Course Description
Review of theory, research, and methodology on aging and the family. Emphasis rests with identifying current concepts and controversies, and diversity in the experiences of families and aging individuals.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate students are required to take on three class
leadership positions. They will present a lecture on an
assigned ethnography, present a video of their choosing and
facilitate class discussion of that video, and create a class
activity and lecture on one of the major topics covered in the
course. Graduate students also have additional readings,
usually 3 to 5 peer-reviewed articles each week, and produce an
annotated bibliography of those readings. Finally, they create
a professional quality poster presentation and present it to
the class.
Athena Title
Aging and the Family
Undergraduate Prerequisite
HDFS 3710 or permission of department
Graduate Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will develop: 1. An understanding of aging within dynamic family structures. 2. An awareness of multiple intergenerational interactions that influence understandings of the aging process. 3. An awareness of the roles of policies on aging families. 4. The ability to understand and apply gerontological theories and concepts to processes that influence aging within families.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction and overview a. Older persons in a family context b. The availability of family ties in later life 2. Intimate ties a. Intimate ties in later life b. Intimate partnerships c. Being single in later life d. Transitions in marital status: Widowhood, divorce, and remarriage 3. Intergenerational relations a. Exploring intergenerational relations b. Support exchanges between older parents and their children c. Childless older persons d. Grandparents and grandchildren e. The impact of divorce and remarriage on intergenerational relations 4. Sibling relationships a. Sibling ties in middle and later life b. Life transitions and sibling ties 5. Research and policy issues and directions a. Research issues b. Social policy
Syllabus