Gerontology Program

Gerontology Courses -- Fall 2008
(Additional course descriptions coming soon!)

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Seminar: Critical Issues of Aging (GRO 501-01). An intensive review and analysis of the literature and research on issues of aging and the unresolved problems. 3 credit hours. Taught Monday from 6:00 - 8:50 PM by Dr. Janice Wassel. (CRN #82935) Syllabus

Proseminar in Gerontology (GRO 600-01). An introduction and gateway to the profession and study of gerontology including career roles and paths, professional development and ethics, and research processes and procedures. This course is designed to be an introduction and gateway to the profession and study of gerontology. Ideally, students will take the Proseminar in their first semester after being accepted into a post baccalaureate program of the Gerontology Program (but in all cases by the end of their second semester.) It will introduce students to the ethical and career development dimensions of the profession including such topics as career roles and paths and research processes and conduct. The relatively recent position of gerontology among the professions and the wide range of career paths open to students who pursue a gerontology degree make such a course an essential gateway to help students understand the options available to them and to make best use of their academic plan of study. Students will begin their exploration of topics that will be continued in the capstone course for master’s students: The Integrative Seminar in Gerontology (GRO 651). Taught Saturday, September 13, 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, November 8, 8 AM to Noon by Dr. Janice Wassel and Sandy Leak. (CRN #TBD)

The Boomer Demographic Phenomena (GRO 611b-01). Comprehensive overview of the current and future societal and demographic trends as a consequence of the Boomer Demographic Phenomena with implications for government, community and business markets. Applied demographic exercises. This course is part of the block of coursework in the Aging and Business Concentration within the Gerontology Program master’s program. The Boomer Demographic Phenomena is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the societal, economic and demographic trends associated with applied demographic methods used in planning. The course begins by examining the historical and economic consequences leading to the ‘boom’ and includes a brief history of the American Baby Boom’s influence on public policy, politics, education and the labor force. The course then turns its attention to how the boomers will shape the new future public and private market sectors. Students will learn how to account for the influence that the Boomer demographics has when planning and forecasting future markets, service delivery and products. Students who enter the professional practice of gerontology across a wide-range of settings will find this course relevant including those who practice direct services and care management, health and wellness programming, product development and marketing, policy and program development or financial gerontology. Taught Wednesdays, August 27 through October 15 from 6:00 to 8:50 PM by Dr. Janice Wassel. (CRN # TBD)

Research Methods in Gerontology (GRO 620-01). The integration and application of qualitative and quantitative research designs and methods used in gerontology. Additional attention focuses on the formulation and writing of a research proposal. 3 credit hours. Taught Thursday from 5:30 - 8:20 PM by Lauren Cohen. (CRN #82936) Syllabus

Financing Longevity: Topics in Insurance (GRO 622-01). Overview of concepts and products of insurance related to financing longevity in the United States. Topics include Medicare, Medicaid, long term care insurance and related products. Students who are pursuing a concentration in Aging and Business within the MS degree of the Gerontology Program are required to take this course as a part of their aging block. It will provide a fundamental understanding of personal, governmental and private-sector roles in financing longevity in the United States through participation in insurance programs and the conceptual framework for consideration of individual choices and policy options to address the aging of society. Topics covered include Medicare, Medicaid, long term care insurance and related products. Students who enter the professional practice of gerontology across a wide-range of settings will find this course relevant including those who practice direct services and care management, health and wellness programming, product development and marketing, policy and program development or financial gerontology. Taught Tuesday 5:30 - 8:20 PM by Ann Daniel. (CRN #TBD)

Communities Responding to an Aging Society (GRO 632-01). Addresses community responses to an aging society and how those responses may be enhanced through civic engagement, infrastructure development, and public/private initiatives. Additionally, emphasizes developing and sustaining innovative programs. Communities are the frontline of response to the challenges and opportunities of an aging society and the common ground for civic engagement in American public life. Over the past decade, governmental, philanthropic and university-based initiatives across the United States have increasingly recognized the critical role that communities can and do play in meeting the needs of a growing aging population. This course covers the range of community responses and the potential for communities to enhance those responses. This course is primarily designed for students who are pursuing a graduate certificate or master’s degree in gerontology or a certificate in non-profit management. Students who are exploring the pursuit of these programs or other graduate level students with interests in aging, including those in business administration, public administration, public health, social work and nursing, are also welcome. Taught Wednesday 2:00 - 4:50 PM by Sandy Leak. (CRN #TBD)

Gerontology Internship or Research Experience I (GRO 649-01). Supervised experience as a participant/observer in a structured setting for older adults in order to link theory and practice and increase professional expertise or supervised research in a gerontological topic. 3 credit hours. Supervised by arrangement with instructor Dr. Janice Wassel. at 336-256-1020. (CRN #82937)

Gerontology Internship or Research Experience II (GRO 679-01). Supervised experience as a participant/observer in a structured setting for older adults in order to link theory and practice and increase professional expertise or supervised research in a gerontological topic. 3 credit hours. Supervised by arrangement with instructor Dr. Janice Wassel. at 336-256-1020. (CRN #82939)

Independent Study in Gerontology (GRO 695-01). Intensive study in an area of special interest in gerontology. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit. Taught by members of the Gerontology faculty by arrangement. 1-3 credit hours. Contact Dr. Janice Wassel at 336.256.1020. (CRN #82940)

Thesis (GRO 699-01). Individual guidance in the development of a specific research problem. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit. 1-6 hours. Contact Dr. Jan Wassel at 336-256-1020. (CRN#82941)

Thesis Extension (GRO 801-01) 1-3 credit hours. Contact Dr. Jan Wassel at 336-256-1020. (CRN #82942)