UA Sociology Professor Co-edits Encyclopedia on Death and the Human Experience

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A professor at The University of Alabama is the lead editor in the recently published Encyclopedia of Death and the Human Experience. The massive 330 entry, two-volume work has been called “a seminal work of impeccable scholarship” by Internet Bookwatch.

Dr. Dennis L. Peck, UA professor emeritus of sociology, co-edited the work with Dr. Clifton D. Bryant, a professor emeritus of sociology at Virginia Tech University. Published by Sage Publication, the encyclopedia addresses traditional death and dying-related topics and presents a unique focus on the human experience to create a new dimension to this field of study.

Peck said the encyclopedia encompasses the myriad ways people cope with death, with a special focus on the cultural beliefs, artifacts and rituals that are socially constructed in an attempt to cope with the reality of dying and death.

Peck began coordinating and editing the project prior to his retirement from UA in 2008. The project took some three and a half years to complete.

A review in the September issue of Internet Bookwatch called the encyclopedia “impressively comprehensive.

“A seminal work of impeccable scholarship, Encyclopedia of Death and the Human Experience is a core and highly recommended addition to community and academic library reference collections,” the review states.

As lead editor, Peck said his role was to identify and then invite the individuals who would contribute their talent, coordinate the effort of the associate editors, set the parameters within the established guidelines for a scholarly encyclopedia, refine the work submitted, and respond to issues. He said the encyclopedia was a team effort engaged in by a large number of dedicated individuals.

Peck said as the project developed and international networks were identified, he was able to expand the geographical range of scholars and experts to include contributors from around the world.

The entries cover historical concepts, perspectives and theories, contemporary death and survivor-related issues and research topics that are gaining notoriety.

In addition to entries authored by international scholars, contributors include health practitioners with first-hand knowledge of issues involved in dying and death as well as issues to be dealt with by those who survive and must cope with the human condition.

Dr. Linda W. Olivet, a UA professor emerita of nursing and contributor to the encyclopedia, said Peck and the other editors engaged many contributors to offer a variety of diverse and comprehensive perspectives.

“The encyclopedia addresses a large number of concepts, terms and organizations in the field — more than I have seen in any similar resource,” she said. “It will be an excellent resource for teachers, students and researchers in the study of death, dying and grief.”

Lynne DeSpelder, a contributor to the encyclopedia and co-author of the textbook “The Last Dance: Encountering Death and Dying,” said the scope and depth of the encyclopedia’s articles represent the interdisciplinary nature of the subject matter.

“In the years of effort, from identifying the topics of interest to contacting authors and editing manuscript, Dr. Peck has produced an excellent work,” said DeSpelder, who is a psychology instructor at Cabrillo College in Aptos, Calif.

Peck also served as editor-in-chief of the recently published, two volume, 21^st Century Sociology: A Reference Handbook. He served six years as editor of the international honor society journal Sociological Inquiry.