HLTH 202 - Death and Dying

3 Credits
This course examines issues and concerns involved in helping patients and family members facing the problems of terminal illness and death. Students will be introduced to death-related issues for everyday life, including suicide, bereavement, euthanasia, and hospice care. Living will and advanced directives are discussed. This course also examines current medical concerns regarding the care and treatment of a terminal patient.

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 109
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Analyze and compare the changing social, psychological, cultural, religious, spiritual, ethical, and historical changing patterns of death beliefs and traditions related to varying modes of death, across the lifespan.
2. Investigate individual and family grief and bereavement issues through recognition of theories, models of coping, spiritual, religious, and cultural beliefs, and end of life practices and institutions, including care facilities, burial practices, funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries.
3. Describe the physiology of death and dying.
4. Compare the effectiveness of the medical model of dying and palliative model of dying on end of life care from an individual, family, and cultural perspective.
5. Assess the impact of legalities and legal instruments on end of life decision making for individuals and families from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.