Comparative Study of Death
Autumn 2025
Course Description:
Death is an inevitable part of the human experience—one that is often met with fear, uncertainty, and profound emotion. This course explores death not only as a biological endpoint but as a deeply cultural, social, and political phenomenon. Through interdisciplinary lenses—including anthropology, history, literature, and the humanities—we will examine how societies understand and respond to death, mourning, and remembrance.
We will investigate how death reveals structures of power, identity, and resistance, and how practices surrounding death intersect with broader themes such as biopolitics, colonialism, and decolonization. By reflecting on death, we open space to more fully understand life—its meanings, values, and connections.
Recommended Preparation:
No specific background is required, but students will benefit from an openness to interdisciplinary thinking and a willingness to engage with emotionally complex material.
Teaching Approach:
The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminar-style discussions, multimedia materials, and reflective writing. Students will engage with scholarly texts, cultural artifacts, and case studies from around the world.
Grading:
Assessment will be based on class participation, short written reflections, a midterm essay, and a final project. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and thoughtful engagement with course materials.