Department of Social & Policy Sciences, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
SP50180 Ritual and belief |
| Credits: 12 |
| Level: Masters |
| Semester: 1 |
| Assessment: ES100 |
| Requisites: |
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Aims: In most societies, the following are closely related: a) dying, funerals and mourning rituals, b) beliefs about the soul, c) how bodies are disposed of (cremation, burial, etc). This unit will examine the connections between these in a number of societies and religions, with particular emphasis on the modern world. The unit aims to:
* introduce the main variations in dying, funeral, memorial, and disposal rituals and practices * analyse how such practices connect with systems of belief - in world religions, indigenous religions, and contemporary spiritualities and secularities * analyse how the teaching of any one religion about death varies between societies and over time * conceptualise personal experiences - such as nearing death awareness and relationships with the dead - that may not be recognised by medicine or religion. * analyse contemporary change in funeral rites and organisation; in discourses of spirituality in health care; and in forms of disposal and commemoration * analyse contemporary debates and policy issues * critically introduce the relevance to the above questions of a number of disciplines, including sociology, history, archaeology, anthropology, religious studies. Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to: * Critically assess explanations of variation and change in dying, funeral, memorial and disposal practices, and their relation to belief and secularisation. * Analyse the complex and varied relation of religious teachings about death to everyday practice and experience * Analyse and critically evaluate the role of spirituality in end-of-life care and policy issues in burial and cremation. * Evaluate critically the significance, limitations and contributions of various disciplines to the analysis of death ritual and belief, and demonstrate a critical ability to employ a mix of disciplines in the analysis of substantive issues. * Analyse the relation between experiences around death and the languages used to describe them. Skills: * Develop skills to reflect on the suitability of diverse approaches for investigating and analysing problems. * Synthesise information from a variety of academic perspectives for a relevant understanding of theoretical and practical approaches. * Appreciate and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a range of policy approaches. * Identify and access relevant information sources. * Communicate complex issues and perspectives through written and oral media. * Develop skills of time management, workload prioritisation and related planning skills. * Develop writing and presentation skills. Content: RITUAL * Anthropological theories * Historical & comparative perspectives * The contribution of archaeology BELIEF & RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE * Death, religion, culture, spirituality, secularisation * Dying, funerals and mourning in world religions * Nearing death awareness and near death experiences * Ghosts, ancestors, and mediums * Spirituality, secularisation, and ageing MODERNITY * Spirituality and end-of-life care * Burial and cremation * Shrines and memorials. |