“Death is our friend,

precisely because it brings us

into absolute and passionate presence

with all that is here, that is natural, that is love.”

― Rainer Marie Rilke

Introduction - Course Home Page

Welcome to my Spring 2023 Pure Online Psych 56 Canvas Course Home Page!

Over the duration of this 17-Week Spring, 2023 Semester Course, there are tasks that must be completed in a timely manner.

This webpage is the "Front Page," otherwise known as the "Home Page," for my Psych 56 "Aging, Dying, & Death" Course. If you wish to get started immediately, read this web page carefully and then proceed to the Course Syllabus link, which is always found in the "navigational toolbar" in the left hand margin sidebar of the course website. The syllabus has links for getting started with the course. But please don't cut corners. It realistically takes two-to-four hours to become fully familiar with this canvas class website.

Please note that all communications for this course are always posted in the Announcements section, which is always found in the "navigational toolbar" in the left sidebar (in gray) of this course webpage. So check there often!

Students who do not complete the New Class Check-In Discussion Board Post prior to 11:59 PM, Saturday, January 21, 2023 will be considered a "non-participating student" and dropped from this course. Their class spot will be given to another student on the college "electronic wait list."

In the event of class closure (full), there is an automatic "electronic wait list" in place. Please DO NOT contact departmental staff about a matter that is out of our hands.

Please note that professor will be (for the most part) unavailable for email, other communications, and/or website management until January 11, 2023. This website becomes fully operational --- on or before January 11, 2023. Please become fully familiar with the website when it opens. ALL aspects of this course are entirely online. See particulars below.

“Life's short!

Eat dessert first!"

― Dr. J. Davis Mannino

Welcome

Spring, 2023 Semester

Hi! Welcome to my class. To assure your success please read the following carefully. I want you to start off on the right foot and do well in my class and at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC). Take a moment and Meet Your Professor!

STOP! READ CAREFULLY Please click on the Course Syllabus icon located in the "Navigational Toolbar" in the left sidebar of this webpage. Be certain you review all the links located in the syllabus very carefully before signing up and proceeding with this course. It is especially crucial that you read all the content in the Course Basics section of the "Course Syllabus." Within Course Basics, two of the most important areas to review are the Workload and Grading Policy sections.

When you have a good understanding of all this information, read and review thoroughly Module #0 entitled: "Things To Do Before Starting This Course." This course is divided into 15 modules. Each module has a series of tasks that flow from one task to another. You should have reviewed the modules section within the course syllabus link.

When this website opens, do NOT complete any assignments until after you are fully familiar with the course website. Also it might be wise to wait until just a few days before the actual start of classes as the website is often still "under construction." Early submissions may be lost in "cyberspace" until the course website and gradebook is fully operational. The gradebook for submissions opens only a few days before the actual start of classes. So beware! If you are eager to get started, secure your books, start reading, and spend other time becoming familiar with ALL aspects of the course website.

When the website is operational, registered students should officially complete the New Class Check-In Discussion Board Post located in the "Discussions" section and then begin fully exploring the course Website. Also, please report any errors or glitches to me ASAP. Thank you.

Due to professor time limitations, use email for all correspondence. Telephone calls in all likelihood will not be returned in any timely fashion, as course is conducted off campus.

Internet Surf's Up! Good Surfing!

Course Organization (brief) - Section 5334

Please be aware that this is a pure Online Class Section of Introduction to Aging, Dying, & Death. Participation in this special class requires considerable writing skills, intensive effort at times, and a mature discipline to complete satisfactorily.
Please note that you must take at least four out of five exams. You may take them during any two-hour block you wish on exam day. Exam days are always on a Saturday.
NOTE: If you are unable to take exams and complete assignments during the times and dates so mandated for this course then you should NOT sign up for this course.
To be successful in this course, students must have home access to a modern computer, the Internet through an ISP connection, and email capabilities. It is important to know how to send attachments using "Microsoft Word." Other types of word processing software are unacceptable for this particular course. The interface between AOL and this course has proven to be problematic when using their web browser. So if you must use AOL, be certain to work with Firefox, Safari, or a current Microsoft Explorer browser within AOL.
Students need a savvy understanding of how computers work and how to use the Internet reasonably well. The professor does not provide computer training.
It is highly recommended that a student considering taking this online course, or for that matter any online course, first read: New To Online Learning? --- Are Online Classes Right For You?
If --- after reviewing all there is to know about my websites --- you feel unable to successfully complete an online course, consider taking SRJC's three-week course entitled: "How To Take An Online Course." The course name is CSKLS 334 and is taught out of the college skills department. It is worth credit too.

