For 31 August

1. Read the intro chapters to Palmer & Barry.
2. Read "Buddhism" in Palmer.  Remember that it is on reserve in the library if your copy isn't yet delivered.
3. Watch video about Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/september-19-2003/thich-nhat-hanh/1843/

Initial questions about dying

Not everyone must answer all the prompts; the goal is a rich discussion.

Prompts:
* How do you want to die?  Where do you want to die?
* How would you determine what is 'appropriate care'?  Is doing nothing ever appropriate?  When?
* What is a good death?
* How is death removed from us?
* Do you have an obligation to care for a family member who is dying?  At what cost to yourself?
* How would you negotiate between the patient and close family?  Is the patient the unit of care?  The patient + family?  How often?  Under what circumstances?

Frontline video

Here is the link to the video we watched today in class:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/facing-death/

There are lots of good resources on the Frontline Facing Death website.  See the Facts and Figures page, for example.

Some questions for your consideration.  Not everyone needs to answer all of the questions; I'm trying to prompt a discussion.  Here, just talk about your initial reaction to and any questions you might have from the video.

Introductions

Please introduce yourselves here.  You might want to disclose your experience(s) with death & dying.