Download Death and Dying - Monroe Community College

Final Project - HED 115 - Death and Dying
Choose one of the project options below (A, B, or C): Answer the questions below the choice you have
selected (must be typed) and create a visual. Number all responses.
A. MEMORIAL/TRIBUTE: Create a memorial or tribute to the life of someone you have lost. NOTE: If
you have limited information about this person, this is an opportunity to do some meaningful research in order
to complete your project.
Written:
1. Who was the person? (Relative? Friend? What was your connection?)
2. Describe characteristics of the person. (Ex: What were some of their favorite things? What kind of
person were they? What did they do in life?)
3. Describe how the person touched your life (Ex: What experiences did you share? How has their life and
death influenced you?)
4. Describe how specific concepts from the Death and Dying text apply to this project and/or your
experience in doing this project. Include reference to at least four of the following: emotional, physical,
spiritual, intellectual, behavioral, social, economic, and cultural issues related to death, dying, and loss.
5. Summarize the process of completing this project and your final reflections related to the project.
Visual: Create a visual memorial that highlights select important points about this person.
B. LIFE LOSSES: Describe a loss or losses you have experienced in your life and create a visual
representation of those losses. Written:
1. Describe your losses and how they have affected you.
2. Explain what you have learned, and anything positive that has been a result of the losses.
3. Describe how specific concepts from the Death and Dying text apply to this project and/or your
experience in doing this project. Include reference to at least four of the following: emotional, physical,
spiritual, intellectual, behavioral, social, economic, and cultural issues related to death, dying, and loss.
4. Summarize the process of completing this project and your final reflections related to the project.
Visual: Outline your losses in chronological order using a visual format of your choice.
C. ELDER INTERVIEW (interviewee must be age 70 or older) Create a detailed report answering the
questions below and on the back of this page, answer the questions below, and create a visual. Written:
1. Describe which parts of the interview were most interesting to you and explain why.
2. Describe how specific concepts from the Death and Dying text apply to this project and/or your experience
in doing this project. Include reference to at least four of the following: emotional, physical, spiritual,
intellectual, behavioral, social, economic, and cultural issues related to death, dying, and loss.
3. Summarize the process of completing this project and your final reflections related to the project.
Visual: Create a visual that represents highlights of what you learned in the interview.
ALL PROJECTS MUST HAVE BOTH A WRITTEN AND A VISUAL COMPONENT
Ideas for Visuals – Or Use Your Own Idea
1. Collage with pictures, drawings, or memorabilia with captions.
2. Create a video, PowerPoint, or DVD with pictures and mementos, captioned or narrated.
3. Make something such as a scrapbook or keepsake box with personal items, pictures, etc.
Audio: Music can be a powerful addition to your project, but is not mandatory.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:
 Do NOT depend on e-mail to access your project on the day it is due. Use a disk or flashdrive and test it on
the classroom computer ahead of time. More than one method of backup is recommended.

You will bring in your project the day it is due, but will be able to take your project home the same day. In
other words, I will not have possession of any valuable mementos at any time.
Required Interview Questions for Option C. – (in addition to questions on Page 1)
Directions: Ask a relative or other elder, age 70 or older, the following questions and record their
answers. Ask for and include additional details when appropriate. You may omit no more than two of the
questions below. You are encouraged to ask additional questions. When typing your questions, number
and letter each response. If you chose to omit two questions, type “omitted” after the numbers/letters
of your choice. Use complete sentences and check for spelling and grammar.
1. General Questions
a. What can you tell me about the day you were born?
b. Where were your parents, and any siblings born? Include their names.
c. If you have children, how many do you have and where are they now?
d. Where have you lived throughout your life?
e. What language(s) do you speak?
f. Describe any religious or spiritual beliefs.
g. Discuss any losses that you have experienced and how they affected you.
2. Birth to Adolescence
a. Describe in detail where you lived as a child.
b. When you were growing up, what were the roles of boys and girls in the family?
c. Describe any "coming of age" ceremonies or significant events.
d. Describe your neighborhood when you were in junior high school (grades 6-8).
e. What music, clothing, and foods were popular during your teenage years?
f. How much did candy, movies, clothing, etc., cost?
g. Describe your school. (The building, classroom, teacher, subjects, schedule, homework, etc.)
h. What was the ethnic breakdown in your school? (Was there any diversity and/or multicultural
education at your school?)
i. What was socially accepted in your community? (Consider religious beliefs, sexual preferences,
racial differences, women's rights, etc., as well as things such as smoking and dancing.)
j. What did one do for amusement? (Consider entertainment, hobbies, sports, collections, etc.)
k. What illnesses were threatening the health of the community and how did you feel about them?
l. What were the rules of your house? How did you respond to them?
3. Jobs/Professions
a. What jobs did you have throughout your life?
b. Which did you enjoy the most? the least? Why?
c. What did you have to do for the job you held for the longest time?
d. Did you attend college or trade school? If so, what was it like?
e. Tell me about any military or related experience.
4. Other Questions
a. Tell me about any dangerous and/or life threatening experiences. (or the closest you have
come to dying.)
b. What were some of the important news events that you remember?
c. What wars did you experience directly or indirectly? What was your experience?
d. Describe your kitchen and bathroom while growing up.
e. What were some of the new inventions you can recall?
f. Describe all of the modes of transportation you have taken.
g. Tell me about a family story or a family event.
h. Tell me a funny story.
i. Describe and briefly talk about someone you admire(d).
j. What do you think are the most important things in life?
k. What advice would you give to today’s generation?
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