IthacaCollege

Gerontology Institute

Introduction to Aging Studies

Spring 2012

GERO-10100-01MWF 10:00-10:50 amWILL 317

GERO-10100-02MWF 11:00-11:50 amWILL 222

Mary Ann Erickson, Ph.D.

Office: 421 Center for Health Sciences

Phone: 274-3705 (office), 273-8157 (home)

E-mail:

Office hours: Tuesdays noon-3 pm

by appointment

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the social, psychological, and physical dimensions of aging. We will examine the aging process experienced by the individual and how the aging of the population affects our society as a whole. By the end of the class, you will be able to:

1. Identify myths and stereotypes of aging and describe how these shape attitudes and policy toward older adults.

2. Describe demographic changes occurring in the U.S. and other countries, and explain the implications for society.

3. Compare theoretical perspectives and that explain the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging.

4. Describe normal age-related changes in the physiological, psychological, sexual, and social domains.

5. Recognize sources of diversity in the aging experience, and describe the impact of gender, race, culture, and socioeconomic status on older people.

6. Identify current issues affecting older adults, and describe existing policies and programs that address these.

Required Books

  1. Novak, Mark (2012). Issues in Aging (3rd edition). Pearson.
  2. Kleiner, Gregg (1996). Where River Turns to Sky. Avon Books.
  3. Snyder, Lisa (2000). Speaking Our Minds. W. H. Freeman.

Supplemental readings will be available either through handouts or on Sakai.

EVALUATION: The final course grade will be determined based on the following:

3 tests, 16% each48%

Written Work

Reflection on novel 9%

Disease case study 9%

Alzheimer’s reflection 9%

Final project 15%

42%

Class presentation, discussion

assignmentsand web postings 10%

100%

DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSIGNMENTS/TESTS

1.Tests: There will be 2 in-class tests during the semester, and a non-cumulative final exam. Each test is 16% of your grade. Tests are a mix of true/false, matching, multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. Study guides will be handed out before each test.

2. Writing Assignments: Writing assignments will be typed, double spaced in 12 point font with 1 inch margins all around. A cover page is preferred. Papers should be stapled! Appropriate citations should be used for any information/quotes you use from sources other than your own personal knowledge. Papers that receive a grade in the “A” range must be interesting, original, and/or thoughtful; they must also be free of significant spelling and grammatical errors.

3. Class presentation, discussion assignments and web postings: There will be a class presentation assignment worth 2 points. In addition, throughout the semester there will be short assignments, some to post to the class website, others to complete in class. In-class work cannot be made up without a valid excuse (see below!!). We will have 8.5 points of unannounced, in-class assignments, so one .5 point assignment can be missed without penalty.

LATE POLICY: If awriting assignmentis turned in late, but within two days (weekdays, not class periods) of the original due date, it will be accepted but will be marked down 10% per day. Written work will not be accepted after that. Discussion assignments cannot be turned in late or made up unless you make prior arrangements with me OR you can provide a valid excuse for missing class. Valid excuses are written confirmations of athletic conflicts, illness, and religious conflicts.

COURSE WEBSITE: There will be important course information on the course website on Sakai. Course documents such as the syllabus, study guides, and assignment sheets will be available; I will also post my Power Point notes. We will occasionally use the discussion group feature. You will also be able to view your grade online. Monitor the site for announcements about assignments and supplemental readings.

EXTRA CREDIT:

You can earn 1 extra credit point by attending a public lecture given by Kathy Greenlee, the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging, at 7 pm on Thursday, April 12 in the Park Auditorium. There may be other opportunities, however one extra credit point can be earned.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Appendix II of the Ithaca College Student Handbook outlines the College policies regarding standards of academic conduct. Any evidence of academic misconduct will be referred to the College judicial system and will be assessed a significant grade penalty. This includes quoting without attribution (i.e., plagiarism).
ATTENDANCE: It is expected that students will attend class. If absences do occur it is the student’s responsibility to make up missed work and to be aware of any schedule changes or assignments that were made in the class(es) missed. Discussion and short assignments may NOT be made up unless prior arrangements have been made.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case by case basis. Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services and provide appropriate documentation to the college before any academic adjustment will be provided.

