Professor Gina Hansen

GERONTOLOGY 302 (10228) PSYCHOLOGY 374 (30194)

PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING

Fall Semester 2010

16-week Class

Wednesdays  5:30 - 8:35 pm – 3 Units – Room D203

Instructor:                  Gina Hansen

                                    Office: Davies Hall, 3rd floor, adjunct office-

                                    Conference Room D

                                    Telephone: 484-8512

                                    e-mail: hanseng@arc.losrios.edu

                                    Office hours:

Text:                           Aging, the Individual, and Society by Susan Hillier & Georgia    M. Barrow, 9^th Ed.

Overview:

This course is an introduction to gerontology.  The physical, psychological, and social

aspects of the aging process are covered, along with the interactions between the elderly

and the rest of society.

Objectives:

To introduce the field of gerontology and develop an understanding of a sensitivity to

the aging process.   At the completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Describe the interdisciplinary nature of gerontology, the changing population demographics and some of the effects these population changes will have on society;
• Evaluate the commonly held myths and ageist attitudes held by society about the elderly and their current and historical impacts on the image of older people;
• Explain the continuity of adult development;
• Evaluate the normal and abnormal physical changes that accompany aging;
• Discuss how lifestyle choices affect the aging process;
• Evaluate the events that affect retirement income and access to medical care and housing;
• Explain the issues associated with care giving and the old-old and the concept of aging;
• Analyze how ethnic diversity influences the aging process.

Format:

This course will consist of lectures, class participation, discussion, observations,  internet assignment, and appropriate multimedia materials.

Expectations:

Students are expected to:

• Attend all class sessions.  Three absences may result in being dropped from the class.
• Read the assigned material in the text prior to each class session and be prepared to participate in class discussion.  Students are responsible for assigned readings as lectures will supplement, but no reiterate, assigned materials.  Lecture notes will be posted online each week and may be accessed at: http://ic.arc.losrios.edu./~hanseng

Exams:

A total of four exams will be given--three mid-terms and a cumulative final.  Each of the three mid-term exams will cover material in the text and the corresponding lecture and discussion.  The exams will consist of multiple choice and short-essay questions.  Each exam, including the final, will be worth a possible 50 points.  Each of the three mid-term exams will be distributed in class, and students will have 72 hours (Saturday midnight) to email the ANSWERS ONLY to the instructor (hanseng@arc.losrios.edu).   The final exam will be distributed in the last class session, and students will have 24 hours only to submit ANSWERS ONLY to the instructor (hanseng@arc.losrios.edu). When answers for all exams are emailed to the instructor, please indicate on the email subject line: "Gero 302 Exam".  Also, be sure your name is the first thing I see.  I will reply with "Exam received".  If you do not receive this message by the afternoon of the Monday following the due date, I did not receive your exam, and you need to contact me.

Only three exam grades will be counted toward the final grade.  If you take all three mid-terms and are satisfied with your grade, the  final exam need not be taken.  If you missed a mid-term, you must take the final; if you are not satisfied with your grade, you have the option of taking the final in an attempt to improve your grade.  If you take all four exams, only your three highest grades will be counted.  You cannot lose points by taking the final.

No late exams will be accepted and no make-up exams will be given.

Assignments:

Each student will be required to interview a person aged 75 years or older (not a relative), write a paper (6-8 pages, typed, double spaced) summarizing this interview and relating information gathered to at least three concepts or theories on aging discussed in class that lead you to think this person is aging successfully.  These theories/concepts must be clearly identified in your paper.  (Due Nov. 17, 2010).  A handout and instructions outlining this assignment are available at the course website: (http://ic.arc.losrios.edu/~hanseng   This assignment is worth a possible 50 points.

Each student will be required to do research on the internet and summarize (not cut and paste or copy) the findings in a 4-8 page, double-spaced, typed paper on one of the following topics:   a) Life-long Learning;  b) Aging and the Brain; or c) Aging and Exercise.

Be sure to cite and list resources used. This paper is worth a possible 10 points and is due on Dec. 1, 2010.

Plagiarized work will result in a zero grade.  See:  http://wps.prenhall.com/hss_understand_plagiarism_1/0,6622,427064-main,00.html   to view more details about Plagiarism, or go to "What is Plagiarism Tuturial" on the class website (http://ic.arc.losrios.edu/~hanseng).  

Extra Credit:

There are several opportunities to gain extra credit.  All are optional.

• Reaction Paper to Video Presentation—A two-page (typed, double spaced) personal reaction paper (not a summary) can be turned in the next class session following the film.  Papers that are too brief or with inadequate content will not be given points.  Each paper will be worth a possible three points with a limit of two papers (possible six points).
• Reaction paper to News Article Related to Aging –a two-page (typed, double spaced) personal reaction paper (not a summary) can be turned in for extra credit.  Papers that are too brief or with inadequate content will not be given points.  Each paper will be worth a possible three  points with a limit of two papers (possible six points).
• Class Presentation of News or Journal Articles – you can earn an additional three points for letting your colleagues know what you have learned or discovered in news or journal articles.  Presentations should be between five and ten minutes.  Limit two presentations (six possible points).
• Each exam will have an extra-credit question.  You will almost always receive some credit for attempting to answer the question.

All extra credit must be turned in by Dec. 8, 2010.

Grading:

Grades will be determined strictly by points—so you are responsible for your own grade.  Points are distributed as follows:

3 Exams =                                150 points                                           90% = A

Interview Paper =                        50 points                                           80% = B

Internet Results =                       10 points                                           70% = C

Attendance =                              15 points                                           60% = D

Class Participation =                      5 points                                         <60% = F                   

Total Possible Points                  230 points                                           

GER 302/PSY 374 – PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING
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Class Schedule – Fall 2010