Death Education as a Learning Experience. SCIP No. 3.

Overview & Synopsis

This monograph on death education defines death education, discusses the need for it, and suggests ways of teaching it. Death education is defined as the process by which one explores man's relationship with life. The basic philosophy underlying death education is that through the study of death students will gain an appreciation for life which will be reflected in their behavior, and that by understanding death, they can try to prevent needless death for themselves and others. The monograph lists points which should be taken into consideration when planning a unit or course in death education and suicide prevention, and presents questions that teachers of such courses should be able to answer in defense of death education. Sample topics, behavioral objectives, and questions pertaining to death education for advanced high school students are also presented, along with sample assignments from a college level death education course. A bibliography of suggested class readings is included. Appended are suggestions for school personnel for helping bereaved students. A selected annotated bibliography of ERIC documents on death education concludes the monograph. (DDO)