University of Michigan
Memory, Aging, and Expressive Arts
Winter 2014
Registration Information:
ARTDES 398-002/ ARTDES 501-001/ SW 513-001
Days/Times/ Room:
Wednesday 1-4 pm Room 1068, Art & Architecture
Friday 1-2:30 pm Room 2147, Art & Architecture
Lead Instructor:
Professor Anne Mondro
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:
School of Art & Design 1010
Wednesday & Friday before class or by appointment
ammondro@umich.edu
Co-Instructor& Course Coordinator:
Elaine Reed
Email:
elainere@med.umich.edu
Contributing Professors:
Nancy Barbas
Bruno Giordani
Laura Rice-Oeschger
Scott Roberts
Beth Spencer
nbarbas@umich.edu
giordani@med.umich.edu
lerice@med.umich.edu
jscottr@umich.edu
elizspen@med.umich.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Uniquely engaging U-M academic institutions and the U-M Health System, this interdisciplinary
course will build an understanding and awareness of the complexities of memory loss and
introduce the use of the expressive arts. Students will meet with specialists in neurology, public
health, social work, and the arts to learn about the scientific basis of memory and dementia, the
societal basis of dementia, and institutional projects to support individuals with memory
impairment. Through art sessions with adults with memory loss, students will explore the
potential of the arts to serve as an outlet for expression, build key life skills and learn from
community members through shared experiences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Anticipated learning outcomes include gaining a holistic perspective of aging and memory loss,
exploring the benefits of creativity, and utilizing the expressive arts to improve one’s quality of
life. Students will learn to design and facilitate projects for a person with memory loss as well as
develop key communication and life skills for working with this population. Through the use of
expressive arts, students will build relationships and foster meaningful interactions with
memory-impaired adults.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Students will be exposed to and trained in various forms of expressive art to prepare for
engaging with adults with memory loss. Partnering with U-M Geriatric Center’s Mild Memory
Loss Program, Wisdom Keepers, students will be paired with community members to create
together. The creative experience will be celebrated in a public exhibition/performance to be
held at Matthaie Botanical Gardens.
1
COURSEWORK
Undergraduate coursework requirements include:
 Written responses to the following topics
o Professor Mondro: Benefits of Creativity & Experiential Aging Exercise
o Professor Rice-Oeschger: Personhood
o Professor Spencer: Psychological & Social Aging
o Professor Barbas: Neurology of Memory
o Professor Giordani: Neuropsychology behind Dementia & Creativity
o Professor Barbas & Professor Spencer: Narrative Medicine
o Professor Roberts: Public Health & Dementia
o Elaine Sims, Director of U-M Hospital Gifts of Art Program: Art & Healthcare
 Journal entries
 Blog entry
 Collaborative project proposal for Wisdom Keeper member
 Midterm response paper
 Book response
 Final reflection piece
Graduate coursework requirements include:
 Written responses to the following topics
o Professor Mondro: Benefits of Creativity & Experiential Aging Exercise
o Professor Rice-Oeschger: Personhood
o Professor Spencer: Psychological & Social Aging
o Professor Barbas: Neurology of Memory
o Professor Giordani: Neuropsychology behind Dementia & Creativity
o Professor Barbas & Professor Spencer: Narrative Medicine
o Professor Roberts: Public Health & Dementia
o Elaine Sims, Director of U-M Hospital Gifts of Art Program: Art & Healthcare
 Journal entries
 Blog entries
 Collaborative project proposal for Wisdom Keeper member
 Midterm response paper
 Book responses
 Dementia care specialist interview & presentation
 Final reflection piece
GRADES
Grading for this class will be based on class participation, attendance, and assignments. Since
this class involves working directly with the community, students are expected to be well
organized and properly prepared for working with their community member.





A grade of “A” is given to assignments that are thoughtfully designed, ambitious, well
structured, imaginative and extensively researched.
A grade of “B” is given to assignments that excel in idea, ambition, imagination and/or
research, but falls short in the other areas.
The grade of “C” means that the project is average.
The grade of “D” is given to completed projects that show minimal investment of time,
thought, and energy.
An “F” is given to incomplete projects that show minimal effort.
2
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE
Students are expected to attend all classes. The exception is a severe illness or emergency or
official U-M obligation. If you have a severe illness or emergency, please notify Professor
Mondro and Elaine Reed at least three hours before class via email. This is especially important
on days we visit Wisdom Keepers. If you have an official U-M obligation, it is expected you
notify the instructor as soon as possible of your absence.
Wisdom Keeper workshops require the class to meet at 1:00 pm sharp. If you miss the bus, it is
your responsibility to call Professor Mondro and make alternative plans to arrive as soon as
possible to the site.
CTOOL SITE & COURSE BLOG
The course will utilize a ctool site to post announcements, reading material, video clips, and
other pertinent course information. Students are expected to check the site regularly for
updates.
A blog has been created for this course. Students are expected to be active members and add
thoughtful comments throughout the semester. Specific requirements for participation will be
provided.
COURSE TEXTBOOKS
The course requires the following textbook(s):



