DEPARTMENT OF EXTENDED LEARNING

GERONTOLOGY CORRESPONDENCE

SOC-4083-002C

2007-2008 © SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY

 

Instructor:  Evelyn Mercer

 

Catalog Description:

 

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the theories of aging, the way the aging individual relates to the social systems, adjustment patterns of the aging and societal issues confronting older Americans.

 

Required Text:

 

Hooyman, N.R. & Klyak, H.A. (2008).  Social Gerontology: A multidisciplinary perspective (8th ed.).  Boston:  Allyn & Bacon.

 

McGowin, D. (1993).  Living in the labyrinth.  San Francisco:  Elder Books.

 

Course Goals and Objectives:

           

            Upon completion of this course the student shall:

1.     Understand and apply the various theories of aging

2.     Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the biological, psychological and sociological changes that take place in later life.

3.     Identify adjustment patterns in the lifestyles of the aged.

4.     Identify and reach some solutions for various societal issues which confront the elderly.

 

Course Requirements:

 

1.     Answer discussion questions found in the PowerPoints.  There are 3 questions per chapter. These must be turned in using the assignment feature at the end of each Unit.

1.     Interview an older person and write a case study of that person.  The outline for this is found at the end of this syllabus.  This must be typed using Microsoft Word 2003 or 2007 and turned into Blackboard before taking Exam 2.

2.     Read Living in the Labyrinth and write a critique.  The critique should be typed and about 2 pages in length.  It should include a short summary of the book and what you learned from it.  This must be completed and turned in to Blackboard before Exam 4.

3.     Write a short (5-7 pages of body) research paper on some area of aging that is of interest to you.  This should be in APA style and will need to be submitted to the TURNITIN link on Blackboard.  At TURNITIN, it will be checked for plagerism (you can check it yourself before submitting, if you would like).  If a significant amount of the work has been copied without proper documentation, then the student will automatically receive a failing grade for the paper. Submit before Exam 5.

 

All assignments must be turned in on Blackboard.  Please email me when you have turned in any assignment. See course for more details.

 

Exams:

 

There will be five 50 question online exams given.  There is no need for an exam proctor. Exams will consist primarily of multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank questions. Gain access to exams by following the instructions within the course.  There will be sample quizzes over each chapter available on Blackboard.  These will not be graded but will be a reflection of the unit exams which will also be on Blackboard.

 

 

Grading:                                                                                   Grading Scale:

 

            Exam 1 (Chap 1-4)         50 points                                              423 – 470          A

            Exam 2 (Chap 5-7          50 points                                              376 – 422          B

            Exam 3 (Chap 8-11)       50 points                                              329 – 375          C

            Exam 4 (Chap 12-14)     50 points                                              282 – 328          D

            Exam 5 (Chap 15-17)     50 points                                              Below 282         F

            Case Study                   20 points         

            Book Critique                50 points

            Paper                           50 points

            Questions                     100 points

                                    Total     470 points

 

 

 

Outline for Case Study: (This should be typed and in paragraph form and should be used as a GUIDE).

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION:

 

                Name:

 

                Address:

                               

                Birth date:

 

                Religion:

 

                Occupation:

 

                Marital Status:

 

HISTORY:

               

                Relationship with parents, brothers, sisters:

 

                Education

 

                Employment History:

 

                Health:

 

                Family Life:

                                If married, how they met their spouse, number of children, where their children are now.

 

                Unusual events in their lives:

 

                Most exciting time of their lives:

 

                Hobbies:

 

                Any words of wisdom: