Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course introduces the current theories, policies, and practices in gerontology and explores professional opportunities in the field. The course focuses on the concerns of practitioners, and current directions in service delivery, programs, law, and policy. Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites, but it is highly recommended that students take Soc204, Soc205, or their equivalents. This course is a core course of the Gerontology Certificate/Degree Program.

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
 

1. Evaluate institutional practices, programs and policies and make recommendations to improve services and promote best practices in the field of gerontology, using social theories and multidisciplinary and multicultural perspectives on aging persons and societies.
2. Plan and implement appropriate and effective programs, policies, and social change strategies for and with older adults of diverse ages, abilities, nationalities, races/ethnicities, social classes, genders, sexual orientations, and religious or spiritual communities.
3. Work with increased confidence as professionals in the field of gerontology, and further the development of their professional portfolios.

Students will demonstrate the learning outcomes by these tasks conducted individually and in cooperation with other students:
1. Complete reflections, concept clarification, and critical thinking assignments on various professional and policy issues.
2. Engage in a service-learning project with elders, that incorporates a reflection component.
3. Conduct a capstone or term project on a major gerontological issue that includes research analysis and program, policy, legal, or social change strategies and assessment. The Project should include a presentation, a professional review, and a self-evaluation.
4. Students enrolled in the Gerontology Certificate/Degree Program should complete portfolio entries related to knowledge, skills, and work experience gained through the course.

Concepts, themes, and issues
The course focuses on concepts, themes, and issues related to health, longevity, and healthcare; care of elders; dying, death, and bereavement, the economics of aging; inequalities and aging; welfare state policies related to the aged; and the politics of aging, including social policy issues and social movements. These issues are approached from a multicultural perspective with sensitivity and attention to diverse groups and societies. Other concepts, themes, and issues in the field of gerontology are examined according to student interest.
Competencies and Skills
Some of the skills students will develop include:

1. Interpretation and application of gerontological research on the aging and elders.
2. Critical analysis of gerontological issues, programs, and policies.
3. Appropriate application of gerontological theories, practices, programs, and policies to diverse aging populations.
4. Program and social change strategy planning and implementation.
5. Clear and effective communication on these issues, in written and oral form.
6. Effective group work.
7. Reflection on service-learning experiences.