Courses of Instruction

GERONTOLOGY (GTY-Arts and Science; Department of Sociology and Gerontology)

MPF, MPT 154 Aging in American Society (3)

Overview of the processes of aging. Emphasis placed on ‘typical' aspects of aging from three perspectives: the aging individual, social context of aging, and societal responses to an aging population IIC.

MPT 260 Global Aging (3)

Course integrates bio-demographic and socio-cultural approaches to the study of global aging by drawing on cross-cultural quantitative data and qualitative ethnographic records. Prerequisite: GTY 154.

MPT 318 Sociology of Aging and the Life Course (3)

Sociology provides a unique perspective on and significant contributions to the field of gerontology. This course uses sociological theories, perspectives, and conceptual frameworks to analyze aging-related social issues. Examines the social forces that shape the diverse experiences of aging for individuals. Greatest emphasis is placed on structural issues such as age stratification, the life course, and societal aging as a force in social change. Prerequisite: GTY 154. Cross-listed with SOC 318.

335 Disability and Aging (3)

This course examines the experiences of disability and aging from a life course perspective, with an emphasis on the social construction of both disability and aging and their interaction. Identifies and examines issues of disability definition and measurement; individual and societal responses to disability and aging; and the outcomes of these responses for individuals, families, communities and society. Prerequisite(s): GTY 154.

356 Biopsychosocial Aspects of Health and Aging (3)

Employing the biopsychosocial approach, this course provides an overview of biological theories and demography of aging; provides practical information about the aging of biological systems; explores functional health, health promotion, and quality of life; and discusses optimal aging. Prerequisite: GTY 154.

357 Medical Sociology (3)

Sociological study of illness, patients, medical professionals, and problems inherent in the delivery of health care services. Prerequisite: SOC 151, SOC 152 or GTY 154. Cross-listed with SOC 357.

365 Social Policy and Programs in Gerontology (3)

Provides practical information about working in programs serving older people. Topics include social policy and old age, health policy and programs, federal economic reform, grantsmanship, program planning and coordination, and professions in the field of aging. Prerequisite: GTY 154.

375 Aging, Self and Society (3)

This course surveys a continuum of perspectives on self and society as they apply to aging and age-transitions across the life course. The course draws upon the symbolic interactionist tradition as an orienting perspective, and on lifespan developmental psychology to examine cognitive and social-emotional development in later life. Prerequisite(s): GTY 154.

MPC 440G Capstone Field Experience in Gerontology (1-16; maximum 16)

Through field placement and a weekly seminar, students engage with others as they discuss their field site organization and professional challenges. Credit/no-credit only. Maximum of four hours may be counted toward the gerontology minor. Prerequisite: GTY 154, three additional credit hours in gerontology, and permission of instructor.

460/560 Selected Topics in Gerontology (2-4; maximum 10)

Draws upon current literature and research for in-depth consideration of selected special topics in gerontology. Prerequisite: GTY 154.

MPT 463/563 Gender and Aging (3)

Examination of how gender constructions shape the aging process, with particular focus on how various social, psychological, physical, and cultural factors affect men, women, and transgendered persons differently as they grow older. Cross-listed with SOC 463/563 and WMS 463. Prerequisite: (463) GTY 154; (563) GTY 602 or permission of instructor.

MPT 466/566 Later Life Families (3)

Examination of family kinship patterns during mid and later life. Topics include relations with romantic partners, adult children, siblings, and other kin, as well as widowhood, grandparenthood, friendships, and policy issues impacting mid and later life families. Prerequisite: (466) GTY 154; (566) GTY 602 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with FSW 466/566.

MPT 472/572 Race, Ethnicity and Aging (3)

Examines aging among U.S. minority and ethnic groups. Topics include theoretical perspectives, demographics, economics, health, social support, public policy and service delivery systems, and the role of culture in adaptation to aging. Prerequisite: (472) GTY 154; (572) GTY 602 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with BWS 472.

MPT 476/576 Environment and Aging (3)

Examines the changing environmental experience of the older person from several theoretical perspectives. Topics include aging in urban and rural places, age-integrated and age-segregated settings, housing options and housing policy in the U.S., design and supportive technologies, and the cultural meaning of place. Prerequisite: (476) GTY 154; (576) GTY 602 or permission of instructor. Cross-listed with ATH 476/576.

478/578 Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Chronic Illness (4)

Examines racial/ethnic disparities in chronic diseases through lecture modules and secondary data analysis of large-scale survey data. Lecture topics include biological, psychological, and social aspects of disease; clinical and self-management of the disease; and ethnic/racial disparities in health and health care access. Prerequisite(s): GTY 154 or SOC 151, and STA 261, SOC 262; OR GTY 602 or permission of instructor.

485/585 Long-Term Care in an Aging Society (3)

Examines the major components of long-term care, critiques current approaches to delivering long-term care, examines future challenges, and discusses solutions for an aging society. Prerequisite: (485) GTY 154; (585) GTY 602 or permission of instructor.

602 Perspectives in Gerontology (3)

Overview of theories and major issues in social gerontology including the development of the field.

603 Psychology of Aging in Everyday Life (3)

Discusses major conceptual approaches to the psychological study of adult development in the domains of cognition, personality, and social-emotional functioning, using the theoretical framework of life-span developmental psychology. Explores strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of important empirical studies and their implications for theories of normative and successful aging.

