Social Work Program
Location: Elliott Hall 308 / Gerontological Social Work
SOWK 4700-01
Fall 2012
Credits: 3
Professor Vicki Gardine Williams, ACSW, LAPSW Office Location: WB 310G
Office Hours: As Posted
E-mail: Office Phone: 963-7668
Textbook: Moody, H.R. (2012). Aging Concepts and Controversies (7th ed). Los Angeles, CA: Pine Forge.
Recommended Readings: Social Work and other related educational Journals
Course Description
A course designed to examine the aging process and its impact upon the individual, the family, and society. Emphasis is placed on the physical, psychological, and sociological aspects of aging. An interdisciplinary approach is used in dealing with these aspects to enhance and enrich the understanding of the life process. Prerequisite: admission to upper division.
SKILLS & ASSESSMENTS
Skill / AssessmentDefine the scope of gerontological practice in the US. / Classroom Quizzes; Mid-term and Final Examinations; Group Projects; Guest Speakers and class discussion
Map the biopsychosocial aspects of aging. / Same as Above
Facilitate successful aging. / Same as Above
Articulate aging issues in the family. / Same as Above
Articulate aging issues in organizations and communities. / Same as Above
Articulate the concepts, issues, and cultural diversity of the aged. / Same as Above
Instructional Methods and Techniques
This course will utilize the following instructional modalities:
1. Classroom lectures by the instructor.
2. Guest Lecturers
3. Case Studies
4. Small group discussion
5. Audio visual presentations
Course Assignments, and Evaluation Criteria
Final grades for the course will be based on the completion of the following assignments:
1. Four Quizzes (5% each) …………………… 20%
2. Mid-Term Examination……………………… 20%
3. Attendance and Participation…………………..10%
4. Group Project/Presentation…………………….30%
5. Final Examination………………………………20%
TOTAL 100%
Final Grade is based on the above weights and the following ranges:
Grade Ranges
A 100-90
B 89-80
C 79-70
D 69-60
F 50- 0
COURSE QUIZZES and EXAMS AND DUE DATES
Quiz # 1 - Textbook assigned readings – Thurs., Sept. 13th
Quiz # 2 - Textbook assigned readings – Thurs., Oct. 11th
Mid-term Examination – assigned readings (Quizzes 1 & 2) – Thurs., Oct. 25th
Quiz # 3 - Textbook assigned readings – Thurs., Nov. 8th
Quiz # 4 - Textbook assigned readings – Thurs., Dec. 6th
Final Examination - Textbook assigned readings (Quizzes 3 & 4) – Dec. 7 - 14th
Group Project/Presentation Assignment
Group Project/Paper/Presentations – DUE December 4th & 6th
Students will be assigned to groups of 4-5 members to complete project/paper. The group will select a Gerontology project to complete, for i.e., observing and interacting with elder persons in a public setting ; interviewing a Grandparent or elder person; researching and presenting a legislative policy impacting the elderly in Nashville, Middle TN or the state of TN; visiting a senior community center, foster home or health care facility and describing the visits and services; or exploring the internet for up to date information on aging and resources for the aging; etc. The group will establish tasks and rules to accomplish the project and final paper for submission on due dates. This project should include literature review supporting your “activities” (visits, interactions, and/or observations) in the community or home environment.
Timely reports and drafts of project and final paper could be submitted throughout the semester. Presentations of projects will be held on Dec.4th & 6th. Final papers which include introductory and related information taken from references, and a description of project activities will be due before in-class presentations.
All group members are expected to contribute to the project/paper in a timely and committed manner. IT IS A GROUP GRADE! On a single page, the final page of your paper, please list the names of all students with a statement next to each name describing the task and activities of each student.
Included in the course syllabus are Written Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria and Oral Presentation Guidelines and evaluation. PLEASE FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES in preparing your final paper and oral presentation.
Remember, this assignment is worth 30% of your final grade
VI. GENERAL POLICIES OF COURSE
Class Attendance and Participation will be recorded and graded. Students are expected to arrive on time and stay for the duration of the class. Six late attendances will be counted as one absence. Class Participation includes participating in class discussions; group activities and discussions; and group presentations.
All tests and assignments must be completed and submitted on due dates unless notified of change of date by professor. Late Assignments will receive a five point deduction for every class period that it is late. The only exceptions to this policy are University excused absences. Make-up tests or extensions for assignments will be granted only in cases of University excused absences or prior approval of the professor.
Students with disabilities who need course adaptations or accommodations should contact the University Disabled Student Services, Kean Hall, Room 117.
MEETING SCHEDULE
DATE / LESSON TOPICS / LEARNING ACTIVITIES / RESOURCES/TEXTBOOK /Aug 28 / Scope of Social Gerontology / DISTINGUISH BETWEEN MYTHS AND FACTS OF OLDER ADULTS. / Video Presentation
Controversy 8
Aug 30 / Demography of Aging / Basic Concepts III
Sep 4 / Demography of Aging / Con’t- Basic Concept III
Sep 6 / The History of Aging in America / Controversy 11
Sep 11 / The History of Aging
in America / Con’t- Controversy 11
Sep 13 / QUIZ # 1 – (Assigned Readings & Videos)
Sep 18 / Theories of Aging / Explore theories of aging. / Basic Concept 1
Sep 20 / Physical Aging and Health / IDENTIFY PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUES IN AGING. / Con’t -Basic Concept 1
Sep 25 / Psychological Aspects of Aging / IDENTIFY MENTAL HEALTH AND COGNITIVE CONCERNS IN AGING. / Controversy 2 & 3
Sep 27 / Psychological Aspects of Aging / Con’t - Controversy 2 & 3
Oct 2 / Successful aging / Formulate appropriate diagnoses and biopsychosocial assessments of elderly persons. /
Video Presentation
Oct 4 / Employment and Retirement / Controversy 10 – Is Retirement Obsolete?