Undergrad & graduate students: Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand Sorrows: A Couple's Journey
Through Alzheimer's by Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle
Undergrad & graduate students: The Shapes of Memory Loss: Stories, Poems, and Essays from
the University of Michigan Medical School and Health System by Nan Barbas, Laura RiceOeschger, and Cassie Starback with Contributions by Patients, Family Members, and Health
Professionals*
Graduate students: Forget Memory: Creating Better Lives for People with Dementia by Anne
Davis Basting
Students may purchase either the paperback or digital version of Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand
Sorrows and Forget Memory. Paperbacks are available at Literati Bookstore (124 East Washington Street,
Ann Arbor, MI 48104). All students will receive a free copy of The Shapes of Memory Loss.
Additional reading material will be photocopied for the students and/or placed on the ctool site.
COURSE MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
 Three ring binder
 Three ring hole punch
 Notebook
 Pen/pencil
 Scissors
 Sharpie Marker – fine tip
 Digital camera *
*For students that want to explore photography or video with their community member
and/or for their final reflection piece. All students are eligible to check out equipment
to use for this course at the Duderstadt Checkout. The checkout is on the second floor
3
circulation desk of the Duderstadt Center. Students can check out a video camera kit,
still camera kit, tripod, and light kit.
TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
o This schedule lists the key deadlines for papers and projects.
o Readings listed are to be read prior to class
o Blog entries are not on this schedule. Instructions and deadlines for those will be
discussed in class.
1-8-14
Course overview
Benefits of creativity
Art exercise
1-10-14
Experiential aging exercise
Storytelling exercise
Readings:
 Creativity and Communication in Persons with Dementia, Chp. 8 Telling Stories
 The Creative Age: The Flames of Creativity
1-15-14
Podcasts & Personhood in Cognitive Loss & Care Partnering: Prof. Laura Rice Oeschger
Readings:
 Making Friends With Your Illness
 Perspectives: A Newsletter for Individuals with Alzheimer’s or a Related Disorder
 Finding Hope in the Midst of Despair
 Personhood in Dementia Care
 StoryCorps’ Memory Loss Initiative
 Six Life Lessons Dementia Can Teach Us
 The Creative Arts in Dementia Care: Time and space now, and embodied contact
 The Alzheimer’s Journey: Living Mindfully with Memory Loss: Wisdom Shared by Individuals Living
with Memory Loss
1-17-14
Psychological & Social Aging: Prof. Beth Spencer
Readings:
 Psychosocial Adjustments to Aging
 Another Country: Chapter 1
1-22-14
Meet at University of Michigan Museum of Art for class
Guest Lecturer: Prof. Ruth Slavin
Expressive art experiences
Readings:
 Playfulness & Dementia: To Play or Not to Play?
 Playfulness & Dementia: Even a Few Scribbles
 Meet me at Moma
4
1-24-14
Neurology of Memory Part 1: Professor Nan Barbas
Readings:
 Proust Was a Neuroscientist
 Coda
 Selective Review of Cognitive Aging
1-29-14
Matthaie Botanical Gardens visit – meet in classroom
Cultivating Presence : Listening & Spontaneity
Listening Lecturer: Prof. Laura Rice Oeschger
Music Experience: Guest Lecture: Lori Fithian
Readings:
 Taking Care of the Caregiver
 How to Best Help Alzheimer’s Caregivers? Teach Them Mindfulness
 The Balance Study: Using Meditation to Help Caregivers Take Care of Themselves
 Mind-Body Research List
 Mindful Wellness Resources (including Care Partnering Books)
 Meditation May Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s
Video:
 Listening is an Act of Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfnf708ukZI
 Mind wise (podcasts)
http://alzheimers.med.umich.edu
1-31-14
Neurology of Memory Part 2: Prof. Nan Barbas
Reading:
 Normal and Pathological Cognitive Aging in Late Adulthood
2-5-14
Music & art exercises
Ipad creative art exercises
Expressive art training
2-7-14
Story sharing exercises
2-12-14
Guest: Doug Dault, Director of U-M Geriatic Center’s Silver Club Programs
Review and prep project for first visit with Wisdom Keepers
2-14-14
Neuropsychology behind Dementia & Creativity
Readings:
 Portraits from the Mind William Utermohlen
 The Healthy Brain Initiative
 Preserving Connections Through Creativity: The Neuropsychology Behind Dementia & Creativity
5
2-19-14
Wisdom Keepers: Visual Art
2-21-14
Narrative Medicine: Prof. Beth Spencer and Prof. Nan Barbas
Reading
 Creative Approaches in Dementia Care
2-26-14
Midterm response papers due
Wisdom Keepers: Drumming with Lori Fithian
2-28-14
Caregiving Communication: Prof. Beth Spencer
Readings:
 Should Families Provide For Their Own?
 Measure of Heart: A Father’s Alzheimer’s; A Daughter’s Return
 Learning to live in the world of dementia. In Your Name is Hughes Hannibal Shanks
3-5-14
No class – Winter Break
3-7-14
No class – Winter Break
3-12-14
Wisdom Keepers: Story & writing
3-14-14
Project proposals ideas due
Discuss ideas
3-19-14
Wisdom Keepers: student/member collaboration
3-21-14
Review collaborative experience
Grad students present their insights from professionals in the field
3-26-14
Book response due for Ten thousand Joys & Ten thousand Sorrows
Wisdom Keepers: student/member collaboration
3-28-14
Public Health & Dementia: Prof. Scott Roberts
Readings:
 Older Drivers
6


Healthy Brain Initiative
Roberts & Tersengno
4-2-14
Wisdom Keepers: student/member collaboration
4-4-14
Guest: Elaine Sims, Director of U-M Hospital’s Gifts of Art Program
4-9-14
Graduate second book response due
Wisdom Keepers: student/member collaboration
4-11-14
Student reflection pieces due
Organize exhibition/performance at Matthaie Botanical Gardens
4-16-14
Exhibiont/Performance at Matthaie Botanical Gardens – meet at Art & Design
4-18-14
Share reflection pieces
Course evaluation
7