Death and Justice: A Case Study

This August intensive is an advanced counter oppression course focusing on the book Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink.  The premise of the course is that you are a religious leader – perhaps a CPE student working in Memorial Hospital or a parish minister in the hospital for another reason.   You are trapped in the hospital in New Orleans by rising water.  How do you understand race, class and ageism as they play out in this setting?  What tools would you have to address the situation intersectionally and perhaps even prevent the euthanasia that happened?   We will address this case study through readings on racial justice; prayer and meditation are some of your tools.  Students must read the book and submit summaries 7 days prior to the class.  Required reading includes Ta-Nehisi Coats Between the World and Me, a book on prayer chosen by the student and other articles to be assigned. The class will involve analysis of the hospital system, case study role playing, presentations by experts and much extemporaneous prayer.  This will be an intense and experiential learning experience. Pre-requisites: ECO or instructor permission are pre-requisites. It is particularly important that students come to class prepared.  NOTE: This class will meet from 9:00am-5:00pm the week of Aug. 14 – Aug. 18, 2017.