Gerontology: Policymaking and services (5/10ECTS) ÖLD102F
14th November to 16th December 2011
On campus week in Reykjavik 5-9th December
University of Iceland, building Lögberg, L-204.
MAP: http://www.hi.is/is/skolinn/vesturbaer_vatnsmyri_hringbraut
A. Programme NordMaG students (10 ECTS)
B. Programme Nordplus Gerontology Network students (5 ECTS)
For all
Aims and contents:
The course will present gerontology as a multi-professional discipline with an emphasis on social gerontology. The
main concepts and research methods will be introduced. Formal and informal care will be discussed. Personal
meaning and well-being in the social contexts of later adulthood and old age will be explored and methods to
enhance personal meaning will be introduced. Emphasis will be placed on deepening student’s understanding by
helping them become more adept at working with other professions on elderly welfare issues.
Learning outcomes:
On completion of the course students will:
 Have gained knowledge and understanding of social services for older people in the Nordic
Countries, problems and challenges.
 Be able to identify and explain concepts and theories within social gerontology and how they can
be applied in research.
 Have extended and deepened their understanding of a chosen area within social gerontology and
have a systematic understanding of the current findings in that field.
 Have deepened their understanding of the life course approach and social integration in the field
of gerontology.
 Have gained the ability to discuss their research in connection with the academic discourse and
theories in the field.
 Be able to present a written summary of gerontological research.
 Be able to understand the importance of gerontology as a multi-professional discipline.
Mode of Study:
Lectures, group works, individual assignments, site visits and social programme during the intensive on campus
week. Optima virtual environment will be used during the course.
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Assessment:
Individual and group assignments, participation to lectures.
Assignments:
A. For NordMaG students
Before the on campus week:
1. Student groups from the three countries prepare presentations on Nordic welfare system and social services for
older people in their homeland. The presentations of each group will be on Monday.
2. Students are expected to read articles connected to lectures and the workshops, and write short notes of their core
content (will be added to Optima and discussed during the lectures).
3. Students read articles for the Journal Club/ Group Discussion on Tuesday.
4. Students prepare a short presentation of their Masters Thesis.
During the course:
Group work by Sanna Read
Group work social services for older people in the Nordic Countries, problems, challenges
After the on campus week:
An essay/lecture diary about contents of the course connected to research articles.
B. For Nordplus students
Before the on campus week:
1. Student groups from the three countries prepare short presentations on social services for older people in their
homeland. The presentations of each group will be on Monday.
During the course:
Group work by Sanna Read
Group work social services for older people in the Nordic Countries, problems, challenges
After the on campus week:
An essay/lecture diary of the contents of the course
On campus week programme
For both groups expect otherwise stated:
MONDAY 5th December
Venue: building Lögberg, L-204
Policymaking – services to the elderly
9.00-9.30
Welcoming words
Steinunn Hrafnsdóttir, Dean of the Faculty of Social Work, UI
Course Introduction
NordMaG board: Sigurveig H. Sigurdardottir, Virpi Uotinen, Agneta Malmgren Fänge.
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9.30-10.30
Evidence based research - policymaking
Halldór S. Gudmundsson, MSW, assistant professor, UI
10.30-11.00
Coffee break
11.00-12.00
Shaping home care in Europe
Pálmi V. Jónsson, MD, professor, UI
12.00 -13.00
Lunch break
13.00-16.00
Student presentations: Social services for older people in three Nordic countries.
Social programme:
Get together at the University of Iceland after the presentations. Meeting with Icelandic
NordMaG students.
TUESDAY 6th December
A. for NordMaG students:
8.00-11.30
Journal Club / Group discussion based on student assignment.
B. for all students:
11.30 – 13.00
Self-rated health in old age
Tiina Mari Lyyra, JyU
13.00 – 13.45
Lunch
13.45 -16.30
Thesis seminar. NordMaG students present their master´s thesis. Resource persons:
Sigurdardottir, Uotinen, Fänge, Lyyra.
16.30
Trip to the Blue Lagoon (Optional)
WEDNESDAY, 7th December
Generations and social change: integration, interdependence, or segregation?
9.00-14.00
Generations and social change: integration, interdependence, or segregation?
Gunhild Hagestad, Professor /Senior Researcher NOVA/Norwegian Social Research
Lunch break
15.00
Field visit to The Geriatric Department of the University Hospital.
Steinunn K. Jónsdóttir SW, MA.
THURSDAY, 8th December
Personal meaning, well-being and social context
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9.00-17.00
Personal meaning, well-being and social context – a life course perspective (lectures and
work shop)
Sanna Read, Centre for Population Studies London School of Hygiene and Tropical
Medicine/JyU
Lunch break (one hour)
17.00
Visit to Vibeke Þ. Þorbjörnsdóttir, NordMaG student
FRIDAY, 9th December
Social services in the welfare state
9.00-10.00
The pension system
Kolbeinn Stefánsson, Adjunct Lecturer, UI
10.15-11.30
Lund and Reykjavik 80+ study: Research methods and main social results
Torbjörn Svensson, associate professor, LU and Jón Eyjólfur Jónsson, MD, UI
11.30-12.00
Groupwork: Students reflections and discussion of formal and informal services for older
people in the Nordic Countries, problems and challenges.
12.00-13.00
Lunch break
13.00-14.30
Groupwork cont.
14.30-15.30
Summaries and conclusions
Sigurveig H. Sigurdardottir, Torbjörn Svensson, Virpi Uotinen
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