SOCIOLOGY 2140
Sociological Aspects of
Aging
E-mail: sclaxton@highlands.edu
Prerequisites: SOCI 1101 or PSYC 1101
Course
Description:
This
course is a theory and survey course, which provides information on the issues
facing individuals as they age.
Examination of institutional interrelations that affect individuals as
they age, along with analysis of systemic changes needed to better aid aging
individuals as they enter various service delivery systems. Other sociological
perspectives which exam the structure of society and its influence on how an
individual perceives and reacts to the aging process are also studied. Experiential learning techniques will be
utilized along with lecture.
Text: Hillier, S. and Barrow, G. (1999). Aging the Individual, and Society (7th
Edition)
Course
Objectives:
1.
To teach students the major theoretical perspectives, research
methodologies, and concepts in social gerontology.
2.
To teach students the many ways that social class, gender, and
race/ethnicity affect the aging experience.
3.
To foster an appreciation of the complexity and variety of aging
experiences
4.
To encourage the students to think more analytically about aging,
including their own aging.
Course
Requirements:
TEXTBOOK
AND READING ASSIGNMENTS:
It
is the responsibility of the student to read and study all assigned material in
the text. Handouts from class sessions
should be studied thoroughly.
The
assigned material in the text provides the background for informed
participation in class. The student
should be prepared for class by becoming thoroughly familiar with assigned
material.
CLASS
MEETINGS
Students
are expected to attend class regularly and participate in all class
activities. Full participation involves
taking part in class discussions, involvement in group activities, and
completion of in-class assignments.
Since
the instructor will be providing information to augment the text, if it is
necessary for a student to be absent from class, the student should,
immediately upon return to class, check with instructor regarding work missed,
obtain class notes from anther student, and arrange to view audio-visual
presentations.
Students
are required to research and write a 6-8-page paper. The purpose of this paper is to give the
students an opportunity to explore an area of special interest, while at the
same time developing the skills set out in the leaning objectives. Guidelines for the paper will be handed out
on the first class meeting
ABSTRACTS
There
will be 5 abstracts due during the semester.
Deadlines will be announced in class.
Abstracts may be generated from assigned readings and/or academic
journals.
EXAMS
There
will be 4 exams and a comprehensive final.
Exams will be based on information from class sessions, textbook, and
outside reading assignments. Exams
should be taken on the day they are scheduled.
Make up exams will not be allowed except in extreme circumstances, and
at the instructor’s discretion.
GRADING
SYSTEM
Unit
Test Average..........................................................40%
Paper..............................................................................20%
Abstracts........................................................................15%
Final
Exam.....................................................................15%
Class
Participation/Attendance......................................10%
Total..................................................................100%
Students
receiving a grade of 90-100
will receive an A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
Below 60 F
1.
INTRODUCTION
2.
STEREOTYPES AND IMAGES OF AGING
**Assignment** Bring in TWO Images of aging: one positive and one negative
3.
HISTORICAL AND CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES
4.
DEMOGRAPHY OF AGING
5.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
6.
MENTAL HEALTH
7.
THEORIES OF DEVELOPMENT AND AGING
8.
GENDER, RACE, AND ETHNICITY
9. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
10. LIVING ENVIRONMENTS
11.
WORK AND RETIREMENT
12.
AGING IN THE 21ST CENTRUY