“And at the instant he knew,

he ceased to know.”

― Jack London

1.1 - Overview

The "Online" Course

Welcome to "Death and Dying," a course offering of the Department of Behavioral Sciences (DBS) at Santa Rosa Junior College located in Santa Rosa, California, USA.

Much of your success in this course may be enhanced, if not assured, by utilizing the many learning opportunities this course website offers you.

Each week, in tandem with your course schedule, you need to click onto the related homework link. This link provides you with assignments that will be helpful, they are generally speaking, required tasks to complete. Required assignments will have a due date and due time--or what is called the "Time Stamp!" Required work must be sent in a timely fashion.

The "ins and outs" of this course will more fully be explained during the first mandatory day of classes. In the interim, you may wish to read carefully the "Course Basics" section that follows.

1.2 - Course Basics

All You Need To Know To Achieve A Good Grade!

The "Course Basics" link is a table of contents of various links that more fully, and in greater detail, explain the operation of this course. You are expected to read it carefully and be aware that these documents represent the rules, regulations, requirements, and guidelines for successfully completing this course. In many ways, it is the "fine print" of our binding contract for this course.

The second link is an extensive Website for evaluating and improving you study skills. It is highly recommended, especially the "study skills checklist."

Course Basics - Online Psych 56 - Fall, 2023

Improving Study Skills

1.3 - Getting To Know You

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

Complete the following "New Class Check-In Discussion Board Post" intake form and then click on the "submit" button. The exercise will automatically arrive at the gradebook in a confidential manner. That is a graded assignment worth 5 points. Pretty sweet deal!

You will find a hyperlink below, which will take you to the actual exercise. Please be sure to complete this exercise by the deadline as I read them all in bulk right after the deadline. I very much enjoy reading and thus learning about my students.

Module #01 - "New Class Check-In Discussion Board Post" [Graded Assignment]

1.4 - Online Courses

What You Need To Take An SRJC "Online Course"

The following link discusses what you need to take "online courses" here at SRJC. Please read this information carefully, as it will greatly enhance your success at taking courses that have strong Internet components such as this course has.

Rights and Responsibilities

Student Conduct Standards and Due Process

The following link to the Distance Education Department at Santa Rosa Junior College has a several layers of resources for the active online student learner. Take some time to become familiar with the many useful learning resources available here. Many of these resources will serve you well throughout your online education.

Distance Education Department - SRJC

1.5 - Understanding The Internet

The World Wide Web - One Piece At A Time

Welcome to "Understanding the Internet!" --- often called the "World Wide Web."Whether you are brand new to the Internet, or an experienced Web surfer looking for tips, there is a wealth of useful information below. The following link (1) discusses how to use a "Browser" on the Internet, better known as the World Wide Web. It is very simple and basic at times, but you can move through it as fast as you want. The second (2) link is more of a technical look at how the internet functions. It is kind of the story behind the story about how the Internet works. Brief and to the point. And the third (3) link is designed for people who are less familiar with the Internet. For these viewers (like seniors or those with little skills), I included: "Using the Internet For Seniors - Beginner's Guide." It is much more thorough and assumes the viewer has little skill and understanding. But, to be honest, even I learn something new each time I read it!

Task - In a written reaction response, explain what you learned from exploring this Beginner's guide to the Internet (world-wide-web). Be sure to discuss some highlights for you.

How To Use The World Wide Web

Alternative WWW Resource

The Internet - Beginner's Guide for Seniors

1.6 - Psychology Based Websites

Using Internet Tools To Learn About "Death and Dying"

Task: For the following two psychological oriented Websites, report back what you learned from exploring them. A tighly written paragraph (minimum) for each is appreciated.

End-of-Life - Death and Dying Resources

GriefNet.org

1.7 - Reading Assignments - The Textbook

Becoming Familiar With Your Textbook

Your primary textbooks include The Last Dance (11th ed.) by Lynne Ann DeSpelder and Albert Lee Strickland (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2020).

This book may all be purchased at the SRJC campus bookstore AND online. The online link is: http://www.santarosa.edu/bookstore (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Please bookmark the Course Homepage website.

Primary Reading: None

As you read this section in each module, you will find key questions to consider and core concepts to learn. Additionally, in each module you will also find a "related link" that ties in some aspect of your assigned readings.

Prior to beginning your assignments become familiar with your textbook by reviewing each of the pages in it.

The following link will provide you a wealth of information for improving your study skills, and ultimately, your success in both college and in life.

Student Tips for Online Learning Success

1.8 - "Grieving Days, Healing Days" (GDHD) - The Workbook

Learning Through "Hands-On" Doing

Overview: Grieving Days, Healing Days (GDHD), is an interactive workbook written by Dr. J. Davis Mannino, 1996 - 2022 and formerly published by Simon & Schuster, 1996. It is required for this course, because specific pages in the workbook are assigned as part of each module homework assignment that you complete. The good news is you need NOT purchase Grieving Days, Healing Days (GDHD). I have uploaded all readings and activities you will need for this course.

Assignments to complete in GDHD will be listed in a similar section for each of the 15 module homework assignments for this course. Generally speaking, assignments are due by the module assigned date. Modules are loaded with workbook selections (readings, exercises, and activities) that will enhance your learning of many important topics in the study of aging, dying, and death --- a field that is known as "thanatology."

