HS 4500 - Social Gerontology

Prerequisite(s): None.
Students will take a look at how their role as a human service professional links directly to the well-being of copious senior citizens. This course will review the most relevant challenges we face as an aging society. At no other time in the world’s history have we experienced the sheer numbers of older adults living today and the expectations that a large majority of Americans will live longer than we have previously experienced. Students will focus on how social scientists build knowledge and understanding through theory development and testing, and introduce the evolution of theoretical thought from a social science perspective. The major issues affecting an aging society are addressed, including how theoretical perspectives predict how society may change as larger numbers of people are classified in older age groups. The life course perspective, and the implications of early life events in affecting later life decisions are addressed, as are cultural differences in intergenerational exchanges. Credit(s): 3