This course is an advanced introduction to the study of aging and the aged from a sociological perspective. The course focuses on what may be considered foundations: the demographic aspects of aging: age status as a dimension of social organization; aging in modern society; conceptual approaches to aging; methodological problems, age stratification and several other topics. In addition, selected issues and questions in aging are examined as time permits. There are two examinations including the final exam.
This course can be taken at either the 400 or 600 level, i.e., for undergraduate or graduate credit, respectively. For those students enrolled at the 400 level, a class project will consist of a short empirical paper or participation in a panel discussion. For those students enrolled at the 600 level, there will be additional assignments consisting of two formal class presentations. See last page of syllabus for more detail regarding grading.
This syllabus should be considered tentative. Additions and deletions will be made from time to time. Also, some materials for this course will be placed on the WWW. You will be advised of materials available on my home page.
Texts and Other Reading
Leslie Morgan and Suzanne Kunkel, Aging: The Social Context, Pine Forge, 2001
Fred Pampel, Aging, Social Inequality, and Public Policy, Pine Forge, 1998.
Other readings on library reserve, distributed to class or available on blackboard.
Schedule of Topics
1. The Sociological Perspective on Aging
2. The Demography of Aging
3. Methodological Issues in Aging Research
4. The Social Integration of the Aged in Society
5. Conceptual Approaches and Theory Fragments
6. The Economics of Aging
7. Retirement and Social Policy
8. Health & health Care
9. Politics and Social Policy
10. Variation in the Aging Experience
Introduction, administrative issues and overview of the course
Aging as a social problem and area of scientific study
Film: Myths and Realities of Aging
Second Week: The Sociological Perspective on Aging
Age Status and Social Structure
Cohorts and Generations
The Importance of Age in Contemporary Society
Readings
1. Chapters 1 and 6 of Morgan and Kunkel
2. Explore the Administration on Aging on WWW (http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov).
See especially /aoa/pages/orgchart.gif and /aoa/stats/profile/
(630 students identify presentation topics)
Third Week: The Demography of Aging
The Demography of Aging: Individual and Societal Perspectives
Life Expectancy in the Future, The Social Implications of an Aging
Population
Film: Peege
Readings
1. Chapter 3 of Morgan and Kunkel
(430 students provide paper or panel topics)
Fourth Week: Theory and Methodological Issues in Aging Research
Readings
Theory and science
Age, period and cohort effects
1. Chapter 2 of Morgan and Kunkel
Film: Number Our Days
Fifth and Sixth Weeks: The Social Integration of the Aged in Society
Exam 1 about here (exact day of exam will be announced in class)
Culture and Modernization
Roles for the elderly in post modern society
Readings
1. Chapters 7 of Morgan and Kunkel
(630 students provide drafts of presentations)
Seventh Week: Conceptual Approaches and Theory Fragments
Trying to understand the aging process and the aged as a social category.
Readings
2. Bruce W. Lemon, Vern L. Bengston and James A. Peterson, "An Exploration of the Activity Theory of Aging: Activity Types and Life Satisfaction among In-Movers to a Retirement Community," Journal of Gerontology, Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 511-523 (distributed in class).
Eighth Week: The Economics of Aging in America
Readings
1. Chapter 9 of Morgan and Kunkel
2. Chapters 1 and 2 of Pampel
Student presentations begin
Ninth Week: Retirement and Social Policy
Readings
1. Chapter 8 of Morgan and Kunkel
2. Chapters 3 through 6 of Pampel
Tenth Week: Health and Health Care
1. Chapter 10 of Morgan and Kunkel
Film: Health Care in the U.S.
Eleventh and Twelfth Week: The Politics of Aging and Social Policy
Readings
1. Chapter 11 of Morgan and Kunkel
Thirteenth Week: Variation of the Aging Experience
Readings
Reading will be assigned
Fourteenth Week: Future Issues in Aging
Readings
1. Chapter 12 of Morgan and Kunkel
Exam 2 will be given during the second half of the last class.
Each of the two exams is curved by adding the difference between the highest possible and highest actual score to each grade. Hence, someone always receives a perfect score. The curve is calculated separately for 430 and 630 level students so that undergraduates are in no way disadvantaged by the presence of graduate students.
Each grade is worth a total of 50 points (2 exams and a short paper or panel presentation for 430 students or 2 exams and two presentations for 630 students). Hence 430 and 630 students may earn a maximum of 150 and 200 points respectively. An additional 10 extra credit points can be earned by attending all graduate student and panel presentations and posting short critique of graduate student presentations on BLACKBOARD. There are no other provisions for extra credit.
Graduate student presentations will be posted on BLACKBOARD as power point presentations.
FINAL EXAM AND PAPERS DUE AT THE END OF LAST SCHEDULED CLASS
DO NOT CALL THE SOCIOLOGY OFFICE FOR FINAL GRADES. THIS INFORMATION
IS NOT PERMITTED TO BE GIVEN OVER THE PHONE.