SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
MORTUARY SCIENCE AND FUNERAL SERVICE
FALL, 1998
COURSE NO., HOURS, AND TITLE: MSFS 101-3 Orientation to Funeral Service
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Students will trace the history of funeral service from ancient times through
practices with emphasis on the development of funeral practices in the United
States. Students study the customs of various cultures throughout the world
including customs in the United States. They will demonstrate a knowledge
of funeral service organizations and will discuss topical areas of current
discussion. Lecture three hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
PREREQUISITE TO: MSFS 108
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student shall be able to:
1. trace the origins of mortuary behavior from pre-Christian times until
today;
2. have an active vocabulary of words, concepts, and terms that have significance
for
the practicing funeral director;
3. describe the major contributions to funerary behavior of various cultures
(epochs)
in the following areas:
A. religious orientation toward death;
B. treatment of the dead human body;
C. functionaries-their tasks and qualifications;
D. materials, paraphernalia, and accouterments;
E. actions and treatment of bereaved;
4. discuss and describe the status of the funeral today and all that it
entails;
5. recognize, distinguish, and describe the various funeral service organizations
functioning today;
6. list the factors and conditions necessary for religious, fraternal, and
military
funeral services;
7. demonstrate the moral and ethical conduct deemed necessary by various
funeral
service associations;
8. outline and show comprehension of the sociological characteristics of
customs
and their relationship to other sociological conventions;
9. understand religious orientation of funeral customs throughout the world;
10. understand the development of funeral practices in the United States;
and
11. have a functional knowledge of various trends that are emerging in our
society
and their emphasis upon funeral service.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Topics Percentages of Time
I. Ancient funeral practices 8%
II. Early European funeral practices 8%
III. Colonial funeral behavior 8%
IV. The advent of the present concept of the funeral 5%
V. The development of funeral practices in the United States 25%
VI. Ethics 15%
VII. Professional involvement 8%
VIII. Modern funeral practices 7%
IX. Philosophies of funeral service 6%
X. Trends in funeral service 10%
TEXTBOOK:
Required:
Habenstein, R. & Lamers, W. (1985). The history of American funeral
directing (2nd ed.). Milwaukee, WI: NFDA.
LECTURE: MWF 1:00 PM - 1:50 PM
EXAMINATION AND QUIZZES:
Objective examinations will be administered during the semester. These examinations
will include material from the textbook, any handouts, and lecture notes.
In addition, a vocabulary examination will be given which will include a
listing of funeral service terms discussed during the course. The dates
for the all objective and vocabulary examinations will be given in advance.
A comprehensive final examination will also be given at the end of the semester
and will follow the final examination schedule set by the University.
Quizzes may also be given without prior notice.
MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS AND QUIZZES WILL NOT BE GIVEN!!!
ASSIGNMENTS:
In addition to reading assignments (which will be announced in class), each
student will work with another group of students to prepare an hour-long
presentation. On the first day of class, a brief topic outline will be discussed
for six specific topics related to this course. Each student will have an
opportunity to sign-up for one topic team, and the topic team members will
then organize themselves to complete the following steps of this assignment:
1. RESEARCH OUTLINE. Using the brief topic outline as a guide, each topic
team will prepare a comprehensive and detailed Research Outline. Every team
member will be required to assist in the process of conducting the research
needed to complete the Research Outline. In addition to the textbook, a
minimum of five additional references should be utilized. ONLY THREE
INTERNET RESOURCES CAN BE USED! The remainder can be books, journals,
newspaper articles, or other resources. One typed copy of the Research Outline
and references will be submitted. All references and the references listing
must follow the guidelines of the Publication manual of the American Psychological
Association (4th edition). For those students who do not have this book,
it can be purchased at most book stores. Known as the "APA Manual,"
it is the writing format utilized in most Mortuary Science and Funeral Service
courses. This portion of the assignment will be worth 100 possible points.
