STS 227
Death and Dying
Spring 2026
Division II
W Writing Skills
Cross-listed
PHIL 227
Class Details
In this course we will examine traditional philosophical approaches to understanding death and related concepts, with a special focus on the ethical concerns surrounding death and care for the dying. We will begin with questions about how to define death, as well as reflections on its meaning and function in human life. We will move on to examine ethical issues of truth-telling with terminally ill patients and their families, decisions to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatments, the care of seriously ill newborns, physician-assisted suicide, euthanasia, and posthumous interests. In addition to key concepts of death, dying, and terminal illness, we will develop and refine notions of medical futility, paternalism and autonomy, particularly within the context of advance directives and surrogate decision making.
The Class:
Format: lecture; discussion
Limit: 19
Expected: 15-19
Class#: 3465
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Limit: 19
Expected: 15-19
Class#: 3465
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation:
class attendance and participation, periodic short essays (3 or 4 total, 2-3 pages each), two mid-length papers (5-7 pages and 7-10 pages, respectively); possible experiential learning component
Prerequisites:
none
Enrollment Preferences:
PHIL majors, PHLH and STS concentrators, and students with curricular need for the course.
Distributions:
Division II
Writing Skills
Notes:
This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
STS 227 Division II PHIL 227 Division II
STS 227 Division II PHIL 227 Division II
WS Notes:
Students will write periodic short papers (2-3 pages each), a midterm paper (5-7 pages) and a final paper (7-10 pages). Short papers focus on concepts, arguments, and writing skills needed in the midterm and final papers, in which students are expected to describe and evaluate arguments from assigned readings, and to present clear and effective arguments in support of their own ethical positions. Students receive feedback on all papers and have the opportunity to revise midterm and final papers.
Attributes:
PHIL Contemporary Value Theory Courses
PHLH Bioethics + Interpretations of Health
PHLH Bioethics + Interpretations of Health
Class Grid
Updated 7:53 pm
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STS 227 - 01 (S) LEC Death and Dying
STS 227 - 01 (S) LEC Death and DyingDivision II W Writing SkillsTF 2:35 pm - 3:50 pm
3465OpenNone