Death and Dying Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

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Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

PSYT-1325-001 Death and Dying

Prerequisites

Course Description

Study of the cultural and social norms, values, beliefs and behaviors associated with end-of-life experiences.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

Student Performance

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Grading Criteria

Dr. Alan Kee

Professor of Psychology

Amarillo College

Syllabus

Death and Dying (WEB) 

Fall 2019 (16 Week)

Welcome to Death and Dying Online!

To view the Syllabus and the Course Schedule / Assignments go to the Home Page for the course and then go to the Lessons tab. 

Please take the time to read this Syllabus in its entirety!  It contains important information on how this course operates. 

Critical Information on How To Use Email in This Course!

In order to receive email from the instructor you must use your AC Connect Google Email account.  If you do not activate and use your AC Connect Google Email account, you will be lost in this course because you will not be able to receive email from your instructor. 

There is one way to email your instructor.  You must use your AC Connect Google Email account, and you will have to construct your email from within the course you are taking.  Go to the top left hand corner of the home page of the course and click “Send Email” to construct your e-mail from within the course.  Next, you will click on “All Instructor Users,” and make sure your email is being sent to Jeffery Kee (your instructor for this course). 

Also, students are responsible for accessing e-mail messages sent to their AC Connect Google Email account; thus, students are responsible to check their AC Connect Google Email account on a daily basis.  The instructor will only respond to e-mails sent from the student’s AC Connect Google Email account.  These e-mails must identify the applicable class in the subject line; this information is automatically included in messages sent from within the course when you use your AC Connect Google Email account.  

If you do not follow these instructions, you email is at risk of getting lost.  I teach six courses per semester, and I have to create folders in my Outlook e-mail for each class.  If you follow these instructions, your email will automatically go into the proper folder for your course, and I will then be able to respond to you in a timely manner. 

You will need to learn how to use email in this course by viewing two tutorial videos on how to access email as a student in the portal and on how to send email from Blackboard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Bb857-WJX9w

http://screencast.com/t/0jlcsuLrdj

Introduce Yourself

If you are attending this class, your Introduction Assignment is to complete an introduction on yourself in order to be counted as attending.  This Introduction Assignment also allows me and your classmates to get to know you.  Please briefly tell the class your name, major, and your career plan.  You will post your response by clicking on Discussions.  Post your brief introduction in the “First Assignment: Your Introduction” discussion. 

You must make this post by Friday August 30. The reason for this assignment is that the college needs proof that you are participating in the class before your first written assignment. **If you do not complete this assignment, you will be considered NOT attending and you WILL BE DROPPED from the course.  And, your financial aid can be terminated.** 

COURSE NAME: Death and Dying (WEB) 

COURSE NUMBER: PSYT-1325

HOURS: 3 Credit Hours

FACULTY: Alan Kee, Ph.D.

OFFICE:  Dutton Hall 202N

PHONE:  806-371-5183 is my office number.  The best way to reach me is through email using your AC Connect Google Email account.   If you need to contact me by phone, you are more likely to reach me by my cell #: 806-336-2143.

E-MAIL: I prefer that you email me using the instructions I provided at the beginning of this syllabus.  In those instructions, I indicate that you must use your AC Connect Google Email account.  This way I will know which course you are in and I can keep track of our messages. If for some reason you cannot get your AC Connect Google Email account to work you may email me at jakee@actx.edu until you get your AC Connect Google Email account to work.

OFFICE HOURS:  MW 3 pm - 4 pm, and by appointment.

PREREQUISITE: Scores on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills or a C or higher in RDNG 0331.
 

COURSE DESCRIPTION/PURPOSE AND GOALS OF COURSE:

This course will explore the social, psychological, cultural, and personal experiences of death, grief, and loss. Current theories and research regarding the study of death and dying will also be introduced and discussed. Attention is also given to appropriate coping strategies for dealing with death and for aiding others in the coping process.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. To analyze contemporary attitudes and beliefs about death. 

2. To understand the practices of dying and subsequent coping skills. 

3. To understand the process and rituals associated with bereavement. 

4. To explore the impact of death, dying, and bereavement on the family. 

5. To understand legal and ethical issues associated with death and dying.

TEXTS:

Kastenbaum, R. J. (2012). Death, Society, and Human Experience (11th Ed.). Pearson. 

Klicker, R. (2007). Funeral Service Psychology and Counseling.  Thanos Institue.  ISBN 978-0-964796-73-7 Thanos Institute 800-742-8257

DISABILITY STATEMENT:

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Location: WARE 300B;
(806) 345-5639) as soon as possible.

MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES AT AC

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student’s ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900.  The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/.  Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website iswww.actx.edu/arc

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement. It is the responsibility of the student to attend class.

