Course Description
The dynamic interplay between aging, inequalities and privilege occurs through interpersonal interactions, societal institutions, and social policies. In addition to contemporary Western literature examining aging, gender, race-ethnicity, and social class, we also will consider aging in cross-cultural and historical perspectives through the use of comparative and historical readings and discussions.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Students will collaborate with community partners to identify a
specific problem or inequality faced by community-dwelling
elders. Students then will create a proposal to address the
problem or inequality, including an outline of steps (an action
plan), that they and undergraduates will implement in the
community in collaboration with community partners.
Athena Title
Aging and Social Inequalities
Undergraduate Prerequisite
HDFS 3710 or HDFS(FHCE) 4500/6500 or permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course students will have an understanding of: 1. Barriers that lead to inequalities. 2. Influence of socioeconomic status, gender and ethnicity on experiences of aging. 3. Inequalities and privileges associated with Medicare and Social Security. 4. Ways that women are penalized for unpaid (often family- centered) labor 5. Ways in which ethnicity may be an empowering resource or a source of disadvantage for elders. 6. The influence of age and power in family and interpersonal relationships. 7. Ways that age provides privileges and/or disadvantages, and 8. Theories of aging.
Topical Outline
1. Population aging and implications for social inequality 2. The media, older women, and ageism. 3. Age and privilege. 4. The role of social policies on women in later life. 5. Sociocultural influences in the creation of barriers. 6. Aging and ethnicity as resource or as disadvantage. 7. Women and retirement. 8. Women as caregivers. 9. Power dynamics in family and interpersonal relationships. 10. Widowhood. 11. Inequalities and health. 12. Barriers to use of support services. 13. Constraints and barriers to aging in place.