Seminar on Care at the End of Life: This course will provide an opportunity for students to discuss and reflect on the
contemporary realities of medical practice which challenge some basic
assumptions as to when death occurs and when is a person “dead”. In addition, students will examine
contemporary efforts to rediscover old wisdoms concerning care for dying
patients and ways in which communities of faith might reclaim some of the ancient
practices of ars moriendi, the “art
of dying.” Students examine the
phenomena of chronic illness, suffering and dying from a variety of historical,
biblical, theological, pastoral care, medical-physiological, psychosocial from a
cross cultural perspective. Students also examine contemporary modalities of
care for persons at the end of life, including tertiary palliative care, the
hospice movement and ancillary “death with dignity” organizations. Course goals
include developing the student’s ability to care for persons with chronic and
terminal illness in ways that are shaped by a variety of theological and
religio-cultural understandings of suffering, dying and death. To do so with
integrity, students will also explore dimensions of what constitutes health and
wholeness, as well as grief and mourning and burial rituals from various religio-cultural
perspectivesPrereq: PCC500; by permission for masters students.
- Profesor: Esther Acolatse