ADMINISTRATIVE DROP POLICY:

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped.

MAKEUP POLICY:

No exams will be given after the deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency such as death in the family or illness. In such a case you must provide documentation from a physician or psychologist indicating that you were not able to complete the exam.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE EXAMS?

1. This is a three hour course. An estimate of study time outside of class is 3 hours for every 1 hour in class. Therefore, you need to plan on spending at least 9 hours per week in studying for this class outside of class. 

2. Studying in college is a complex task in that it involves many factors such as time management skills, reading ability, nutrition, exercise, study skills, motivation, sleep, and stress among others. The guidelines offered in this section may help to some degree. However, I recommend that you take the course on Student Success at AC and/or read books on study skills, motivation, time management, and stress management.

3. Achieving success in this course will require a time commitment. I recommend that you prepare for your exams and for class by ACTIVELY reading and outlining (taking detailed notes) the assignments.  Then, I suggest you take practice exam questions.

4. I recommend that you use a word processor to create your own outline of the reading material. After you complete this process, you have a way to test your knowledge level and you will have covered the material in a systematic and comprehensive manner. This process will allow you to “chunk” the material into smaller pieces, which is more effective than trying to “digest” it all at once by cramming or just “reading over” or skimming over the reading.

5. If you are having difficulty with the material, you may want to receive tutoring or study skills training free of charge from the Access Center (Library; 3rd floor). There are also many web sites on study skills and strategies.

6. Study "How To Prepare For Exams" and “How to Study by Summarizing and Marking the Text.”  This information will help you to develop effective study skills. These documents can be found under the Lessons Tab.   

7.  Students report that it is helpful to make a flash card for each paragraph of reading material.  They ask a question on one side of the card and answer it in their own words on the other side of the card.  Then, they have a way of testing their understanding of the content. 

EXAMS:

1. How many exams are there in this course?

There will be four multiple choice EXAMS.  The four exams include Exam 1, Exam 2, Exam 3 and a Comprehensive Final Exam.  The four exams will be taken online.  Each exam is scored on a 100 point scale.  

2. Do I have to take the Final Exam if I am satisfied with my scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3?

You do not have to take the Final exam if you are satisfied with your scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3. 

The lowest exam score out of the four is automatically dropped.  Therefore, if you are satisfied with your scores on Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3, then you have the option to not take the Comprehensive Final Exam. 

Because the lowest exam score is dropped, there will be no make-up exams.  If you miss a scheduled exam for any reason, that exam will be the exam score that will be dropped.   The purpose for the drop grade is so that you can miss an exam for any reason, such as death in the family, illness, vacation, having a baby, not able to get your books on time, not having access to a computer, having to work, forgetting to take an exam, etc. 

3. How many questions are on the exams?  How much time do we have to take each exam? 

Each online exam will have 50 questions that will be randomly selected from a test generator.  Each online exam will have a time limit of 75 minutes (approximately 1.5 minutes per test item), so you will not have much time to look up the answers.  In other words, you will need to know the information well before you take the online exams. 

4. What time do the exams open and close? 

The exams start at 12:00 am on the scheduled start date, and they will turn off at 11:55 pm on the last day scheduled for the exam.  Therefore, you will need to be sure to allow plenty of time to take the exam.  You need to allow an hour and a half to take an exam, even though most students will finish in about 50 minutes. 

5. What are the basic instructions for taking the exams online?

All exams will be taken online.  You are allowed to use your notes on the exams.  You will be able to see only one question at a time, and you will have one attempt for each question.  You are not penalized for guessing.  You will not be able to go back and review or answer questions.  Do not skip any questions. If you do, the question will be counted as incorrect. There is no penalty for guessing.  Remember to click the “submit” button at the end of your exam. 

The computer will allow you to stop the exam at any given time during the time allowed.  You can then go back into the exam and resume taking the exam.  However, no matter how many times you stop and resume the exam, the timer NEVER STOPS.  For example, let's say that you have an exam set for 75 minutes. You start taking the exam at 3:00pm.  Again, no matter how many times you stop and resume the exam, the timer NEVER STOPS.  (If you stop an exam, the timer will continue to run.)  Therefore, your access to the exam will be over at 4:15 (75 minutes) no matter how many times you start and stop the exam. 

Please review the test dates in this course schedule. If your schedule cannot accommodate these dates and times, you will need to drop this course and find a course that will work with your schedule. No exams will be given after the deadlines posted in your course schedule with the exception of a true emergency such as death in the family or serious illness. In such a case you must provide documentation from a physician or psychologist indicating that you were not able to complete the final exam.

6. What is the penalty for cheating on an exam or paper?

You may NOT have another person with you at the time that you are taking one of the online exams.  If there is indication that you received help during an online exam or paper, the penalty will be an F in the course and likely expulsion from Amarillo College.  

