BFS 310 - Thanatology (5 Qtr. Credits)

This course is intended to familiarize the student with the study of death and dying. Students will discuss various societal attitudes about death and how death is addressed and taught in society, how the current healthcare system supports or hinders the process of dying, end-of-life concerns for the terminally ill and their families, and the impact on survivors from traumatic or sudden death circumstances.

BFS 311 – Applied Thanatology (5 Qtr. Credits)

This course is designed to expose the student to the professional practice of thanatology and to deliver that in-depth knowledge and comprehensive training so you’ll be ready to positively impact lives. It is intended to familiarize the student with deeper aspects of thanatology, and components that overlap with professional work in end-of-life careers. Students will learn the difference between a disposition and a funeral rite, the value of meaning-making and the impact on mental health, what a death doula is and is not, setting appropriate boundaries and navigating dual-relationships, techniques for improving self-care and reducing compassion fatigue, contemporary issues in end-of-life careers and methods for engaging with the public.

BFS 315 – Death Companioning (5 Qtr. Credits)

In this course, students will become familiar with the modern American death landscape, identify the differences between hospice and palliative care, learn about the stages of active death, identify normal childhood developmental comprehension of death and the history of death companioning. Students will be able to give examples of compassion fatigue, distinguish between sympathy and empathy, and describe the appropriate role of a death companion.

BFS 316 – Applied Death Companioning (5 Qtr. Credits)

In Applied Death Companioning, students will be able to compare and contrast the different roles of death companions, death doulas, funeral directors and other end-of-life professionals. Students will learn to create a death plan and meaning-based memorial service. The concept of legacy work will be explored as will the intersection of death companioning and deathcare. Ethical boundaries and contemporary challenges facing death companioning will be taught.