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SP10186: Funeral ritual and ceremony

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 5
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: This unit is only available to students on the Foundation Degree in Funeral Services.
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
This unit will focus on national and local funeral rites. These are often based on traditional practices but are also subject to change. This unit aims to:
* Provide students with knowledge and understanding of the main variations in funeral, memorial and final disposal practices in UK societies.
* Provide students with explanations for these variations.
* Enable students to reflect on changes in funeral rites and ceremonies.
* Assist students to understand contemporary debates and changing practices in relation to funeral rites and ceremonies.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit students will be able to:
* Understand variations and changes to funeral ritual practices in the UK.
* Describe the religious and secular ceremonies commonly used in funeral rituals in the UK.
* Discuss social and ethnic diversity issues relating to funerals.
* Consider the usefulness of theory to funeral practice.
* Consider the nature of local funeral rites and identify some of the major social trends that account for their nature.

Skills:

* To think creatively and analytically;
* To evaluate arguments and research;
* To apply knowledge of cultural diversity to practice;
* To identify theory in relation to practice;
* To synthesise information from a number of sources in order to gain a coherent understanding;
* To recognise how working with issues around mortality impacts on our sense of self identity and the way we view others.

Content:

* Introduction to the purpose of funeral rituals and ceremonies (block teaching);
* Rites of passage;
* The history of funeral rituals in England;
* The rise of the funeral professional;
* Introduction to the case study assignment;
* Viewing practices;
* An example of funeral ritual in the UK;
* Preparation for presentation of case study;
* Presentation and discussion of case study (block teaching).
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

SP10186 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.