I. Metaphors of Death in Western Cultures
   A. The Modern Denial of Death, WS 5, 1, 17
   B. Archaic Death Imagery, H 3:IV, V
   C. Memento Mori and the Plague, H 8:I, V, VI; WS 6, 7
   D. American Way of Death, WS 3, 4
   E. The Biblical Views of Death, H 7:I, V, VI

II. Metaphors of Fatal Illness
    A. Religious Images of Illness
        1. Demonic Invasion
        2. Punishment for Sin
        3. Plague Metaphor
   B. Attack Sickness, H I
   C. AIDS, WS 8, 9, 12
   D. Cancer, H 2:I, II

III. Understanding Dying Situations
     A. Speaking with the Dying Patient, WS 13, 15, 24; H 4:2, 3
     B. Theories of Psychosocial Staging, H Con:III-V
     C. The Terminal Phase, WS 2
     D. Pain Control and Hospice WS 16
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IV. The Near Death Experience
      A. Dying at Will H 4:VI
      B. Voodoo Death
      C. "Death-Bed Visions," H Intro, 4:I, IV, V
      D. The Otherworld Journey H 6, 8:II, III, IV
      E. Current NDE Models WS 41, 43

V. Euthanasia and the Definition of Death
    A. The Concept of Natural Death, WS 14, 30
         1. Definitions of Death
         2. Uniform Determination of Death Law
    B. Definition of Euthanasia and Medical Means, WS 29, 28, 27
        1. Arguments For and Against Assisted Suicide
        2. Assisted Suicide in the Law
        3. The Right to Refuse Treatment
        4. Current Legal Consensus
   C. Law and Religious Practice
        1. The Death of Children and Spiritual Healing
        2. Case Law on Religion--Related Child Death

VI. The Nature of Bereavement
      A. Mourning in the Bible, H 7:I-IV
      B. The Experience of Grief, WS 19-22, 25-26
      C. The Process of Grief Work
      D. The Varieties of Grief, WS 38-40
      E. The Symbolic Forms of Grief, H 5
      F. The Structure of Mourning Rituals, WS 10, 11, 18
          1. The Purpose of the Funeral
          2. The Role of Religious Mourning Practices

VII. The Meaning of Suicide
       A. Traditional Religious Views and Linguistic Evidence
       B. An Assessment of Modern Theories, WS 31-34
       C. Profiles of Completed and Nonfatal Suicides
       D. Ideation, Chronic and Focal Suicide
       E. Suicide Methods and the Types of Aggression
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A. A classroom test on Sections I-III.

B. A classroom test on Sections IV-V.

C. Complete one of the following projects by November 26, 2001.

1.  Present the complete plans for your funeral, (1) including all the burial arrangements, (2) detailed  liturgy, (3) post-funeral care, and (4) an explanation of the purpose of the funeral based upon theory (e.g. Irion, Grollman) and personal views. This exercise should be real and not simulated.

 2. A research paper on any topic with at least 10 pages. The paper may be based upon personal or clinical experiences, provided that readings be included and theory integrated.