$How The Living See The Dead: Comparative Thanatology With D\u00e2nia Rodrigues$

In this four-part lecture series, we’ll delve into the history, present, and future of how humans think of and deal with death.
About this Event

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Thanatology is an interdisciplinary field which proposes a scientific study of death, ranging from forensics to wider psychological, anthropological and social aspects. As humans, we’re aware of our mortality and faced with the reminder that all humans shall die throughout our lives. But the way humans have dealt with that perception across space and time is incredibly diverse. In this four-part lecture series, we’ll take a closer look at the major shifts that have occurred concerning the perception and treatment of death across history, from Greco-Roman ages to our time, in order to understand how our present relationship with death was formed. We’ll then learn about different practices in rituals surrounding dying, death, and mourning across different societies. From those who preferred to disintegrate the body to help the transition of the soul to a higher realm to those who believe the body’s integrity was a requisite for the afterlife. The course is for everyone with a curiosity about death and how the living experience and explore the end of our mortal existence.

SYLLABUS AT A GLANCE

This course includes four total sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours on four consecutive Thursdays beginning October 3.

Session 1 (Thursday, 10/3, 5-6:30 PM ET)| Death as Inevitable: A spin through the History of Death in the Western world, from the Greco-Roman ages until the French Revolution

Session 2 (Thursday, 10/10, 5-6:30 PM ET)| Death as Taboo: A look at the major shifts concerning the perception of Death in the Contemporary age and the Future of Death

Session 3 (Thursday, 10/17, 5-6:30 PM ET)| Death as Passage: A cross cultural perspective about different communities who preserved their dead as a means of passage to the afterlife

Session 4 (Thursday, 10/23, 5-6:30 PM ET)| Death as Liberation: A glance at distinct societies who disintegrated their dead in order to help them achieve final liberation

BETWEEN SESSIONS

Outside of class, students will be given optional reading materials and tasks, and will be encouraged to journal all their reflections concerning death and dying throughout the course.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR, DANIA RODRIGUES

Dânia Rodrigues is a cultural anthropologist specializing in thanatology, tribal communities, and Eastern religions. She has a master's degree in cultural anthropology and ethnology from Turin University; her master's thesis was about Pol Pot's regime and the Cambodian genocide. She has authored academic and divulgation articles about cemeteries, skulls and bizarre rituals. She has led a nomadic existence since 2015, conducting field research across tribal regions in India and Southeast Asia; she ventures to perilous locations to meet naga saddhus, headhunters and isolated communities. She is also an underwater photographer, and a tour leader focused on community and sustainable tourism. She is fascinated about the following topics: quantum physics, string theory and time traveling; lucid dreaming; scuba diving; ornithology; shamanism and animism; rites of passage and liminal stage; death rituals; forgotten civilizations; mythology; deep sea creatures; consciousness; reforestation and water conservation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

This lecture series is designed so students can participate live or watch a recording of each session, after it airs, at a time that is convenient for them. Sessions will take place live over Zoom, with dedicated Q&A segments for students to ask questions via video or chat. Within 72 hours after each session meets, students will receive access to a recording of the live session, which they can watch for up to two weeks after the course concludes.

Instructors may use Google Classroom to communicate with students outside of class. While students aren’t required to use Google Classroom, instructors may use this platform to post resources, discussion questions, or assignments. This platform also offers a space for students to connect with one another about course material between sessions.

ACCESSING YOUR COURSE

Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite that will provide access to the class meeting. Please save the confirmation email as you’ll use it to access all sessions of your course via Zoom.

PRICING OPTIONS

This course is available at three ticket prices. This tiered pricing model is designed to increase access for a wider range of students as well as to support our instructors. In addition to tiered tickets, we offer a limited number of no-pay spots for students who would not otherwise be able to take this course. No-pay spots are selected via a randomized drawing two weeks before each section begins. For more information and to apply for a no-pay spot, please click here. To learn more about our pricing model and randomized selection process for no-pay spots, please visit our FAQ page.

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS

Please take a moment to review our community guidelines for students, which aim to share our classroom ethos and help set the stage for the best possible learning experience.

ACCESSIBILITY

We provide closed captioning for all of our courses and can share transcripts upon request. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions, requests, or accessibility needs.

ATLAS OBSCURA ONLINE COURSES

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