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| Sociology 358

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

SOCIOLOGY 358

SOCIOLOGY of DEATH AND GRIEF
Professor: Rosanne Martorella, Ph.D.
Office: Science Building 348
Office Hours: Posted on the door
Phone: 973 - 720-2388
Fax: 201 - 595-3522
Email: romartin@frontier.wpunj.edu

Course Objectives
acquaint students with the sociological perspective in death and grief

explore students own attitudes toward death and dying

understand society's effect on dying behavior

analyze significant issues and social problems in the area (such as: teenage suicide, euthanasia, AIDS, cancer mortality, etc.)

analyze the effect of bureaucratic settings on the dying and their family members (i.e. hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, etc.)

examine ethical issues surrounding death and dying (such as: right to die, informed consent, living will, etc.)



Required Readings

The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying, 4th edition. DeSpelder and Strickland. Palo Alto, California: Mayfield Publishing Company, 1996.

Death in the Midst of Life. Jack Kamerman. New York: Prentice Hall, 1988.

Selected articles from the New York Times, film analysis, and hand outs.



Grading System

25% Midterm

25% Final

10% Museum Report

20% Computer Assignment

10% Cemetary Report

Attendance is mandatory and tardiness is frowned upon!



William Paterson