Course Description (brief)

This course involves an in-depth analysis of traditional and contemporary psychological perspectives on aging, death, and dying, a discipline more formally called thanatology. In recognition of our "global village" of multi-culturalism, a major cultural and diversity component is woven into the course fabric.

Particular emphasis will be given to the following death related topics: Sociocultural forces; cultural and historical; mortality and society; patients, staff, and institutions; end-of-life issues and decisions; life threatening illnesses; rites and rituals; dynamics of loss; children, adolescents, and adults issues in death; suicide; risks, perils, and traumatic death, and questions of beyond death and afterlife and personal and social choices.

"Student Learning Outcomes" & "Course Outline of Record (COR)"

Click on the following link for: (1) Student Learning Outcomes and (2) Official Course Outline of Record (COR) Student Learning Outcomes and COR

Expectations

As with "face-to-face" classes, students are expected to: (1) participate (attend) in a robust manner, (2) meet deadlines, (3) maintain timeliness in message board participation and submissions, and (4) submit all projects in a timely manner.
A student is dropped from my class when participation and deadlines are not timely in more than three classes.Please note there is no distinction between excused (i.e., medical, etc.,) and unexcused absences.
Dropped From Class & Attendance Q: Dr. Mannino, what are the rules for being dropped from the class upon enrollment? ANS: As with an in-person class, an online class also has attendance requirements. Students are considered a "no-show" [that is, no longer enrolled in my class], if some combination of the following occurs. A student fails to "check-in" at the website prior to the close of check-in [Class 2], and/or fails to submit the assignment intake form entitled: "Getting To Know You" by the assigned deadline [Class 3]. These tasks comprise three classes and are in keeping with college policy concerning the dropping of students from class.

Hardware and Software

Because this is an Internet-based class, students should be aware they will need:

Access to the Internet via a modem or high-speed connection such as cable or DSL.
A recent version of Web browser software --- I recommend Firefox or Chrome.
An email account and ability to access that account for sending and receiving messages.
A sufficiently powerful computer with a modern operating system capable of supporting those requirements. Students who don't possess a suitable computer with all the necessary software will need to make arrangements for reliable, convenient access to necessary hardware and software, such as through their work place or SRJC campus computer labs.
A word processing application-program such as "Microsoft Word."
Use of and familiarity with "PDF" files. Download the free Adobe Reader application.
Computer related hardware or software problems will not constitute an acceptable excuse for failing to complete assignments on time.

Textbook & The Last Dance Website

1. Assigned Textbook - The Last Dance (11th ed.) by Lynne Ann DeSpelder and Albert Lee Strickland (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2020).

2. Amazon.com is a very easy and convenient online website to order this assigned textbook from (buy or rent). Right below is the direct link to purchase from Amazon.com.

https://www.amazon.com/Last-Dance-Encountering-Death-Dying/dp/1259870480/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1335907194950917&hvadid=83494271103255&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=4084&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83494552053921%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22160_10502896&keywords=the+last+dance+11th+edition&qid=1659543087&sr=8-1

3. This book may be purchased at the campus bookstore or online. There is a nifty link for ordering online at the SRJC Bookstore. That link is below. 3. Locate and order textbooks online via SRJC bookstore

4. The Last Dance Website: https://highered.mheducation.com/sites/1259870480/instructor_view0/test_builder.htm?existinguser=true

Texting

You can add a text or SMS communication channel to receive Canvas notifications on your cell phone. Text or SMS channels appear under the Other Contacts sidebar heading.

Once you have enabled the contact method, learn how to Set Notification Preferences.

Note: If you have a mobile device and have enabled push notifications, your Canvas profile will include a For All Devices push contact type. If you delete this contact method, the method will reappear the next time you enable the Canvas app on your mobile device.

Navigational Toolbar --- "Click to Success!"

