SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
MORTUARY SCIENCE AND FUNERAL SERVICE
COURSE NO., HOURS, AND TITLE: MSFS 225a-4 Embalming
Theory and Practice
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
(a) The student will be introduced to techniques of embalming through
a study of the body, sanitation, embalming agents, instruments, and methods
of embalming. The student studies the theory, practices, and techniques
of sanitation; as well as restoration and preservation of deceased human
remains. Laboratory experience will consist of embalming deceased remains
and of other related activities. Lecture three hours. Laboratory two hours.
Must be taken in a, b, sequence. Prerequisite: restricted to mortuary science
and funeral service majors, MSFS 240, and proof of Hepatitis B vaccine and
Titre test.
PREREQUISITE TO: MSFS 225b
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student shall be able to:
1. identify, define, and employ the necessary terminology to facilitate
communication with
members of allied professions and the general public.
2. explain the common types of death;
3. explain the concepts of disinfection, preservation, and restoration of
a dead human body;
4. perform embalming techniques and procedures and apply these procedures;
5. demonstrate the use of standard embalming
instruments, machines and accessories;
6. explain how in the treatment, handling, and
disposition of the dead human body the sociological, psychological, theological,
physical, and legal needs of family an community are fulfilled;
7. identify and explain special treatments for cases involving common infections,
communicable diseases, traumatic and pathological conditions;
8. demonstrate a knowledge of the circulatory system to the degree needed
to give working basis for studies in related subjects;
9. demonstrate the proper disposal of body by-products and contaminated
materials from the embalming process;
10. obtain knowledge of adequate methods of protection from communicable
and infectious disease;
11. explain the OSHA requirements as they apply to the funeral service profession.
TOPICAL OUTLINE:
Topic Percentage of Class
I. What is Embalming 5%
II. Introduction 5%
III. OSHA 10%
IV. History 5%
V. First Call 5%
VI. Death 15%
VII. Post-Mortem Changes 15%
VIII. Bacteriolysis 5%
IX. Preparation Room 5%
X. Variable and Fixed Factors 10%
XI. Embalming the "Normal" Case 10%
XII. Anatomical Limits and Guides 10%
TEXTBOOKS:
Required:
Mayer, R.G. (1990). Embalming history, theory, and practice. Norwalk,
CT: Appleton & Lange.
Recommended:
Mosby's medical, nursing, & allied health dictionary (5th ed.).
(1998). St. Louis, MO:Mosby.
EQUIPMENT:
All equipment may be purchased at the University bookstore on Campus.
* Lock for locker
* SIU- Mortuary Science Program surgical scrubs (at least one set)
* Disposable gloves (1 box)
* HIV Kits (minimum 5)
* Additional surgical masks, hair covers, goggles, shoe covers, etc...other
than that which is provided in the HIV Kits.
Each student will STRICTLY adhere to the Laboratory Protocol as discussed
at the Program Orientation. Each student will receive a copy of the Laboratory
Protocol for their future reference.
LECTURE:
M W F 9:00 - 9:50 a.m.
LABORATORY:
T 8:00 - 9:50 a.m. Section 1
T 1:00 - 2:50 p.m. Section 3
Th 1:00 - 2:50 p.m. Section 4
EXAMINATIONS:
There will be three hourly exams given during the semester. The dates
of these exams will be given in advance. Make up exams WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
There will be at least one vocabulary exam. A final exam will be given at
the end of the semester and will follow the final exam schedule set by the
University.
QUIZZES:
There will be 100 points worth of quizzes figured into your final grade.
I will give twelve (12) quizzes during the semester. Each quiz will be worth
ten (10) points. They will be given WITHOUT previous notice and WILL
NOT BE MADE UP UNDER ANY CONDITION. At the end of the semester I will
drop the two lowest quiz grades for each student. Thus, there will be a
total of 100 possible quiz points available for the course. If a student
misses a day when a quiz is given, s/he should consider that quiz one of
his/her drops.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments may include, but are not limited to, research papers, demonstrations,
embalming practical, speakers, and field trips. Certain assignments will
require that the student be dressed appropriately in embalming or professional
business attire. Failure to dress appropriately will result in the student
being marked absent for the day and he/she will receive a zero for the assignment.