LETTER GRADE SCALE

The scale below will be used for midterm and final course grades. (NOTE: I do not “round up”. If your final class point total is 89.8, you have earned a B+ in the class.)

93 A73C

90A-70C-

87B+67D+

83B63D

80B-60D-

77C+<60F

Introduction to Aging Studies

Tentative Schedule: Spring 2012

*Assigned readings should be completed by the date on the schedule.

Viewing Aging Through Different Lenses

Date

/ Topic / Readings / Assignments Due
M 1/23 / Cultural Constructs
Introduction
W 1/25 / History and Culture / Novak 1
F 1/27 / Models of Aging / Novak pp. 25-38 and 143-148 / Web posting on age in the media
M 1/30 / Successful Aging / Novak pp. 113-116
W 2/1 / Age in the Media / Kleiner pp. 1-101 / First student presentations
F 2/3 / Demographics
Demographic Transition / Novak 3
M 2/6 / Population Aging
W 2/8 / Effects of Population Aging / Kleiner pp. 105-233
F 2/10 / Relationships / Novak 12 and pp. 381-393
M 2/13 / Changing Cohorts / Novak pp. 39-50
W 2/15 / Diversity
Gender / Kleiner pp. 235-end
F 2/17 / Race / Novak 6 / Post reflection on in-class family activity
M 2/20 / Sexual orientation and disability / BB: “Aging with Disabilities” and “Aging and Gay”
W 2/22 / Review and discuss novel / Reflection on novel due
F 2/24 / Exam / First exam
Issues in Aging
M 2/27 / Work and Retirement
Work / Novak 9
W 2/29 / Retirement and Leisure / Novak 11
F 3/2 / Pensions / Novak 8
M 3/5 / Social Security
W 3/7 / Aging and Anti-Aging
Anti-Aging / BB: “Anti-Aging: Why Now?” / Post to Sakai on Social Security game
F 3/9 / Why and How Do We Age? / Novak 4 / Post to Sakai in response to “Never Say Die”
M 3/19 / Older Athletes / Student presentations
W 3/21 / Longevity
Sensory Changes / BB: “How to Live to Be 100” / Post response to longevity quiz on Sakai
F 3/23 / Health and Aging / Post to Sakai on sensory simulation; Student presentations
M 3/26 / Sexuality / BB: “Sexuality in Older Adults’ Relationships”
W 3/28 / Review
F 3/30 / Exam / Second exam
M 4/2 / Healthcare
Medicare and Medicaid / Novak 7
W 4/4 / Long-Term Care
F 4/6 / Caregiving and Elder Abuse / Novak pp. 393-407
M 4/9 / Living Environments / Novak 10 / Post response to “Sandwich Generation”
W 4/11 / Death & Dying / Novak 14
Th 4/12 / Extra Credit: Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging / 7 pm in the Park Auditorium
F 4/13 / Death & Dying / Post response to “Life Support”
M 4/16 / Mental Health and Alzheimer’s
Cognition / Novak 5 / Disease Case Study due
W 4/18 / Older Drivers / Student presentations
F 4/20 / Personality and Mental Health / BB: “Balding, Wrinkled and Stoned”
M 4/23 / Alzheimer’s Disease / BB: “Alzheimer’s Disease”
W 4/25 / Coping with Alzheimer’s
F 4/27 / Coping with Alzheimer’s / Snyder book / Alzheimer’s reflection paper due
M 4/30 / Politics and Equity
Politics of Age / Novak 15
W 5/2 / Generational Equity
F 5/4 / The Future of Aging / Final Project due

FINAL: If you are taking this class MWF at 10 am, your final exam is Monday May 7 at 8:30 am. If you are taking this class MWF 11 am, your final exam isFriday May 11 at 10:30 am. Due to seating limitations in our classroom, you must take the final at the assigned time for your section.