D&D Experiential Project Options Spring 07 (Pick 2)

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Death and Dying, Life and Living
Experiential Project Options Spring 2008
Kay Fowler

(You must complete two of these; Exp. Proj. 1 Due Class 7; Exp. Proj. 2 Due Class 11) Below are various acceptable options. I am willing to entertain a proposal from you for alternative activities but it must be approved in advance.

NOTE: IF YOU SELECT THE SERVICE LEARNING OPTION OF THE CLASS YOU NEED ONLY SUBMIT ONE OF THE EXPERIENTIAL PROJECTS AND YOU ARE EXEMPT FROM THE MIDTERM EXAM. For more information see http://phobos.ramapo.edu/~kfowler/d&dservicelearning.html

Relevant Events On campus: Attend one and write a brief summary of the key message of the event and then a 2-3 page thoughtful analysis of how the event illuminated or enriched various considerations regarding death and dying. The analysis should connect the event to specific readings and class discussion from the course. (A list of other approved events will be available early in the semester once the fall events schedule is posted. Others may be proposed to me for indivdidual approval.)

Some options:

“10 Questions for the Dalai Lama” by filmmaker Rick Ray. Screening/Discussion

Fri., 2/22 at 2:00 pm in Friend’s Hall-SC219. Student Platinum Series.

If you could meet one person in the world, who would it be and why? Filmmaker Rick Ray examines some of the fundamental questions of our time by weaving together observations from his own journeys throughout India and the Middle East, and the wisdom of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Contains rare historical footage, as well as footage supplied by individuals who filmed with hidden cameras within Tibet

Discussion of Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking

Thurs. 2/28, 4:00 p.m. Women’s Center Student Platinum Series

Barefoot Gen/Hadashi no Gen (1983, Mori Masaki, Japan, 83 mins., animé)

Thurs., 2/28 @ 8:00 pm HWing Auditorium CA Cinamatheque

Gen and his family are living in Hiroshima as Japan nears the end of World War II. Gen's father has come to believe that the war is unwinnable, thus earning the wrath of the town officials and, in turn, discrimination from the rest of their neighbors. Shunned by the local merchants and tradesmen, food becomes scarce for Gen and his family. All these concerns soon pale, however, as the American military begins its final assault on Japan with the unleashing of its terrible new weapon

Film, Spike Lee's Four Little Girls; Guest Speaker: Gwen Moten

Thu. 3/6 at 3:45 p.m. Sharp Theater Ramapo Africana Film Festival

Resistance: Untold Stories of Jewish Partisans (2001, Daniel B. Polin, producer, USA, ABC News/PBS, 60 mins.)

Thurs., 3/27 @ 6:30 pm Hwing Auditorium CA Cinamatheque

The Holocaust conjures images of Nazi death camps and little resistance, beyond the Warsaw ghetto uprising. Yet up to 30,000 Jews may have fled to Europe's forests, arming themselves to fight the Nazis, with rebellions in other ghettos and in some camps. Rare archival footage, historical photographs, and original artwork by partisan fighter Alexander Bogen document the lost history, as surviving partisans recount the decision to fight back.

Remembrance Day

Wed. 4/23 3p.m. Berrie Center/Sharp Theater

In honor of those members of the Ramapo Community who died during 2007.

Living With Grief: Children and Adolescents;

Hospice Foundation of America’s 15th annual National Bereavement Teleconference, Wed. 4/ 16, 1:30-4:00pm telecast; 30 minute local discussion following.

Sponsored by Hospice Foundation of America, SSHS, the Social Work Program and the Nursing Program.

ADEC (Association for Death Education and Counseling) National Conference in Montreal, Canada

April 30-May 3 If interested discuss with Kay Fowler

Others will be announced as soon as the semester's events are publicized. If you are aware of an event that you believe would be appropriate please bring it to my attention for approval.

Off-campus visits: Visit one of the following and complete the appropriate worksheet as specified.

1. Funeral Home Visit: Visit a funeral home and interview a funeral director. Guidelines available through WebCT under D&D Resources/D&D Project Resources.

2. Hospice or Nursing Home Visit: Visit a hospice or nursing home and interview staff Guidelines available through WebCT under D&D Resources/D&D Project Resources.

3. Cemetery Visit: Visit a cemetery and prepare a report Guidelines available through WebCT under D&D Resources/D&D Project Resources.

4. Attorney Visit: Visit an attorney who specializes in estate planning and probate. Guidelines available through WebCT under D&D Resources/D&D Project Resources.

5. Emergency Personnel Interview: Interview a firefighter, police officer, Emergency Medical Service person, or Emergency Room physician or nurse about their experiences with and coping strategies for dealing with multiple encounters with trauma, death, and grief. Be sure to get formal signed permission from the person to write up what they have said and, if possible, get them to read what you have written about the interview.

Personal Activities: Do one of the following activities thoughtfully, carefully, and as it serves your needs. Do not choose this option if you are not willing to do the research and emotional work needed to complete it well. Also ≠ in order to get credit for this activity you must be willing to share your results with me. This is a personal decision that you need to make. (Note: this does not mean that you canπt complete this activity for yourself and not submit it for credit! I would encourage all of you to do all of these when you can.)

1. Complete thoughtfully and fully a Five Wishes document (see Five Wishes handout).

2. Draw up a plan for the activities you would wish to follow your death (wake, funeral, memorial service, cremation, burial, tree planting, etc.) Provide a full and thoughtful script as a guide to the person(s) who will be carrying out your wishes. Indicate clearly who you expect those person(s) to be. You can even go so far as to pre-arrange burial/cremation etc. with a funeral home.

3. Research what guidelines, policies, and resources your employer offers in terms of a) extended illness b) caregiving for someone who is gravely ill or dying or 3) bereavement. Develop a set of resources and guidelines that you think your employer should consider adopting.