2008 Woodie Awards
New sociology course to discuss loss and grieving
Brandon Williams
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: Web Exclusive
The sociology department at Kirkwood Community College felt their "Death and Dying" course needed a revision. As a result, "The Sociology of Loss, Grieving and Growth" will be offered for the first time this fall and will be available for up to 39 students.
"The most important thing to realize is it's a course about loss, not just about death," said Barb Dobling, the instructor for the class.
Dobling said that the class will deal with other types of losses such as divorce and parents having their parental rights taken away. The class will also look at how the media and society play a role in determining what is perceived to be a loss. As an example of the media's affect, Dobling pointed out that two films nominated for Academy awards, "Away From Her" and "The Savages," dealt with the affects of Alzheimer's within a family.
The course is a replacement for the "Death and Dying" course.
"One of the adjunct faculty who was going to teach it wanted to broaden the focus to losses rather than death." said Dobling. "There were several of us who felt like that would be a timely change."
Dobling said that students in the course will be involved in volunteer work at agencies that help people during a loss, such as the Ronald McDonald House and Hospice.
The class is part of a learning community entitled Loss, Grieving and Growth in the Context of Human Development. Students who wish to take this class will be required to sign up for Developmental Psychology, taught by Judith Wightman, as well.
"We will try to weave the course content so students will gain an understanding of the psychology and sociology behind loss," said Dobling.
Dobling added that it could be a very good course for nursing students, criminal justice students, social work students and students in the veterinary program but all Kirkwood students could benefit from the class since loss is a normal part of living.
"The most important thing to realize is it's a course about loss, not just about death," said Barb Dobling, the instructor for the class.
Dobling said that the class will deal with other types of losses such as divorce and parents having their parental rights taken away. The class will also look at how the media and society play a role in determining what is perceived to be a loss. As an example of the media's affect, Dobling pointed out that two films nominated for Academy awards, "Away From Her" and "The Savages," dealt with the affects of Alzheimer's within a family.
The course is a replacement for the "Death and Dying" course.
"One of the adjunct faculty who was going to teach it wanted to broaden the focus to losses rather than death." said Dobling. "There were several of us who felt like that would be a timely change."
Dobling said that students in the course will be involved in volunteer work at agencies that help people during a loss, such as the Ronald McDonald House and Hospice.
The class is part of a learning community entitled Loss, Grieving and Growth in the Context of Human Development. Students who wish to take this class will be required to sign up for Developmental Psychology, taught by Judith Wightman, as well.
"We will try to weave the course content so students will gain an understanding of the psychology and sociology behind loss," said Dobling.
Dobling added that it could be a very good course for nursing students, criminal justice students, social work students and students in the veterinary program but all Kirkwood students could benefit from the class since loss is a normal part of living.
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