Courses

Gero/CTA 205 Adult Development & Aging (undergraduate only) 

This course provides students with an overview of adult lifespan development from a psychological and communicative perspective as well as an introduction to aging studies overall.  The course is offered as an elective to students in BA programs and to students in gerontology areas.

Gero 4/500 Issues in Gerontology & Aging Studies

This course provides students with an overview of the field of gerontology, issues and research in aging as well as an introduction to careers in aging.  Course includes basics of reading and using gerontological research.  The course is offered as an elective in select programs and as part of the gerontology and aging studies programs. 

Gero 4/501 Health Aspects of Aging

This course is designed to develop and expand knowledge and skill to understand and address contemporary health issues in aging.  Undergraduate prerequisite is Gero/CTA 205. 

Gero 4/502 Social Gerontology   

Social gerontology is the study of the nonphysical aspects of human aging and includes the psychological, social psychological and social aspects of aging.  Aging is a multi-faceted process that covers multiple academic disciplines.  Social gerontology integrates scientific knowledge about social policy and professional practice into the knowledge base created by basic social scientific research.  Course includes a review of principles of gerontological research.  Undergraduate prerequisite is Gero/CTA 205. 

Gero 4/503 Mental Health and Aging

This course will provide students with a comprehensive study of mental health issues associated with aging. Undergraduate prerequisite is Gero/CTA 205. 

Gero 4/504 Faith Development & Later Life

This course introduces students to issues, concerns and research in the spiritual development of individuals as they age.  The course supplements sociological, biological and psychological theories of lifespan development and explores issues of aging and ministry.  Undergraduate prerequisite is Gero/CTA 205. 

Gero/Eng/Hist 4/511 History and Literature of Aging

This course explores historical, social and literary depictions/understandings of aging in Western and non-Western cultures with an eye toward a richer understanding of what it means to age in the world today.

Gero/Eng 4/512 Life Review, Autobiography and Creative Non-Fiction

This course explores the theoretical concept and value of life review while researching and developing techniques in the writing of autobiography and creative non-fiction.

Gero/CTA 5/413 Aging and Communication

This course examines lifespan communication issues including:  aging and media, marketing to older adults, lifespan language and communication development, caregiver/receiver communication and intergenerational relationship development.

Gero 4/514 Aging Policy, Programs & Services

This course surveys contemporary policies, programs and services for an aging population.

Gero 4/515 & Bus 415 Retirement & Lifespan Financial Issues

This course explores the impacts of an aging society on financial planning and retirement.   Students will study in-depth issues in lifespan financial planning.

Gero/Bio 4/517 Aging and the Brain

This course explores the biological development of the human brain throughout the lifespanand examines the biological changes underlying common age-related neuropathies. 
 
Gero 4/518 Nutrition & the Older Adult
 
This course examines in depth, the importance of nutrition across the lifespan with specific attention to the particular nutritional needs of older adults.

Gero/HHP 5/416 Health Programming and Later Life
 
This course explores specific health needs of aging individuals and assists students in identifying techniques and strategies used in developing programs for the older adult.  The evaluation of programs and the effect upon the older adult will be investigated. 
 
Gero 4/519 Death, Dying & Trauma

This course examines the processes, theories and responses to individual and collective trauma, the processes and tasks of dying and the issues of death and bereavement.
 
Gero 498/598 Special Topics in Aging

This course examines special issues in aging and gerontology.  Topics are specific to the needs of students in the topic area and expertise of the instructor.
 
Gero 5/499 Practicum

The practicum requires students to conduct programmatic research and implement an aging services project in their area of professional interest.  Students must interview with and gain permission from the program director before enrolling.