ANT 253 - Death and Dying Across Cultures

1. Summarize the roles of age and gender in response to death and grieving. 
2. Explain the role of world view in understanding deathways of specific cultures.
3. Explain the biological and social aspects of the dying process as seen in specific cultures.
4. Analyze ethical issues surrounding death, across cultures.
5. Describe socio-political implications of the treatment of dead bodies.
6. Explain ways to dispose of the corpse in various cultures. 
7. Explain various types of grieving and bereavement.

1. Culture, Death, Dying, and Grieving: Introduction

1. Culture as a concept
2. Defining death and grieving     
3. Historical overview

1. Developmental Aspects of Death and Grieving       

1. Age
2. Gender                                      

1. World View

1. Ideological constructs: religion, ethnicity, class
2. Case Studies  

1. Cultural Views of the Dying Process           

1. Biological process
2. End of life care
3. Case studies

1. Ethical Issues in Death Across Cultures

1. Aid in dying, euthanasia          
2. Case studies

1. Socio-Political Implications in the Treatment of Dead Bodies

1. Death of political leaders
2. Repatriation of human remains

1. Disposition of the Corpse

1. Ecological aspects of various types of disposition
2. Burial and funeral rites
3. Case studies              

1. Grieving and Bereavement

1. Grieving process: biological and psycho-social
2. Case studies