This section traverses the historical landscape of grief, revealing how cultural perspectives and societal norms from ancient times to the present have sculpted our understanding and approaches to mourning and loss. From the elaborate burial rites of ancient Egypt, through the communal expressions of sorrow in ancient Greece and Rome, to the deeply personal and reflective mourning practices influenced by religious and philosophical shifts during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
The narrative continues through the Industrial Revolution and Victorian era, highlighting how urbanization and social changes led to more individualized mourning customs. The 20th century, marked by global conflicts and technological advances, brought about new challenges and innovations in the way societies deal with grief. This journey underscores the importance of historical context in shaping grief practices and the need for social workers to apply this understanding in providing culturally competent support in today’s diverse and ever-evolving global society.
Reading Assignment for Section 2.1
Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 2.1: Grief in Historical Contexts.
What You Will Learn
In this section, you’ll journey through the historical landscape of grief, discovering how cultural perspectives and societal norms have shaped mourning practices from ancient times to today. You’ll explore elaborate burial rites, communal expressions of sorrow, and the impact of religious and philosophical shifts on mourning. Additionally, you’ll learn about the evolution of grief practices through industrialization, social changes, and the influence of modern technology and digital media.
Student Learning Outcomes for Section 2.1
- SLO 1: Analyze how ancient burial rites reflect cultural beliefs about death and the afterlife.
- SLO 2: Compare the public mourning practices of ancient civilizations to private mourning in the modern era.
- SLO 3: Discuss the impact of religious and philosophical changes on grief practices during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
- SLO 4: Evaluate how industrialization and social changes influenced mourning customs in the Victorian era.
- SLO 5: Assess the role of digital media and contemporary societal trends in shaping current grief practices.
Modification History File Created: 06/24/2024 Last Modified: 06/24/2024
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