2. POSTER PRESENTATION. Using a 36" by 48" project display board
(which can be purchased at most local book or office supply stores), each
topic team will prepare a Poster Presentation which includes a brief summary
of the key points taken from the Research Outline. Each topic team can determine
the format for the Poster Presentation, but the use of charts, graphs, and
pictures are often helpful. This portion of the assignment will be worth
50 possible points, and 10 points will be deducted if the 36" by 48"
project display board is not used.
3. ORAL REPORT. Each topic team
will be given the entire class period (50 minutes) to make an Oral Report
on their Research Outline and Poster Presentation. This should include adequate
time for answering questions and class discussion. Every topic team member
should participate, and the Research Outline should not be read. Instead,
the poster should be used to present the topic information. This portion
of the assignment will be worth 100 possible points.
On Friday, September 4, 1998, each topic team will submit
a typed paper listing the specific research topic title, the names of the
topic team members, and the list of all references which will be used for
the completion of this assignment (in APA format). The references will be
reviewed and approved by the instructor before being returned to the topic
team. This portion of the assignment will be worth 50 possible points.
If there are any questions regarding the topic, the references, and/or APA
format, the topic team members should consult with the instructor before
Friday, September 4, 1998. Remember that failure to have this portion of
the assignment completed will result in the loss of 50 possible points!
ALL RESEARCH OUTLINES AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS WILL BE DUE AT THE
BEGINNING OF CLASS ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1998!!! All materials
will be graded and returned prior to the time of the Oral Reports.
ORAL REPORTS WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1998!!! A
lottery system will be used at the beginning of each class session to determine
which topic team will give their Oral Report, so all teams will need to
be prepared. Additional Oral Reports will be given on Monday, November 30,
1998; Wednesday, December 2, 1998; Friday, December 4, 1998; Monday, December
7, 1998; and Wednesday, December 9, 1998.
PLEASE NOTE: INFORMATION GIVEN DURING EACH ORAL REPORT WILL BE INCLUDED
ON THE COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAMINATION!!!
LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!!
ATTENDANCE:
ATTENDANCE AT EACH CLASS SESSION IS REQUIRED!!! Class attendance
should be regarded as an obligation, and all students are expected to attend
and be punctual at each class session. Attendance will be
taken at the beginning of every class, and each session will be worth 10
points. A student who is absent when attendance is taken will earn zero
(0) points for the class session. Furthermore, any student present but not
dressed in professional attire on any designated "Dress Day" (usually
Wednesday and for guest speakers) will earn zero (0) points for the class
session. In addition, once class begins, the doors to the classroom
will be shut, and no one will be permitted to enter!! Any student
who misses three class sessions will be referred to the University's Early
Warning System.
Please do not eat, talk, sleep, read the newspaper, or work on any other
class assignments during the class session. If you choose to do so, you
will be dismissed from class and marked absent. Only soft drinks and
coffee will be permitted in the classroom while the class is in session.
GRADES:
Course grades will be determined on a percentage basis as applied to the
total number of possible points accumulated during the entire semester.
This will include class attendance, scheduled examinations, announced and
unannounced quizzes, Research Outline, Poster Presentation, Oral Report,
and any other assigned activities. The percentage breakdown is as follows:
90% to 100% Grade: A
80% to 89% Grade: B
70% to 79% Grade: C
69% or Below Grade: F
Please note: As per the grading policy of the Mortuary Science and Funeral
Service program, only the grades A, B, or C will be accepted for credit
in MSFS major courses.
INSTRUCTOR: Mr. Steve Smith, BA
OFFICE:
Hours: MW 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
F 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Other times available by appointment
Location: ASA Building, Room 80
Please note: The instructor will be available to answer any questions
regarding the class requirements, assignments, and/or any other matters
which might arise during the course of the semester. An "open door
policy" will ensure that any and all student concerns are addressed
as needed.
CHANGES MAY BE MADE TO THIS SYLLABUS DURING THE SEMESTER, AS NEEDED,
AT THE DISCRETION OF THE INSTRUCTOR.
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