HNR 252 The Science of Death
What is death, exactly? What is the precise moment that gives way to its terminal state? How have modern medical advances helped or hindered the transition between life and death, and challenged our definition of personhood? This course will take an interdisciplinary approach to address questions about death and dying. Beginning with a discussion of the physiological requirements for sustaining life, we will examine the mechanisms that underlie the dying process, discuss the environmental and economic factors related to methods of preservation of life, and the various issues surrounding deposition of the body. We will also search the globe for a glimpse into the diverse attitudes and beliefs towards the dead and dying. Ultimately, this class will challenge our understanding of death and provide students with the opportunity to revise their own perspectives on what it means when life is “lost”. Non-laboratory science.