7. Do you release the tests or allow additional time to go back and review the exams?

For test security purposes I do not release the tests or allow additional time to go back and review the exams.  I offset this policy with open book / open note exams, simulated practice test questions, participation grade, and grade adjustments for each exam based on the number of questions missed by the class.  Also, there is a recommended study guide with many similar practice test questions. 

8. Do you offer extra credit?

There is not an “extra credit” option.  I want you to learn how to do college level work and do well in your class as opposed to passing a class based on extra credit.  I want you to learn the study skills necessary to be successful as you continue taking courses in college.  I recommend that you take the First Year Seminar course at AC on how to be a successful student - you would need to talk to your advisor about this class.  That course teaches you how to study and take exams so you can be successful in your future college courses.

9. Do you round up grades that are “borderline?”

Yes, I round up grades that are “borderline”, for example, 79.5 would be rounded up to a “B” and a 79.4 would round to a “C.”   

10. Where do I go to check my grades?

In order to check your grades, you can go to “My Grades” on the Home Page for the course. 

11. How do I calculate my grade in the course?

Here is an example of how to calculate your grade.  The Exams are worth 70% of your grade and the three Unit Discussions are worth 30% of the grade in the class. 

Let us say, for example, that you made an 82 on exam 1, a 79 on exam 2, and a 93 on exam 3.  (The Final Exam would count as your drop grade.)  And, you made a 100 on Unit One Discussion, an 80 on Unit Two Discussion, and a 90 on Unit Three Discussion. 

First take the average of the exam grades: 82 + 79 + 93 = 245/3 = 84.67.  Then, multiply the average exam grade score by 70%:  84.67 x .70 = 59.27. 

Then take the average of the three Unit Discussions grades: 100 + 80 + 90 = 270/3 = 90.  Then, multiply this average score 30%: 90 x .30 = 27. 

Add 59.27 + 27.00 = 86.27; your grade in the class would be a "B."

12. What is the Grading Schema for the Final Grades?

89.5 to 100 = A

79.5 to 89.4 = B

69.5 to 79.4 = C

59.5 to 69.4 = D

0 to 59.4 = F

13. What are the weight of the assignments?

The Exams and the Discussions are each worth 100 points.  The Exams are worth 70% of the course grade and the Discussions are worth 30% of the course grade.

14. Explain how Blackboard grades the exams.  Blackboard is the software that runs the exams in your course.

The lowest exam grade out of the four exams will be automatically dropped.  After you have taken exam 1, that test grade will NOT be calculated in the Course Average until you have completed exam 2.  If you have only taken exam 1, then that exam score is being dropped for now, meaning that it will not show in the Course Average.   

Let’s look at another example.  Let us say that you have only taken exam 1 and exam 2 and that you made an 82 on exam 1, and a 79 on exam 2.  Under “Exams AVG” (Exams Average) Blackboard is going to show that you have an Exams Average grade of 82 at that time because it is automatically dropping the lowest exam grade (the grade of 79). 

Now, let us say, for example, that you made an 82 on exam 1, a 79 on exam 2, and a 93 on exam 3.  Under “Exams AVG” (Exams Average) Blackboard is going to show that you have an Exams Average grade of 87.5 at that time because it is automatically dropping the lowest exam grade (the grade of 79).  Here, Blackboard is averaging the 82 and the 93 to get an Exams Average grade of 87.5.  Notice that Blackboard is NOT taking into account the Final Exam!  It is only dropping the lowest exam grade out of Exam 1, Exam 2, and Exam 3 and giving you an average. 

Now, let us say, for example, that you made an 82 on exam 1, a 79 on exam 2, a 93 on exam 3, and a 63 on the final exam.  Under “Exams AVG” (Exams Average) Blackboard is going to show that you have an Exams Average grade of 84.67 at that time because it is automatically dropping the lowest exam grade (the grade of 63).  Here, Blackboard is averaging the 82, 79, and the 93 to get an Exams Average grade of 84.67. 

Please be aware that the Course Average grade that you see will NOT BE ACCURATE UNTIL all of the Exams, Discussions / (PBL) Problem Based Learning Assignments, and Service Learning Project have been completed for the class.  Therefore, you need to calculate your grade by hand to help determine your decision whether or not to take the final exam.  When attempting to make a decision to take the Final Exam or not, you would count your Final Exam as a zero in your calculations, making it the exam grade that is dropped.

GENERAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

When you go to Lessons Tab and then to Discussions, you will see General Questions and Answers.  Here, you can ask a question or provide comments that the entire class (including your instructor) can see. 