GRADES:
Grades will be determined on a percentage basis as applied to the total
number of possible points accumulated during the semester. The percentage
breakdown is as follows:
90% or above earns you an A
80 - 89% earns you a B
70 - 79% earns you a C
69% or below earns you an F
LABORATORY SESSIONS:
These sessions include embalmings, dissection, supplementary lecture,
guest speakers, and anything else the professor feels necessary. You will
be expected to attend the laboratory section you are enrolled in. You will
be present the entire lab period or until the instructor informs you class
is dismissed. If you leave early you will be considered absent.
Every lab session is worth ten (10) points. For each lab absence the student
will earn zero points. The total points accumulated at the end of the semester
will be applied toward the student's embalming laboratory grade. You will
be allowed to make up one lab session during the Fall semester. You
must notify me or the lab instructor prior to missing the lab, and you
must make up the missed session within the same week.
Embalming Lab grades will be evaluated on participation (both with dissection
and clean-up), attitude, proper dress, and attendance.
Not only as a Program requirement, but also to meet OSHA regulations, at
the end of each lab period the laboratory facility and all utilized equipment
will be cleaned with a disinfectant soap and stainless steel cleaner. This
includes counter tops, cabinets, sinks, embalming tables, etc... The floors
will be mopped after each lab. The refrigeration unit will remain clean
and the floor of the unit will be mopped weekly. Towards the middle of the
semester each lab section will terminally disinfecting the laboratory and
equipment. ALL students will participate in the cleaning of the laboratory.
Each student will STRICTLY adhere to the Laboratory Protocol. NO WALKMANS,
CD-MANS, PERSONAL RADIOS, JEWELRY, OPEN-TOED SHOES, and/or SANDALS MAY BE
WORN DURING THE LAB SESSION.
ON CALL EMBALMINGS:
During the Program orientation students were assigned to embalming teams
for anatomical donations during the year. Each embalming Team has a designated
"Team Leader" that is responsible for contacting the team members
and informing them of the embalming. When a team is assigned to embalm,
the student's will be notified by the Team Leader. If for some reason a
student is unavailable for the embalming that day, at the assigned time,
the student must contact the instructor and s/he must trade his/her Team
position with a student who has not yet participated in an embalming.
Each embalming will be worth 25 points, with a minimum of one embalming
for each student. A quiz will be given at the conclusion of each embalming.
If you do not contact the instructor and/or you do not trade your embalming
number, you will receive a zero for the quiz and will not be allowed to
make it up.
INSTRUCTOR:
Cydney A. Griffith, M.S.Ed.,
Program Director, Associate Professor
Mortuary Science and Funeral Service Program
Department of Health Care Professions
College of Applied Sciences and Arts
Office Hours: T W F 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Also available by appointment
Office Location: CASA Building - Room 18C
Fax: 618-453-7020
Office Phone: (618) 453-7214
E-mail: cgriffit @ siu.edu
Snail-mail: SIUC - CAMPUS
CASA - MC6615
Carbondale, IL 62901-6615
ATTENDANCE AND CLASS POLICY:
ATTENDANCE AT EACH CLASS IS REQUIRED. Class attendance should be regarded
as an obligation, and all students are expected to attend and be punctual
at all classes in which they are enrolled. If you miss a class, it is THE
STUDENT'S responsibility to obtain the missed notes from a classmate.
Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class and each session
will be worth ten (10) points. A student who is absent when attendance is
taken will earn zero points for the class session. Furthermore, any student
present but not dressed in professional attire on any designated "dress
day" (Wednesday's, speakers, trips, etc...) will earn zero points for
the class session. Once class begins the classroom doors will be closed
and no one will be permitted to enter.
Sleeping, reading of newspapers, eating, listening to radio/cassette/CD
walkmans or working on other materials during class is not permitted during
the class session. Those who choose to do so will be dismissed from class,
marked absent, and the appropriate documentation will be forwarded to the
Student Development office. Soft drinks and coffee are permitted in the
classroom during the class session so long as students dispose of empty
containers.
If you desire to utilize a micro-cassette recorder, you must obtain
permission from the instructor.
NOTE: Modification, or additions to this syllabus may be made by the
instructor, as needed.
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