Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

1.  Introduction and overview of the discipline of Gerontology.

• Scientific process and methods used in studying aging process.

• Language, key concepts, and empirical principles in Gerontology.

• Biological and social theoretical models used to understand the aging process.

• Characteristics of the elderly -- myths vs. reality.

• Experiences of growing old in an industrialized society.

• Relevant issues and programs involving older persons.

• Locate scientific studies dealing with aging.

• Discuss relevant issues and programs for older persons.

• Distinguish between myths and reality.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• How local, state, and national social problems emerge and are defined.

• Influence economic, socio-cultural, budgetary, and judicial factors have on development of Gerontological policy.

• Political and organizational processes used to influence policy.

• Process for developing and implementing public and private sector policy.

• Current social policy/programs and their historical development.

• Theoretical and empirical models for policy analysis.

• Values and ethics that guide gerontologists in practice and policy.

• Discuss relevant policy issues.

• Utilize a model and actually assesses a current social policy.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Characteristics of ethnic elderly population.

• Differential impact that ethnicity has on the aging process.

• Theoretical models used in understanding the uniqueness of the aging process for particular ethnic groups.

• Ethnic experience of growing old.

• Relevant health, medical care, life courses, family structure, mental health and provision of service issues.

• Scientific methods utilized in studying ethnic groups.

• Empirical body of knowledge dealing with ethnic aging.

• Locate and summarize scientific studies dealing with ethnicity and aging.

• Select and utilize theoretical models to analyze a case of an ethnic older person.

• Discuss relevant issues that face ethnic older persons / communities.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Process for scientific methods of inquiry.

• Relevant issues and principles in doing scientific research.

• Models for assessing research findings.

• Research designs for evaluation of practice strategies.

• Need for development and utilization of knowledge grounded in sound scientific principles for the purpose of arriving at alternative intervention in practice.

• Qualitative and quantitative research processes.

• Methods of community based social survey research.

• Professional codes of ethics in (a) using human subjects, (b) following sound scientific principles, (c) giving credit to others’ work, and (d) reporting findings for single system and survey research projects.

• Critical thinking skills in designing scientific studies.

• Scientifically designing and assessing intervention strategies for practice.

• Planning and doing social surveys.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Language and concepts of statistics.

• Methods of organizing and displaying data sets that facilitate communication of the characteristics of data.

• Assumptions underlying both descriptive and inductive statistics.

• Methods for selecting most appropriate and discerning statistical tests.

• Calculating both descriptive and inductive statistical tests.

• Interpreting statistical findings in such a manner that researchers and practitioners can easily understand and utilize research findings.

• Methods of preparing data set for computers.

• Steps in computer analysis using descriptive and inductive statistical tests.

• Professional code of ethics in (a) utilizing appropriate tests, (b) reaching conclusions, and (c) communicating results.

• Selecting the most appropriate descriptive and inductive statistical test and calculating and interpreting the results of the analysis.

• Creating a computer data file and doing computer analysis of data sets using both descriptive and inductive statistics.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Importance of taking a pro-active approach in planning and making preparations for later stages of the life cycle.

• Dimensions of economic planning, implications for retirement.

• Factors and process of moving from a work ethic orientation to a world of leisure.

• Life style options and necessary considerations as older persons age.

• Elements in identifying a housing and geographical locations for retirement, i.e., housing options, types of structures, compatibility with age related body changes, structures, climates, costs, and housing.

• Considerations in developing comprehensive retirement plans.

• Developing comprehensive retirement plans.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Issues of independent and dependent living of older persons.

• Types of emotional reaction to age-related crisis.

• Elements and recognition of defense mechanisms common among older persons.

• Elements and recognition of psychiatric disorders common among older persons.

• Elements and recognition of cognitive disorders associated with older persons.

• Dimensions in doing comprehensive assessment of older persons.

• Methods of identifying community resources available to older persons who are experiencing crises and disorders.

• Effective interviewing of older persons.

• Doing assessment/diagnostic evaluation of older persons.

• Identifying resources and making the most appropriate referrals.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Recognition that death is a reality, and planning and preparation are important in dealing with the process.

• Dying and grieving processes.

• Elements and considerations in planning and dealing with dying and death.

• Community resources available to assist persons, friends, and families in dealing with dying and death.

• Developing plans for dying and death.

• Assisting people in dealing with the process of dying and death.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Relationship between theory and research as it applies to the world of work.

• Process of identifying and making agency referrals.

• Structure and polices of agencies.

• Agency-specific learning of administration and procedural processes.

• Importance of coming to terms with personal feeling and values that interfere with professional responsibility in working with clients.

• Identifying community resources and making appropriate referrals.

• Keeping confidentiality.

• Effective oral and written communication.

• Work ethic.

• Setting priorities, organizing work, and managing time.

• Adhering to rules, policies, and procedures of a specific agency.

Academic Focus: Outcome

Gerontology Course Numbers

• Review, reinforce, assess, and integrate Gerontological knowledge in preparation for gerontology world of work.

• Preparation for job seeking and/or graduate school admission.

• Specialized Gerontological topics not included in current curriculum that senior students desire.

• Review, synthesize, and evaluate Gerontological perspectives as they relate to the student’s selected area of work in gerontology.

• Identifying potential opportunities in the job market.

• Developing a resume for employment.

• Effective techniques for job interviewing.

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