The End-of-Life Studies microprogram will provide students the opportunity to acquire knowledge in the psycho-social, cultural, religious, and historical perspectives on grief, death and dying, as well as enhance competencies in combating age- and death-phobia, grief-work, and care for the dying. It will examine the way death is variously understood across cultures and religious traditions, and how those understandings impact the way individuals move through the trajectory of life. It will also provide a critical examination of the powerful cultural taboos against aging and dying that characterize our contemporary culture, which has been described as youth-oriented, self-focused, elder-less and death-phobic. Finally, it will examine changing attitudes to death in Canada, including the growing acceptability of medical assistance in dying.
The program is designed for students who have a strong interest in pursuing careers in counselling psychology, social work, nursing, medicine, public health, chaplaincy, or advanced study in the field of End-of-Life Studies. It will also be open to those who simply have an interest in exploring questions pertaining to life and death.
The microprogram will be structured around three compulsory courses, namely "Religion and Death," (from Religious Studies) "Mindful Aging" (from Interdisciplinary Studies), and "Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Death and Dying," (from Health Sciences).
In addition, students will have the opportunity to choose from an array of fascinating courses centered around death and dying, including topics such as the psychology of death and dying, bioethics, and medical anthropology, etc. Notably, for those interested in gaining practical skills in end-of-life care, the microprogram will offer a unique option for students to enroll in the online "End of Life Doula Course," offered through Douglas College in Vancouver, and accredited by the University of Ottawa. This course explores the complexities of death and dying from a practical perspective, providing students the opportunity to learn about the physical, psychosocial, existential, and spiritual challenges that most people face when dying. Through it, students will develop basic skills in end-of-life care, in self-care in times of grief and bereavement, and in communication around death.
For more information or to learn how to apply to the program when it launches in Fall 2024, please contact Professor Vallely at avallely@uottawa.ca