Aging in America - COR 110-J

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AGING IN AMERICA COR ll0-J - SUMMER, 1999 SYLLABUS University of Southern Maine - Bailey Hall 405 - Mon, Tues, Weds 8:15 - 11:30am

    Instructors:                 Address:                            Phone:          email:
    E. Michael Brady          400-B Bailey Hall                780-5312        mbrady@usm.maine.edu
    Carol Lynn Davis          4th Flr Tower, Bailey Hall    780-5068       cldavis@usm.maine.edu

Course Description
Course Requirements
Course Goals
Other Course Policies
Required Readings
Topical Outline and Course Outline
Periodicals in the USM Library

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The aim of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of issues surrounding aging in contemporary America. An interdisciplinary focus will be utilized in examining these issues. Social and developmental perspectives will be explored in order to discover their assumptions about aging and their spheres of influence. These perspectives will be integrated by applying them to specific conditions encountered in later life.

COURSE GOALS

1. To help students to confront stereotypes of aging in our society and their own preconceived ideas about aging and the aged.

2. To introduce students to the social and developmental perspectives on aging, including their assumptions, methodologies, conclusions, and implications.

3. To inform students about specific issues that confront older persons and that will confront them as they age.

4. To encourage students to analyze and critique current policies and their implications for aging in America.

5. To encourage students to develop their personal perspective for dealing with their own aging.

6. To encourage students to view each older person as an individual influenced by unique developmental and social factors.

REQUIRED READINGS

Annual Editions: Aging 98/99 (12th Ed.) . (1998). Guilford, CT.: Dushkin Publishing.

Carter, Jimmy (1998). The Virtues of Aging. Library of Contemporary Thought/
Ballantine Books.

Sarton, May (1973). As We Are Now. New York: W.W. Norton

PERIODICALS IN THE USM LIBRARY

This is a partial list of aging-related journals located in the reference section of the Portland (P) and Gorham (G) USM libraries:

The Journal of Gerontology (P)
The Gerontologist (P)
Research on Aging ((G)
International Journal of Aging and Human Development (P)
Generations (G)
Educational Gerontology (G)
The Journal of Gerontological Nursing (P)
The Journal of Gerontological Social Work (P)
Death Studies (P)
Omega (P)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Students are expected to attend and actively participate in all class sessions.

2. Read! Students are expected to carefully read both required texts and handout materials as assigned. In addition books not specifically assigned, articles from scientific journals or other texts will need to be read in order to complete individual learning projects.

3. Each student will personally interview an individual 65 years of age or older. The interview should focus on gaining information about the person’s life, such as his or her educational and occupational history, health status, and family relationships. There is a two-part written assignment which follows from this interview:

a) Write a 4-5 page (double-spaced) summary of the interview, focusing attention on a discussion of at least three major issues/topics covered in class or in the readings and relevant to the interviewee’s life. Your discussion of these issues/topics should include application and integration of relevant research and theoretical concepts. Although you may wish to tape record and transcribe this interview, do not include a complete transcription with your summary.

b) For each of the three issues you choose, project yourself forward in time to when you are the age of the individual you interviewed. Using the key issues/topics discussed during the interview, compare how you believe your life will be similar to or different from your interviewee’s. Support your thinking with evidence from existent gerontological scholarship (i.e., journal articles, course texts, etc.) . This personal reflection paper, which you should attach to the 4 - 5 page interview summary, should also be approximately 4 - 5 pages in length (therefore, the total document that you hand in will be 8 - 10 pp).

Standards for evaluation:
a) Clarity of writing
b) Depth of understanding of issues selected
c) Ability to connect to current research (including class lectures, required course readings, and outside readings)

Due Date: Friday, June 25, 1999. You may mail your paper to either Mike or Carol Lynn or drop
it off in Bailey Hall 400 (either of their mailboxes).