Oct 9 / Activities, Lifestyles, Religion, and Spirituality / Explore the Activities and lifestyles, Religion and Spirituality of the aged that contribute to successful aging. / Controversy 1 – Does Old Age Have Meaning?
Oct 11 / Quiz # 2 – Assigned Readings and Video Presentations
Oct. 16 / FALL BREAK
Oct 18 / Health Care and Epidemiology
Caregiving, Family, friends and Social support / CONSTRUCT A BALANCE BETWEEN CAREGIVER STRESS AND REWARDS. / Basic Concept II – Aging, Health Care and Society
Controversy 4 – Should we Ration Health Care for Older People?
Oct 23 / MIDTERM EXAM (Quizzes 1 & 2)
Oct 25 / Housing / EXPLORE DIFFERENT LIVING ARRANGEMENTS. / Controversy 5 – Should Families Provide for their own?
Oct 30 / Legal, Financial, and Abuse / IDENTIFY LEGAL AND FINANCIAL PLANNING CONCERNS. Explore the lifestyle implications and protections against abuse of the aged. / Controversy 6 – Should Older People be Protected from Bad Choices?
Basic Concepts III – Social and Economic Outlook for an Aging Society.
Nov 1 / Euthanasia & Depression / Explore the individual rights questions at end of life. / Controversy 7 – Should People
have the Choice to End
their lives?
Nov 6 / QUIZ # 3 (Assigned Readings and Video Presentations)
Nov 8 / Aging in Contemporary America Society and Culture / IDENTIFY FAMILY ISSUES INVOLVED IN CONSUMER-DIRECTED AND COMMUNITY-DIRECTED CARE. / Video Presentations
Nov 13 / Community Social Services / ARRANGE FOR PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENTS AND CAREGIVER RESOURCES. / Video Presentations
Basic Concepts III ; Controversy 8; 10; and Controversy 11
Nov 15 / Politics and Government and the Future / NEGOTIATE A BALANCE
BETWEEN WORK AND
CAREGIVING / Controversy 9
Nov 20 / Family Caregiving and Work Release / NEGOTIATE A BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND CAREGIVING. / Con’t -Controversy 9
Nov 22 / NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING
Nov 27 / Group Projects/Paper Preparation
Nov 29 / OUIZ # 4 (Assigned Readings and video presentations)
Dec 4 / Oral Presentations
Dec 6 / Oral Presentations
Dec 7-14 / FINAL EXAM (QUIZZES # 3 & 4)
VIII. WRITTEN GUIDELINES AND EVALUATION CRITERIA
A. Paper should be neatly typed; a minimum of three pages single-spaced or five pages
double-spaced with usual margin allowances.
B. Paper should include an introduction (intent of paper), main body, and conclusion
(summary and implications).
C. Paper should be written in formal style using proper grammar, sentence construction,
punctuation and spelling.
D. The concepts and ideas presented in the paper should be specific, detailed, and well-defined.
E. Paper should be organized, creative, and critically analyzed (personal reactions and viewpoints)
F. Concepts and ideas and personal reactions and viewpoints should be supported or argued with the use of reference materials (library and supplemental readings).
G. Paper should include citations within the body of the paper and a reference page.
Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA)
documentation styles; minimum of ten references (books, journals, pamphlets, legal
documents, etc.).
DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOUR INSTRUCTOR IS KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER. PROVIDE SPECIFIC, DETAILED, AND WELL-DEFINED INFORMATION
The Total Points for the Papers are 100 Points As Follows:
Criteria Points
1. Type form and neatness; length of paper 10
2. Introduction, main body and conclusion 15
3. Grammar, sentence construction, punctuation, 20
and spelling
4. Concepts and ideas 20
5. Organization, creativity, critical analysis 20
6. Use of reference materials 10
7. Citations and reference page using correct
(MLA or APA style): Minimum of ten references 5
Total = 100
IX. Oral Presentations Guidelines - Evaluation Criteria (100 Points)
Presentations will be evaluated on the following dimensions: Pts.
1. Organization: communicate ideas within some structure
including basic components:
Introduction, main body and conclusion. 30
2. Coherency: presentation and written report should exhibit unity.
The parts of the presentation
should fit together. The written report
read as if one person wrote it. 20
3. Application: presentation should clearly present the
abstract concept and ideas along with concrete examples. 40
4. Visual Communication: should have a clear purpose for
including visual aids like graphics,
posters, handouts, slides/videos or
films. Use them to capture what you
think is important. 10
TOTAL 100
1
Revised 8/2012
STUDENT LEARNING SELF-ASSESSMENT
FALL SEMESTER 2012
This survey is to be completed and turned in at the end of the semester when this course is completed. Your response on this survey does not impact your grade. The information you provide is used to determine possible social work program improvements.
Limited Grasp of the Skill / Below Average Grasp / Average Grasp / Above Average Grasp / Exceptional Grasp of the SkillDefine the scope of gerontological practice in the US. / / / / /
Map the biopsychosocial aspects of aging. / / / / /
Facilitate successful aging. / / / / /
Articulate aging issues in the family. / / / / /
Articulate aging issues in organizations and communities. / / / / /
Articulate the concepts, issues, and cultural diversity of the aged. / / / / /
1
Revised 8/2012