For many years, death has been regarded as one of the greatest taboos in both North America and Europe. However, social sciences are beginning to reconsider this view, taking into account significant changes in palliative care, funeral practices, and mourning rituals. This course aims to explore these transformations through an interdisciplinary lens, asking: why is death such a critical issue for politics?
We will begin by examining how the study of ghosts and ghostly encounters has prompted major epistemological shifts in our understanding of death. Next, we will trace the historical processes that have shaped contemporary practices surrounding death and the handling of dead bodies, investigating how politics, science, and social movements have influenced the evolving notion of a 'good death.' In the final part of the course, we will critically assess the political and ethical implications of current death care standards, exploring whether existing policies and practices adequately support our goals of achieving more humane and dignified deaths.
Camille COLLIN
Séminaire
English
Spring 2024-2025
1 think piece on one of the course reading: 25%
Group presentation: 25%
Participation, involvement: 10%
Final paper: 40%
Westendorp, Mariske & Gould, Hannah. "Re-Feminizing Death: Gender, Spirituality and Death Care in the Anthropocene." Religions, August 2021, vol. 12, no. 8, p. 667.
Who Owns the Dead?: The Science and Politics of Death at Ground Zero: Aronson, Jay D.: 9780674971493: Amazon.com: Books.
Boddington, Paula. « Organ Donation After Death — Should I Decide, or Should My Family? », Journal of Applied Philosophy. janvier 1998, vol.15 no 1. p. 69-81