In the US and abroad we are experiencing an unprecedented boom in aging as people are living longer than ever before. Consequently, there is currently a need for professionals in all aspects of gerontology from sociology, community planning, social welfare, public policy, geriatric psychiatry, public health, and more. This course is an introductory course in social gerontology that is designed to inform students about this important demographic in our population, create awareness of potential career paths, and to do so in a fun and accessible way.
There are no required texts and class will be mostly comprised of discussion.
While it is required that you attend class and participate in discussion, more than two unexcused absences will result in a No Pass Grade. Excused absences require prior notice and possible documentation.
Homework is very light and primarily consists of a short reading or watching a film and reflection. Your participation in class is essentially most of the work. There is however a short life his/herstory that will require working with an Elder Informant.
Course Description:
This course provides an introduction to contemporary issues in the sociological study of aging——how do the elderly affect society and how does society affect the elderly. Throughout this course, you will be introduced to a broad spectrum of topics and issues related to aging as we examine the interaction of the elderly with society and with many social institutions such as religion, healthcare, government, and the economy. We will consider how age-related issues intersect with socioeconomic status, gender, race, and ethnicity. Although this course is called the Sociology of Aging, we will be drawing on the work of many disciplines including: psychology, epidemiology, health sciences, demography, and public policy; all of which have made significant contributions to the area of gerontology.
Students of all disciplinary backgrounds are welcome and no prior experience is required.
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
The primary objective of the course is for the student to come away from this class with a deeper understanding of today’s aging society and to assist the student in critically examining the basic concepts and theories in the Sociology of Aging, also known as Social Gerontology, from an interdisciplinary perspective.
In this course, students will:
1. Explore interdisciplinary theories focused on age, aging, death, and dying.
2. Understand and analyze ways that aging is shaped by social, cultural, economic, political, and historical contexts in addition to assessing ways in which gender, race, and social status interact with social institutions and social policies which shape the experience of aging
3. Have a better understanding of the major controversies associated with aging, as well as a balanced view of the differing perspectives on these controversies.
4. Have the opportunity to understand themselves and other persons as they age in the context of a changing society and through collaboration with an Elder Informant.
Section | Facilitator | Size | Location | Time | Starts | Status | CCN(LD) | CCN(UD) |
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Section 1 | Michelle LeFort & Megan Stahl | __ | 402 Barrows | [M] 6:00PM-8:00PM | 2/4/2019 | Open | -- | -- |
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