SW 335 - Grief and Loss

3 Credit(s)

This course focuses on understanding losses and appropriate interventions for clients who endure loss across the lifecycle, including death as well as other losses such as chronic illness. Topics covered are losses across the lifespan, loss of a child, loss of an adolescent, parental loss, spousal/partner loss, and loss of an adult child, loss in later life, disenfranchised loss (domestic partners, gay and lesbian partners), the dying patient, and end-of-life issues. Theoretical perspectives are drawn from both traditional and postmodern approaches to grief and loss. Issues of cultural diversity are addressed throughout the course. A service-learning experience provides an opportunity for students to gain practical skills in working with individual and community organization end-of-life needs, to experience an interdisciplinary approach to service provision, and to gain an understanding of the importance of civic engagement. Through service learning, students come into contact with dying persons, their families, and the staff who care for this population. Students strengthen their interpersonal skills, competence in the field, professional leadership abilities, and understanding of responsible citizenship. This is a service-learning course.
Prerequisite(s): No Prerequisites.