If you have general questions (and answers) that other students may benefit from, please direct them to the instructor (or class) by posting them in General Questions and Answers. When I answer the question (or when you answer a question) in "General Questions and Answers", all students will be able to see my (and your) responses. If I fail to respond to your question that you post in the “General Questions and Answers,” please send me a direct email and remind me of your post.  Students infrequently post questions in the “General Questions and Answers” discussion board so I do not check it daily. 
 

DISCUSSIONS / PARTICIPATION:

How do we participate in this online class?

Your Course Schedule (found in the Lessons Tab) will give you the instructions for participation as you proceed through the assignments of the course.

The basic idea is that I will provide a discussion question that you answer based on the reading assignment and/or lectures.  By participating in class, the class will become more interesting and rewarding as more students actively share their ideas.

Furthermore, the group discussion will be a safe place to share ideas. The rules of the group do not allow group members to put another person down for their idea. I will respect you, and I expect you to respect me and the other group members. I also expect you to have carefully read the assigned chapter before you post your response.

Where do we go to post our discussion response in the class?

Participation occurs in this class by clicking on Discussions (on the Home Page for the course), and then click on the specific unit for the discussion question you are working on.  You will then post your discussion response into the appropriate unit. 

It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the discussion is posted.  You should post directly into the Discussion for the assigned Unit.  Do not post your discussion as an attachment.  After the discussion is posted, it is the student’s responsibility to check to make sure that their discussion in fact was posted. 

Where do we find the homework assignments?

All homework assignments are found in your Course Schedule / Assignments (found under the Lessons Tab).

What types of homework assignments will we have?

Homework assignments consist of reading and outlining the assigned reading material, watching video lectures, and completing discussion assignments. 

Are we required to respond to other students posts?

It depends on the assignment.  Some of the discussion assignments require you to provide a peer response. I do believe that the class will be more interesting if you do make some genuine responses to other people's responses. (See Course Schedule for details about Discussions.)

Do we need to save a copy of our responses?

Yes. I recommend that you write your response in Word, and save a copy in your files. If there is a problem with the online course, then you will have a backup copy. You also need to run spell check, grammar check, and then post it into the course. Do NOT post your discussion as an attachment.

Is there a penalty if my discussion does not meet the required length or if it is late?

I will not take a discussion paper that does not meet the 400 word required minimum.  You may redo the paper and incur a 20 point penalty.  You should use a word processor to write your discussion response. Your word processor should give you a word count for your discussion papers.

What are the ground rules for group discussion?

The objective of establishing ground rules is to honor free speech and the dignity, respect, and worth of everyone in the classroom.

• In order to create a climate for open and honest discussion and to encourage the broadest range of viewpoints, it is important for class participants to treat each other with respect. Name calling, accusations, verbal attacks, sarcasm, and other negative exchanges are counterproductive to successful teaching and learning about topics.

• The purpose of class discussions is to generate greater understanding about different topics. The expression of the broadest range of ideas, including dissenting views, accomplishes this goal. However, in expressing viewpoints, students should try to raise questions and comments in a way that will promote learning, rather than defensiveness and conflict in other students. Thus, questions and comments should be asked or stated in such a way that will promote greater insight into and awareness of topics as opposed to anger and conflict.

Example of a question that may put students on the defensive: Why do you insist on calling yourself Hispanic? That's wrong. It seems to me that Latino is the correct term? Can you explain to me why you insist on using the term Hispanic?

Example of a non-defensive question: I don't understand. What is the difference between the terms Hispanic and Latino?

• Learning is both about sharing different views and actively listening to those with different views. Students in this class are expected to do both. Learning is maximized when many different viewpoints are expressed in the classroom.

• Keep the discussion and comments on the topic, not on the individual. Don't personalize the dialogue. Rather than personalizing the dialogue, please direct challenging comments or questions to the instructor or the entire class.

• Remember that it is OK to disagree with each other. Let's agree to disagree. The purpose of dialogue and discussion is not to reach a consensus, nor to convince each other of different viewpoints. Rather, the purpose of dialogue in the classroom is to reach higher levels of learning by examining different viewpoints and opinions.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS:
If you experience a technical problem with some online aspect of the course, you will need to contact the Helpdesk at 371-5992.

DROPPING/AUDITING THE CLASS:
If you are struggling with this course, please call me well before you drop the class!  In many cases we are able to make some adjustments and get the student back on track.  Please do not feel embarrassed to call me.  In many cases we can find ways to keep you in the class.  Withdrawing from a class should be a last resort only when all other options and interventions have been exhausted.

The last day to withdraw is 11/26/19.  You must first visit with your instructor in order to officially drop a class.  Then, your instructor will set the process in motion with the Registrar's office. If you simply stop attending, a grade of F will appear on your transcript. An F will have a strong negative effect on your GPA.

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information