4. Each student will write two “Learning Synthesis Reports” (LSR’s) - the first due on May 18 and the second due on May 25. . These 3 - 4 pp. double-spaced LSR’s are meant to help you to focus attention on what you are learning and how this learning applies to your own life. There are four components you should consider while constructing each LSR:

Select the single most important idea you have learned thus far in the course (with your second LSR, choose the most important idea you've learned since the first LSR). How would you synthesize this concept’s meaning for you? Why is it such an important idea?

How, if at all, does this particular idea in gerontology relate to your academic major? To your own professional or personal future?

What are the interdisciplinary implications of this concept (in some cases this will have already been discussed in the component above)?

What important questions does this idea open up for your own personal learning agenda?

5. Each student will prepare in writing and present orally in class one “Media Brief.” Choose a magazine or newspaper photograph, an advertisement, or some other portrayal of an older person (or group of older persons) in the public media. Write a 1 - 2 pp. description of this image and an analysis of what you think it suggests. Are any theories of aging represented? Stereotypes? Why did this particular media image interest you? The written brief is due on the last class (June 2). Short oral presentations of these media briefs will be scheduled at various times during the final week of class.

OTHER COURSE POLICIES

Late Submission:
It is expected that all written work will be handed in on the assigned dates. Requests for extensions must be made in a written letter to the instructors.

Incompletes:
The grade of “Inc.” will be assigned only in extreme circumstances. You should petition the faculty in writing as soon as you learn of your inability to finish the course requirements on time.

Accomodations:
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, please make a appointment to see us as soon as possible.

At any point in the semester, if you encounter difficulty with the course or feel you could be performing at a higher level, consult with us. Students experience difficulty in courses for a variety of reasons. For problems with writing skills and time management, make an appointment to see a student tutor at the Academic Support Center, 302 Payson Smith (780-4228)

Help is also available through the Counseling Center, 100 Payson Smith (780-4050) and the Office of Academic Support for Students with Disabilities, 122 Payson Smith (780-4706)

Grading Policy
            The final course grade will be determined as follows:
            Interview Summary and Reflection Paper 30%
            Two LSR’s     30%
            Media Brief (written and oral)   20%
            Attendance/participation    10%
            Personal self-evaluation    10%

TOPICAL OUTLINE AND COURSE SCHEDULE

Monday, May 10 Introduction to the Course
Myths and Stereotypes of Aging
Readings: Annual Editions, chpts. 15, 17, 18

Tuesday, May 11 Myths and Stereotypes (continued)
Psychosocial Theories of Aging
Readings: Annual Editions, chpts. 9, 23

Wednesday, May 12 Psychosocial Theories (continued)
Small Group Discussions

Monday, May 17 Aging and the Life Cycle
Readings: A.E., chpts. 11, 20

Tuesday, May 18 Demography and Issues in Longevity
Readings: A.E., chpt. 4
First LSR Due

Wednesday, May 19 Aging, the Family, and Caregiving
Readings: A.E., chpts. 2, 3, 6, 7, 16, 19, 21, 22, 32

Monday, May 24 Work, Retirement, Finances and Lifestyle
Readings: A.E., chpts. 10, 14, 24, 25, 26, 35

Tuesday, May 25 Living Environments and Mental Health
Readings: A.E., chpts. 1, 5, 12, 13, 33, 34, 36
Carter's The Virtues of Aging
Second LSR Due

Wednesday, May 26 Reminiscence and Life Review

Monday, May 31 No Class - Memorial Day

Tuesday, June 1 Aging, Death and Bereavement
Readings: A.E. chpts. 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Wednesday, June 2 Media Briefs Presentations
Summary, Conclusions, and Evaluation
Written Media Brief Due

Friday, June 25 Interview Summary/Personal Reflection Paper Due
Please bring your interview paper to either Carol Lynn or Mike’s faculty mailbox in Bailey Hall 400 or mail c/o USM, Bailey Hall 400, Gorham, ME. 04038

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