CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS OF AGING IN SOCIETY
[0129] 9101 Socy 358
Winter 2003, M,T,W,Th 9:00 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.  (SS108)

James E. Trela
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Office Phone: (410) 455-2076
e-mail trela@umbc.edu  
 Winter 2003 Office Hours: M,T,W,TH 12:30 to 1:30 P.M.
Academic IV, Room 339

Syllabus for Winter 2003, updated 12/10/02.  Changes mayl be made during the semester. 

Calendar: January wk1 [-,-,-, 2]  wk2 [6, 7, 8, 9]  wk3 [13, 14, 15, 16]  wk4 [ML, 21,22, 23]

This course deals with issues in the field of aging, emphasizing those which are on the frontier of social concern and public debate but are not generally covered in detail in survey courses. These include: prospects and implications of an expanded life expectancy, ageism and poverty, victimization and abuse of the aged, institutions and centers for the aged, social and political tension between age groups, aging and sexuality, death and dying and others. When possible the format of the course will emphasize the comparison of belief systems and reality. 

Text: Harry R. Moody, Aging: Concepts and Controversies, 2000, Pine Forge Press. The author also has a good web site: teachgero@yahoo.com. Students should visit  this site after the first class.

Other Readings are distributed to the class. Additions and substitutions may be made.

There are two exams and a paper, all equally weighted. The class project is scheduled during a canceled class (e.g. a snow day when the campus is closed). The paper should be 3 to 4 single spaced pages excluding appendices, tables and references. Details of the paper will be discussed during the first class.

Topical Outline of the Course
(subject to change)

I.      Introduction
        Administrative Arrangements
        Overview of course

II.     The Social and Political Nature of Social Problems
        Conceptual and Methodological Background

III.     Population Aging: Individual and Societal Implications

IV.     Health Status and Health Care

V.      Economic Well-being
          Intergenerational Equity and Age Conflict

VI.     Work, Retirement and Leisure

VII.    Ageism and Social Isolation

VIII.  Criminal Victimization and Abuse of the Aged
          Suicide and Aging

IX.     Social Resources (Formal and Informal)

X.      Intimacy and Sexuality in Old Age

XI.     Death, Dying, and Widowhood

XII.    Aging and the Future

A.     Introduction
        Administrative arrangements
        Overview of the course

B.    The Social & Political Nature of "social problems"
        Conceptual & Methodological Background

Readings:

1. "What is a Social Problem? Conflicting Views and Their Importance" from Richard Hershel Social Problems, 1990 (distributed in class).
2. In Moody text, "Social and Economics Outlook for an Aging Society," (p151)
3. In Moody text, "A Life Course Perspective," (p309)
Film: Myths and Realities of Aging
 

POPULATION AGING: INDIVIDUAL & SOCIAL DIMENSIONS

Life Expectancy
Demographic Trends
Social Issues

Readings:

1. In Moody text, "Prologue: American as an Aging Society"

Film: Peege

HEALTH STATUS AND HEALTH CARE

Readings:

1.  Controversy 1 in Moody text, "Should We Ration Health Care For Older People?"

Film: Health Care in America
 

ECONOMIC WELL BEING: INCOME, POVERTY AND SOCIAL POLICY

Readings:

1. Controversy 5 in Moody, "Should Age or Need be a Basis for Entitlement?

Film: Aging and the Economy


EXAM 1 ABOUT HERE

INTERGENERATION EQUITY AND AGE CONFLICT

Readings:

1. Controversy 6 in Moody, "What is the Future of Social Security?"

WORK, RETIREMENT AND LEISURE (INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS)

Readings:

1. Controversy 7 in Moody, "Is Retirement Obsolete?"


 AGEISM, SOCIAL STATUS AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION

Readings:

1. Harold G. Cox, "Roles for Aged Individuals in Post Industrial Societies," International Journal of Aging and Human Development 30(1), 55-62, (1990) (distributed in class)

2. Controversy 10 in Moody text, "Does Old Age Have Meaning?"

Film: Aging in Japan

CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION AND ABUSE OF THE AGED
SUICIDE AND SELF DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

A. Victimization and Abuse

B. Suicide and Self Destructive Behavior

Readings:

1. Controversy 3 in Moody text, "Should Older People be Protected from Bad Choices?"

SOCIAL RESOURCES (Formal and Informal)

Readings:

1. Controversy 2 in Moody text, "Should Families Provide for Their Own?"

Film: Number Our Days

INTIMACY AND SEXUALITY IN OLD AGE

Readings:

1. L. Eugene Thomas, "Sexuality and Aging: Essential Vitamin or Popcorn," The Gerontologist, Vol. 22, No. 3, 1982 (on library reserve).

Film: Aging & Sexuality

DEATH, DYING WIDOWHOOD AND SUICIDE

Readings:

1. Controversy 4 in Moody text, "Should People Have the Choice to End Their Lives?"

AGING & THE FUTURE  (time permitting)

Readings:

To be identified.

LAST DAY OF CLASS/EXAM #2
1/23/03
 

Notes:

1. There is no provision for extra credit.
2. The exams and the paper are equally weighted.
3. e-mail is not a substitute for class instruction and discussion.
4. The discussion of any social behavior or sociological issue from any perspective is appropriate in this class, subject only to the application of reason and empirical observation.