programs, and support groups for the bereaved; establish principles for helping children cope with death, dying, and bereavement; and describe the origin and role of formal legal systems as they relate to death-related events.
This course enables learners to better understand death and dying from its psychological and sociological perspectives. Instruction focuses on cultural responses to death, grief psychology, and aftercare. The roles and responsibilities of the funeral director throughout this process are discussed. Outside preparation includes review of class notes, reading assignments, and studying for exams.
In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Psychology, Human Development, Human Services, Sociology, Allied Health, or as a General Education elective (5/22). NOTE: This course was previously evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE). To view credit recommendations previously established, visit the ACE National Guide.