It is also important to remember that certain uploaded workbook pages will be required reading for assignments that you choose to complete elsewhere; such as extra-credit. Therefore, always read and complete all workbook pages assigned as part of all module course requirements.

GDHD Workbook Reading Assignments

1. At minimum, read and complete ANY THREE of the following assignments from Grieving Days, Healing Days. Please note that while only three assigned readings and activities need proof of completion, the entire selection of assignments below should be read and reviewed.

We use an "Honor" system. Nothing needs to be submitted to me unless asked to. Each semester, four students in each of my online classes will be asked to submit their proof of completed submissions. If you are asked, by your professor, to submit proof of assignment completion, you either send them to your professor by snail (USPS) mail, or as attachments in an email to dmannino@santarosa.edu.

Pre-Test, p. 1
Death and Dying - A Semester-Long Watch, p. 6
Living With Death and Dying, p. 7
Fears of Loss and Death, p. 14
I Am Afraid of Dying!, p. 15
Death Anxiety Scale, p. 17
Textbook Review, p. 226

1.9 - Course Discussion Board

Module #1 - Thought Provoking Question (TPQ) or Article

Overview: The purpose of a course message board is to allow students and professor an opportunity to interact about topics of common interest. A message board is also a fine tool to share commonly asked questions, answers and concerns.

You are urged to use the message board, when you have questions that you think others may wish to know; when you have technical questions or answers that others may wish to know, and to share other useful tidbits with each other. I want each of you to become familiar with the message board system.

Once you have composed your thoughts and written them down in a word application program [i.e., Microsoft word] --- with grammar and spell check--- you must then click on the "Message Board" icon in the "Navigational Toolbar" and follow through with posting (copy and pasting) them. Remember, to be sure you also post your comments in the appropriate place in the task boxes that follows later in this assignment.

Task: In each class module, there will be one thought-provoking course related question or article for which discussion is expected from students. While not always related to assigned readings, they have important course-wide implications. You are expected to respond to each question by the end of each class module. Be sure to place the question/article number (#) in the "subject line" so your classmates will know which module topic you are addressing.

Since there is only one "thought-provoking question or article " (TPQ) due per module during the regular semester, a minimum response of 250 to 350 words is required for each message board TPQ posting. Also, students need to post a TPQ for EACH of the 15 online assignments.

This Assignment's Thought Provoking Question (TPQ) or Article

Directions: Click on the link below, read it, and then at the end click on the "Reply" button and leave your response. You will see other students' responses too. Use these other students' responses for choosing your responses to three other students. For more specific directions and information see "Grading Policy" in "Course Basics.

Thought Provoking Article #1 - The Importance of Dying and Sexuality

1.10 - Module Assignment #1 Responses

Composing Your Responses To Module #1 (Helpful Directions)

Overview: For each course module there is a major homework assignment that must be completed. Each of these module homework assignments has several tasks. Some entail reading, some include exploring and reviewing websites, reviewing videos, and still others involve written tasks --- work that ALL must be submitted for review and/or grading.

Responses to "tasks" must be sent on time or you will either fail the assignment or be severely penalized. Late homework assignments are perceived as both a student who is "absent from class" and who is "late with work." Please always maintain a backup copy of all your written work. Glitches occur in online technology-based education, but ultimately it is your responsibility to maintain adequate backup of all work submitted. You are also encouraged to compose your work within a word-processing application and then "copy and paste" into assigned module "task boxes." This is so you may avail yourself of spell and grammar check options provided in most modern word processing software.

Please be aware that all submissions are automatically received by the course "gradebook," where they will be evaluated by your professor for acceptance, rejection, or acceptance with penalty. So make sure your work is received promptly. Much the same way that attendance is determined by you presence in the traditional classroom at the regularly scheduled class time, so too is attendance determined by your prompt submission of assignments while enrolled in an online course. Furthermore, arriving to class without homework or with incomplete homework is also perceived in the same manner with an online course. Accordingly, you are encouraged to submit you weekly work prior to deadlines, to avoid computer glitches, "downtime," and other "technological spills and inconveniences."

Directions: Each numbered task box listed below corresponds with tasks described in each module's homework assignment. Usually, tasks outlined on this webpage require written reactions and/or responses.

Be sure to follow directions carefully and precisely when completing each task. "A word to the wise!" Minimal work receives a minimal grade. For example, if a task asks that you provide a written paragraph or two, and you provide just that, then you have provided only minimal work. Simply said, minimal work is "C" work. Well thought out writing that exceeds both excellence and minimal length (word count) and quality requirements is, generally speaking, graded higher and indicative of a "good and solidly motivated student." However length in of itself does not assure quality either, so learn to strike a balance. Good luck!

Particulars: Remember this module is due by a certain date or will be penalized. Overly late assignments may NOT be accepted at all, and at minimum, marked down. The discretion of the professor rules in all such matters. Was your assignment "Online and Ontime?" Before beginning this first homework assignment be sure you understand the word count and quality requirements --- 550 to 750 words --- depending on grade desire). See Grading Policy in Course Basics at the Course Syllabus for further information regarding requirements and grading of module submissions.

ALL students are responsible for completing ALL 15 modules and having a moderate understanding of each. Don't cheat yourself out of a good education.

Module Assignment #1 - Graded Responses Go Here!

Dr. J. Davis Mannino - Revised, August 28, 2023