2.7 Chapter Assignment

Historical Beliefs & Death Related Practices Assignment

This chapter’s assignment is about cemeteries, grave markers, and death statistics. It involves visiting one or more cemeteries, taking photographs, conducting some web-based research, and writing a short essay. It is important to: (1) complete all chapter materials (chapter content, including all embedded links to readings and videos, and the required course materials) prior to starting the assignment; and (2) cite relevant course material (from current and previous chapters) throughout your assignment to support your points, credit sources of concepts/ideas, and demonstrate completion of assigned course materials.

Assignment Formatting & Style for Written Report

• Assignment formatting requirements: Arial 12-point font; 1 inch/2.54 centimeter margins; single spaced; APA in-text citation style, reference section and cover page.
• Use proper essay/paragraph style.
• Paraphrase as opposed to relying on direct quotes.
• Use APA in-text citation style to support points, credit sources of concepts/ideas, demonstrate research completed for assignment and completion of assigned course material.
• Use APA style appendices to organize assignment.
• Proofread your submission to make sure it is clear, well written, and intelligible.

Steps to Completing the Assignment

1. Visit one or more Canadian cemeteries in person or virtually (in order to visit a cemetery virtually, you will need to find one or more cemeteries that has/have all their headstones catalogued on their website) (the larger and older the cemetary, the less likely you will have to go to more than one, physically or virtually) and find 6 grave makers/headstones that meet the criteria in I & II below. Some cemeteries provide burial services for particular religious or cultural groups, either through separate cemeteries or sections of cemeteries. As different groups may tend to use different forms of grave markers, due to the small sample size for this assignment, it is better to stay with the same group for all 6 grave markers/headstone that you are required to identify. If planning to go to a cemetery, calling the cemetery in advance will help you identify appropriate cemeteries and locations within cemeteries for this assignment. Stopping in at the cemetery office can also make it easier to find the locations for the type of headstone/grave markers required for the assignment.
   1. Find and photograph/save the image of 3 grave markers/headstones within a 10-year period for people who died between 1910 and 1933.
   2. Find and photograph/save the image of 3 grave makers/headstones within a 10-year period for people who died between 2000 and 2023.
2. Go online and search for Canadian statistics for the 2 decades from which you drew your sample markers/stones to find out: the 8 leading causes of death; and the average life-expectancy for those 2 periods of time.
3. Write a properly sourced, short essay (500-750 words) where you address/reflect upon:
   1. The differences in appearance of the grave markers (e.g., what they look like, what they are made of, what is written on them, etc.), between your two selected decades.
   2. The differences in the cause of death and life-expectancy across your two selected decades.
   3. What you learned collecting the data for the assignment (the photographed grave markers and the collected statistics), as well as your experience completing the assignment, including spending time in a cemetery (in-person or online).
4. Organize photos/images, statistical data collected into appendices. For each photo, indicate where and when it was taken. For images borrowed from the internet, be sure to properly credit their source and provide the website address at which they were found. Clearly indicate which cemetery or cemeteries you went to and include their address(es)/web address(es).
5. Use APA in-text citation style to support points, credit sources of concepts/ideas, demonstrate research completed (i.e., statistical data sources) for assignment and completion of assigned course materials. In-text citations to support your points/arguments are essential and required. Be sure to use a diverse range of materials (from current and previous chapters) as opposed to relying heavily on one, or a few sources.

As explained in this chapter’s materials, cemeteries are interesting historic sites, and many are places where you can commune with nature. However: Due to the often isolated nature of cemeteries, it is highly recommended that you DO NOT visit a cemetery on your own. Instead ask a friend, family member, or classmate to join you OR do your research online and base your assignment a cemetery or cemeteries that have all their headstones catalogued on their website. 

Assignment Submissions Must Include

1. A proper APA style cover page.
2. A short, properly sourced, essay as detailed above.
3. A proper APA reference section that contains all the material cited in the assignment. If basing the assignment on online cemetery catalogues or data bases, provide a citation for each image borrowed (including web address links).
4. Proper APA style appendices containing: photographs of the 6 grave markers; cemetery information; and statistical data used in the assignment.