Calendar & Homework - Spring, 2023 - Section 5334 - In the left sidebar of this web page, you will see 14 useful links. Further to the left of these links (in the gray area) you will find 6 Canvas operational links. The one marked Calendar has great importance and use. The course calendar provides you with a list of important due dates for (1) assignments, (2) exams, and (3) the course workbook project. You may also click on these due dates to preview more detail about each course requirement. This Calendar link in Canvas is always current as this page updates automatically anytime course changes are made throughout the duration of this course. Value it! Use it! You may also find a listing of all course assignments and requirements at the very end of this Syllabus.

You are urged to become very familiar with the course calendar and homework links!

Why don't you take some time right now, and explore where each icon link button takes you. Take notes detailing what you learned from exploring each of these various sites.

Professor Pedagogical Philosophy

My pedagogical philosophical approach to teaching Psychology 56 --- Aging, Dying, and Death --- is multi faceted. I draw upon my 39 years as a Psychologist, much of which was in private clinical practice in San Francisco, to bring an experiential (real world experiences) approach and quality to my instruction. I also bring around 50 years of direct college level teaching experience to the online classroom setting. Further, I am recognized as a pioneer in distance education here at Santa Rosa Junior College. My first online class rolled out in 1997. It was Psych 56. It actually began as a hybrid class --- half online and half "face-to-face" in the classroom.

I use an eclectic array of testing methods so as to allow students to demonstrate competency in my online classes. These methods include, standard testing, thought-provoking questions (TPQ) and reaction papers to a robust array of activities and readings. The purpose is to allow the student to choose a testing style that compliments their personal learning style. Additionally I use an interactive workbook --- Grieving Days, Healing Days--- to further allow students to independently demonstrate and prove their competency in this course. An imprint of Simon and Schuster published this workbook, which I wrote, in 1996. It is used both nationally and internationally. It is currently in its 3rd edition.

Finally, I am a believer in the independent, self-paced approach to learning, albeit, an approach requiring strong motivation and commitment by the student.

Class Sensitivity and Confidentiality

Due to the sensitive nature of a class in aging, dying, and death, there is a expectation that students will be sensitive, compassionate, and hold all class communications in confidence. Student should not share names or details outside the class. Violations may result in a student being sanctioned or asked to leave the course.

On the other hand, students are asked to be candid, forthright, and share. Use of the "private" block for message board communications is frowned upon, though understandable on a case by case basis.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

While this section is generally not relevant to a purely online class, it may be with a hybrid class (half online and half face-to-face. In the event of an emergency while attending a class that requires evacuation of the building, please leave the class immediately, but calmly. Our class will meet at _ _ _ _ [discussed in class during first week] to make sure everyone exited the building safely and to receive further instructions. If you are a student with a disability who may need assistance in an evacuation, please see me after class or communicate with me by email or at an office hour so we can discuss an evacuation plan; if needed.

"New Class Check-In Discussion" Post

Before you can participate in this class you must register with Admissions & Records. When the class actually begins, you must complete the required New Class Check-In Discussion. This is also a graded assignment worth five (5) points. Note: Students who fail to complete this process are assumed to have dropped the course and/or are dropped from the class.

Academic Accommodations

If you need disability related accommodations for this class, please provide a Authorization for Academic Accommodations (AAA letter) from the Disability Resources Department (DRD) to your professor as soon as possible. If you have not received authorization from DRD, please contact them directly. DRD is located in Analy Village on the Santa Rosa campus, and Jacobs Hall on the Petaluma Campus.

Other Important Information

For other important information, such as "Attendance Policy," "Exam Schedule," Academic Dishonesty," "Grading Policy,"see the Course Syllabus and Course Basics.

Resource Links

Distance Education - A wonderful resource for SRJC online students and faculty

Student Rights and Responsibilities - Note in particular "academic integrity" in the Acts of Misconduct section.

Good Discussion of Death & Dying Resources

National Death and Dying Resources - Compiled by Dr. J. Davis Mannino

SRJC Library Guide - American Psychological Association Style Guide - The APA Style Guide is for Citing Research Refer

SRJC Libraries Smart Search - The following "Smart Search Widget" is for the entire SRJC Libraries network. Smart Search is a search engine tool that allows you to search across SRJC Libraries databases, books, media, and much more.

Dr. J. Davis Mannino - Revised December 3, 2022