REL 3180 - Death, Dying, and Beyond

Focuses on death, dying, and the afterlife in the religious traditions of the world. Traditions and regions covered may vary by year and could include the religious traditions of Japan, China, India, and the United States as well as the religious traditions of Christianity or Islam. How one dies, how others view that death, how the body is disposed of, what role the death plays in the life and times of others, the history that develops from it, and what the common beliefs are regarding life beyond death are some of the questions that this course will address. Discussion each week may focus on burial customs, views of the afterlife, the grieving process, hospice, suicide, pollution, ritual, abortion, and other topics. Readings will be drawn from a variety of sources.

Credits: 4 hours

Notes: This course satisfies General Education Area II: Humanities.