Philosophy of Life and Death
5:30 - 8:00 Th -- Fitzelle 308
Professor:
Douglas Shrader, Ph.D. |
Office
Hours:
Tu: 2:00 - 3:50 |
| UPDATE: The due date for the first essay has been changed to February 22. |
Course Description:
Philosophical examination of life and death. Topics include the meaning of life, the nature of death, the morality of euthanasia, the rights of the terminally ill, and the possibility of life after death. Special consideration will be given to the contrast between Western and non-Western perspectives of life and death (e.g. Polynesian culture and Tibetan Buddhism).Format
The class will be conducted as an extended seminar, once each week. I anticipate an abundance of open, but nonetheless intelligent and philosophically fruitful discussion. Students are expected to have different values and perspectives; we will explore as many as possible. Readings will be complemented by videotapes.Grades
-
Based on the following:
- Attendance/Participation (5%). Students are expected to attend all class meetings: mentally as well as physically.
- Three take-home essay exams (25% each). Questions and guidelines will be posted on the web approximately 10 days prior to each due date (February 22, March 29, and May 10 ).
- Service-Learning (20%). To facilitate integration of course assignments with "real life" you will be asked to complete 20 hours of community service in a program designed and administered by the Center for Social Responsibility and Community.
Note: Interim
reports will be based on the first essay, class attendance and participation.
Students are encouraged to meet with the professor throughout the semester to
discuss assignments, expectations, and grades.
Texts
Mitch Albom - Tuesdays With Morrie (Doubleday, 1997)Course Attributes
Paul Pearsall - The Pleasure Prescription (Hunter House, 1996)
Beauchamp and Veatch - Ethical Issues in Death and Dying
(Prentice Hall, second edition, 1996)
The Dalai Lama - Sleeping, Dreaming, And Dying (Wisdom, 1997)
LA (Liberal Arts), IM (Integrative Perspectives: Moral and Ethical), WS2 (Writing Skills) and CW (Communication Skills: Writing)
