Chabot College
Fall 2002
Removed Fall 2010
Course Outline for Sociology 31
DEPENDENCY IN OLD AGE
Catalog Description:
31 – Dependency in Old Age
3 units
This course is a study of the aged and the disabled from a multidisciplinary
perspective, but focusing upon the social factors and stress that impact upon the
dependent person in U.S. society. It includes an examination of the loss of physical
and intellectual function, disease, institutionalization, and the looking glass self.
The goal of the course is to make these frequently invisible populations not only
visible but better understood. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
describe the major physiological changes which occur from middle
adulthood to old age;
describe the common needs and adaptations that occur as a result of physical
changes that accompany aging;
define ageism and discrimination in relationship to the role it plays in
determining how we view the elderly and the disabled;
design a program and activities in keeping with the integrity and needs of
adults who have intact intellect despite disability;
explain the role of the looking glass self and its impact upon the self-concept
of elders and the disabled;
discuss and dilineate aging as one point along the continuim of human
development;
analyze the role of American character in determining our views of
independence vs. dependency.
Course Content:
1.
Aging as part of the life cycle
a.
Demographics
Chabot College
Course Outline for Sociology 31
Fall 2002
Page 2
Course Content (Cont'd):
2.
3.
4.
5.
b.
Aging and disability
c.
Social networks and dependence
d.
Stereotypes of the aged
e.
Stereotypes of the disabled
American characteristics
a.
Independence vs. dependence
b.
Adult socialization and work
c.
Subculture variations in minority elders and the disabled
d.
Stress and the social environment
e.
Coping mechanisms
Aging and disability
a.
The disabled in society
b.
Physical disability vs. cognitive disability and the elderly
c.
The developmentally disabled elderly
d.
Attitudes of health care providers
The social world of the elderly and disabled
a.
Roles and family relationships
b.
Volunteer caregiving vs. paid caregiving
c.
Societal support mechanisms
d.
Institutionalized settings
e.
Isolation
f.
Death and dying
Societal response to the needs of the elderly and disabled
a.
Legislation and federal programs
b.
Community resources
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lecture
Guided discussion
Small group activities and presentations
Audio-visual materials,
Guest speakers from community groups and agencies
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Outside written assignment on images of the frail/dependent elder
Chabot College
Course Outline for Sociology 31
Fall 2002
Page 3
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Students (Cont'd):
b.
c.
d.
e.
2.
Group assignment on developing an adaptive product to assist the
dependent elder
Outside assignment in which the student must be fed a meal by a
significant other
Interview a cognitively intact, physically frail elder
Written critique of a poem, essay, short story or video that deals
with issues related to dependent minority elders
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Grades A-F, based upon the quality of student work demonstrated in
quizzes, midterm, final, individual and group assignments, oral
presentations and in-class activities
b.
Clarity and effectiveness in presenting ideas during class discussion
of course content
c.
Critical thinking in demonstrated assessment of what it means to be
old in contemporary U.S. society based upon the course content
Special Student Materials:
None.
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Aging in a Changing Society, J.A. Thorson, Belmont. Wadsworth Publishing, 2001,
or latest edition.
The One Hundred Penny Box, S. B. Mathis, New York, Puffin NewBery Library,
2001, or latest edition.
Ethnicity & the Dementias, G. Yeo, D. Gallagher-Thompson, Washington, D.C.,
2001, or latest edition.
Tf:A;/WORD.SOC.31.DOC
Revised-2-5-2002