Course Description
Interdisciplinary overview of gerontology from social, psychological, biological, and public health perspectives. Focused on contemporary issues of interest to individuals, families, communities, practitioners, and scholars in our rapidly aging society.
Athena Title
Foundations of Aging
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in GRNT 7100E
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Learning Outcomes – after completing this course, students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate how the aging process (physical, social, and psychological) affect the mind and body. 2. Interpret and apply the general concepts and theoretical frameworks related to gerontology. 3. Examine how the aging of our population will affect you and your family, as well as how it affects society as a public health issue. 4. Analyze diverse aging-related research and practices.
Topical Outline
1. Analyze the major theories of aging in the biological, behavioral, and social sciences 2. Explain key features of gerontological research 3. Examine historical, cultural, and diversity issues in aging 4. Differentiate normal and pathological physical aging 5. Explore personality, self, mental health, and aging 6. Identify social supports and aging 7. Examine productive aging, paid and nonpaid roles, and activities in work, leisure, and retirement 8. Appreciate death, dying, bereavement, and widowhood from older adult perspectives 9. Compare social policies for older adults 10. Explore personality, self, mental health, and aging 11. Identify social supports and aging 12. Understand productive aging, paid and nonpaid roles, and activities in work, leisure, and retirement 13. Understand policy for financial security in older adults