CULTURE ISSUES

Bachelors Degree in Grief Counseling & Bereavement Education

GRF 400

Breyer State University

Instructor: Richard A. Pessagno, MSN, APRN, BC, CGT
Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist
Certified Group Psychotherapist
Certified Grief Therapist

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: Welcome to the Bachelors degree program in Grief Counseling & Bereavement Education offered by Breyer State University. This course, Cultural Issues, will provide you with basic theory and practical information needed to address the cultural issues and needs of the bereaved in a variety of grief support services roles.

TIME FRAME: This is a six-semester hour course. This course is allotted ten weeks of time. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the ten-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day which you notify me that your text book(s) have arrived and you are ready to begin your studies. Please be cognizant of the time frame. It is rare that extensions of time are permitted, unless you have good justification. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded six semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOKS: There is one (1) required textbook for this course.

Book 1: Cultural Issues in End-of-Life Decision Making. By Braun, K, Pietsch, J, and Blanchette, P. Altamira Publishing: 1999. ISBN # 0761912177.

	» Click Here to Enter
» Additional Student Resources at StudyTactics

Call and order your books as soon as possible so that you can begin your course of study.

EXAMINATIONS: Examinations are taken online via the Breyer State University website. Once you have registered for this program, you will receive instructions on accessing and taking the examinations. There are two (2) examinations for this course. Each exam is worth 30% of the total grade.

PROJECT: A paper is be written on some aspect of cultural relevance related to end-of-life care. You will select a topic, approved by me, and explore this topic covering current literature and research available. Papers will be at least five (5) pages long. See syllabus within the classroom for more details. The paper is worth 40% of the total grade.

GRADING: Examinations are objective type or short answer. The number of questions per examination varies. The grading scale is:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

COMMUNICATION: Communication for this course is done via email, regular mail, chat room talks, or by telephone. I encourage you to communicate with me as you progress through your course. Regular communication is essential, since you are directing the pace of your study.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Richard A. Pessagno, MSN, APRN, BC, CGT is your instructor. Mr. Pessagno has over eighteen years of professional nursing experience. He was worked in a variety of clinical areas including hospice, oncology, AIDS care and psychiatric nursing. Much of his professional efforts have focused on working in the area of grief and loss. He is a certified psychiatric-mental health clinical nurse specialist, as well as a certified group psychotherapist, Post-masters Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and a grief therapist.

INSTRUCTOR AVAILABILITY: I am available via email at all times. Telephone contact is available with a scheduled appointment. Please contact me as soon as you have registered for this course, in order that all contact information can be exchanged.

GETTING STARTED: As soon as you receive your textbooks for the course, you may begin your course of study. Below is the program course outline. Be sure to review it as you progress through the course. Once you have registered for the course, I will send you a letter of introduction with more explanations and the course assignments. Specific assignments are found in the classroom for this designated course. Only students who are enrolled in this course can gain access to the classroom.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Introduce the learner to basic principles of cultural, ethnic and religious issues related to end-of-life issues.
2). Expose the learner to variety of cultural perspectives related to the issues surrounding death and dying.
3). Develop basic knowledge of the importance of cultural sensitivity related to end-of-life issues.
4). Develop an understanding of culturally appropriate interventions that can be used in grief-related support services.
5). Develop an understanding of the difference that exist among a variety of cultural and ethnic groups relating to end-of-life issues.
6). Expose the learner to research available in the area of cultural thanatology.
7). Provide theoretical applications to culturally sensitive care provided in field of grief counseling and bereavement support services.

COURSE CONTENT:

1). Culture and its' influence regarding end-of-life issues.
2). Ethnic perspectives and end-of life decision making.
3). Religious issues related to end-of-life issues.
4). Cultural perspectives of special populations relating to death and dying.
5). Cultural implication when working with clients.

PREREQUISITE: A high school diploma is required for admission to this course of study.

Apply	Pay Online	Refund Policy
Payment Plan	Email for Info	Register for a Course