Module Descriptors
DYING IN SOCIETY
SOCY60270
Key Facts
Faculty of Arts and Creative Technologies
Level 6
15 credits
Hours of Study
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities: 24
Independent Study Hours: 126
Total Learning Hours: 150
Assessment
- ASSIGNMENT weighted at 100%
Module Details
Module Additional Assessment Details
3,000 word written assignment drawing on sociological, historical, medical and anthropological research.
Module Indicative Content
Historical and sociological aspects of death and dying will be examined with special reference to the modern history of the cemetery, crematorium and funeral architecture.
Sociological studies of the cultural representations of death and dying will be analysed.
The approach to death of the NHS and the hospice movement will be appraised.
Debates around euthanasia and assisted suicide will be evaluated in the light of sociological and anthropological literature.
The experience of terminal illness will be studied in the light of sociological literature.
Social-psychological aspects of bereavement, depression, attachment and loss will be discussed.
The spiritual aspects of death and dying in a largely secular society will be discussed in the light of sociological and anthropological literature.
Sociological studies of the cultural representations of death and dying will be analysed.
The approach to death of the NHS and the hospice movement will be appraised.
Debates around euthanasia and assisted suicide will be evaluated in the light of sociological and anthropological literature.
The experience of terminal illness will be studied in the light of sociological literature.
Social-psychological aspects of bereavement, depression, attachment and loss will be discussed.
The spiritual aspects of death and dying in a largely secular society will be discussed in the light of sociological and anthropological literature.
Module Texts
Bowlby, J., (1991) Attachment and Loss.
Bradbury, M., (1999) Representations of Death.
Diamond, A., (1995) A Gift from Sebastian.
Freud, S., (1917) Mourning and Melancholia, in (1955) On Metapsychology (vol. 11 of the Penguin Feud Library.
Parkes, C., (1997) Death and Bereavement Across Cultures.
Sontag, S., (1991) Illness as Metaphor: AIDS and its metaphors, Penguin.
Stevens Curl, J. (2000) The Victorian Celebration of Death, Sutton.
Bradbury, M., (1999) Representations of Death.
Diamond, A., (1995) A Gift from Sebastian.
Freud, S., (1917) Mourning and Melancholia, in (1955) On Metapsychology (vol. 11 of the Penguin Feud Library.
Parkes, C., (1997) Death and Bereavement Across Cultures.
Sontag, S., (1991) Illness as Metaphor: AIDS and its metaphors, Penguin.
Stevens Curl, J. (2000) The Victorian Celebration of Death, Sutton.
Module Resources
The library, module handbook, appropriate texts and computing facilities including the internet and e-mail. Rooms will also be suitable for disabled students and be equipped with video playback facilities.
Module Learning Strategies
Students will have weekly whole group lectures and part group seminars. Seminars will support learning by giving students the opportunity to discuss concepts raised in lectures in more detail. Students will also be able, through discussion, support the development of study and other key skills. Time will also be given to supporting students to complete their assignment by encouraging them to seek individual tutorial guidance. Where possible there will also be visits to a coroner's court, a crematorium and a hospice.