Module #1 Introduction to the Anthropology of Death Explores the significance of death and funeral practices across cultures and introduces key concepts in the anthropology of death.
Module #2 TheUniversal Human Experience of Death Examines the biological, psychological, and social aspects of human mortality and how they shape funeral practices.
Module #3 Death and the Life Cycle Analyzes the cultural significance of death within the human life cycle, including birth, coming of age, and aging.
Module #4 Funeral Rites and Rituals Surveys the diversity of funeral rites and rituals across cultures, including burial, cremation, and other practices.
Module #5 Ancestors and the Afterlife Explores the role of ancestors and the afterlife in shaping funeral practices and beliefs about the dead.
Module #6 Death and Mourning in Small-Scale Societies Examines funeral practices in small-scale societies, including hunter-gatherers and tribal groups.
Module #7 Death and the State Analyzes the relationship between death, power, and the state, including the regulation of funeral practices.
Module #8 Religion and Funeral Practices Explores the impact of religious beliefs on funeral practices, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
Module #9 Secularism and Funeral Practices Examines the rise of secular funeral practices and the implications for death and mourning.
Module #10 Death and Emotion Investigates the emotional dimensions of death and mourning, including grief, bereavement, and trauma.
Module #11 Material Culture and Funeral Practices Analyzes the significance of material objects in funeral practices, including coffins, grave goods, and mourning attire.
Module #12 Food and Drink in Funeral Practices Explores the role of food and drink in funeral rites and rituals, including feasting and toasting the dead.
Module #13 Death and the Environment Examines the environmental implications of funeral practices, including sustainability and eco-friendly options.
Module #14 Death and Technology Investigates the impact of technology on funeral practices, including digital mourning and online memorials.
Module #15 Globalization and Funeral Practices Analyzes the effects of globalization on funeral practices, including transnational mourning and cultural exchange.
Module #16 Death and Social Inequality Explores how social inequality shapes funeral practices, including issues of race, class, and gender.
Module #17 Death and the Media Examines the representation of death and funeral practices in media, including film, literature, and news.
Module #18 Ethnographic Case Studies Presents in-depth ethnographic case studies of funeral practices from around the world.
Module #19 Comparative Analysis of Funeral Practices Engages in comparative analysis of funeral practices across cultures, highlighting similarities and differences.
Module #20 Contemporary Issues in Funeral Practices Explores contemporary debates and challenges in funeral practices, including COVID-19 and climate change.
Module #21 Funeral Innovation and Entrepreneurship Examines innovations and entrepreneurship in the funeral industry, including new products and services.
Module #22 Death Education and Awareness Investigates the importance of death education and awareness, including the role of hospice and palliative care.
Module #23 Death and the Afterlife in Fiction Analyzes the representation of death and the afterlife in fiction, including literature and film.
Module #24 Death and the Law Examines the legal aspects of death and funeral practices, including laws around burial, cremation, and inheritance.
Module #25 Death and Public Health Investigates the intersection of death and public health, including epidemiology and infectious disease.
Module #26 Death and Memorials Explores the significance of memorials and commemoration in funeral practices, including grave markers and public monuments.
Module #27 Death and Grief in the Digital Age Analyzes the impact of digital technologies on grief and mourning, including online support groups and social media.
Module #28 Death and the Museum Examines the role of museums in preserving and presenting death and funeral practices, including exhibits and collections.
Module #29 Death and the Archaeological Record Investigates the significance of death and burial in the archaeological record, including grave goods and mortuary practices.
Module #30 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in The Anthropology of Funeral Practices career