605 Gerontology Proseminar A,B,C,D (1)

Personal, academic, and professional development of MGS students. Exposure to faculty research and mentoring; external educational opportunities; portfolio development; formation of a collaborative writing group. A and C offered fall semester; B and D are offered spring semester.

608 The Logic of Inquiry (4)

Presents detailed information about, and experience with, aspects of research design in social gerontology including conceptualization, measurement, sampling, analysis, and reporting. Examines inductive and deductive approaches to research questions and the use of national electronic data sets. Prerequisite(s): Admission into the MGS program or permission of the instructor. Concurrent Course(s): GTY 602, GTY 605A, GTY 667.

609 Qualitative Research Methods (3)

Provides an introduction to the paradigmatic assumptions of qualitative research methods and strategies of data collection, analysis, and writing. Focuses on research questions and issues in gerontology.

611 Linking Research and Practice (3)

Application of principles of research methods to agency-based evaluation of programs. Focuses on the uses and design of program evaluation research, including program initiation, process evaluation, and outcome assessment. Includes a component on grant-writing and budgeting for evaluation activities. Prerequisites: GTY 602, GTY 608.

615 Readings in Gerontology (1-6)

Directed readings on selected topics in gerontology, for pass/fail grade.

620 Supervised Research or Reading on Selected Topics in Gerontology (1-12; maximum 12)

Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.

641 Organizations and the Aging Enterprise (3)

Weekly seminar to prepare graduate students for the practicum. Topics include types of aging-related organizations; organizational theory and behavior; organizational analysis; and professionalism (e.g., goal setting, ethical issues).

666 Aspects of Long-Term Care: Health (3)

Health and quality of care, medical ethics, environmental health, and delivery of health services in a long-term care facility are addressed. Prerequisite: GTY 602 or permission of instructor.

667 Policy and Politics of Aging (3)

Focuses on major policy areas including income security, health care, long-term care, housing, and social services. Concurrent course(s): GTY 602, GTY 608, GTY 605.

676 Program Management in Aging (3)

Analysis of administrative responsibilities in programs and services in the field of aging. Prerequisite: GTY 602 or GTY 667 or permission of instructor.

700 Critical Inquiry In Gerontology (1 to 6)

Guided independent research required as a culminating, integrative experience for all MGS students. Students will design and execute a project that involves either original data collection, secondary data analysis, or critical analysis of policies and programs in the field.

702 Knowledge Construction & Advanced Theory (3)

Examines the epistemological and ideological underpinnings of knowledge construction and explores the reciprocal relationship between theories and dominant research questions with particular emphasis on theory construction in gerontology. Builds on and reexamines issues and topics discussed in GTY 602 and GTY 608.

705 Communicating Gerontological Knowledge (3)

Explores strategies for communicating gerontological knowledge and provides practical experience with these strategies. Addresses the teaching of gerontology in traditional classroom settings as well as making presentations to various audiences, and for various purposes, in applied and policy settings.

708 Quantitative Methods and Statistics (3-4)

Explores basic designs of survey and experimental research in aging. Discusses issues of measurement, sampling, causality, the concept of the sampling distribution as the basis for inferential statistics, and introductory and intermediate statistical techniques for continuous and categorical data. Prerequisite(s): GTY 608 or permission of the instructor.

709 Advanced Qualitative Research & Methods (4)

Builds on GTY 609 by focusing on the major genres in qualitative research, including participant observation, organizational case studies, phenomenological and narrative interpretation, participatory action research, and qualitative evaluation/policy research. Stresses practical mastery of strategies and skills in particular genres, according to students' dissertation interests.

718 Statistical Modeling in Gerontology (3)

Focuses on statistical modeling techniques for continuous and categorical outcomes in aging research. Examines multivariate techniques based on the generalized linear model with opportunities for application using large scale gerontological datasets with special focus on longitudinal data analysis. Prerequisite(s): GTY 708 or permission of instructor.

720 Individual Investigation (1-6; maximum 6)

Advanced research on selected topics and problems in gerontology.

740 Graduate Practicum in Gerontology (1-12; 8 minimum)

Field experience for graduate students interested in research experience or applied aspects of gerontology. Students assigned to a program involving research activities, service provision, or administration of programs related to the aging and aged populations. Prerequisite: GTY 602 and permission of instructor.

745 Sociology of Aging (3)

Examines the sociological perspective, its contributions to social gerontology, and its application to issues facing an aging society. Reviews the role of major sociological theories and frameworks (such as structural functionalism, exchange, and conflict theories) in the development of social gerontology.

747 Demography & Epidemiology of Aging (3)

Explores fertility, mortality, and global aging; distribution of health and illness within a population; age-based migration and its impact on locations of origin and destination; variations in health and mortality by gender, race, ethnicity, and social class; impact of health and mortality patterns for individuals, society and public policy.

750 Readings in Gerontology (1-6; 6 maximum)

Directed readings on selected topics in gerontology for doctoral students. Credit/No Credit only.

767 Policy Analysis In An Aging Society (3)

Provides a framework for understanding the development and implementation of public policy. Examines major policy debates, critiques current policy efforts, and makes recommendations for how policies and programs can be improved.

850 Doctoral Dissertation Research (1-6; minimum 16, maximum 60)

Prerequisite: successful completion of comprehensive examination

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