Gerontology
Mission
The mission of the gerontology minor is to broaden student’s
understanding of the life course by increasing their understanding of the
process of aging. In combination with the student’s major, this minor prepares
students to possess a more complete understanding of the biological,
psychological, and social factors related to aging. The minor is an
interdisciplinary program which integrates courses in sociology, social work,
nursing, dietetics, psychology, religious studies, biology, and philosophy.
This minor encourages students to make connections among various fields of learning
and to promote academic excellence through scientific research, education, and
service.
Goals
- Facilitate
student learning of gerontology through a multidisciplinary perspective.
- Students
will acquire a basic foundation in of aging in the fields of psychology,
biology/physiology, and sociology in order to understand changes in later
life that are caused by aging and those that are correlated with aging.
- Students
will achieve an understanding of theories and methodologies used to study
aging phenomena.
- Students
will gain an understanding of the age structures of diverse populations
(domestic and global) and the impact of demography on the individual life
course, family structures, and social structures.
- Students
will gain supplemental information in gerontology within their own
disciplinary expertise.
- Enhance
the career preparation of students by engaging in practical experience
through service learning or through an internship in an agency focused
upon the elderly.
- Encourage
students to assess and critique the societal response to aging (i.e.,
programs, policies, legislation).
- Encourage
students to understand the ethical complexities surrounding issues related
to aging.
Gerontology
Minor
- SOCL 244 or 344 and SOCL 456 or SOWK
456; 1-3 credits from PSYC 487, RLST 487; SOCL 149, 249, 349, 487; SOWK 480.
(Experience must be gerontology related and pre-approved by the minor
coordinator.)
- Fourteen to 16 from the below core and
support courses. At least nine credits must come from core courses. The credits
must come from at least three different subject areas.
- core
courses – BIOL 104, 203; NURS 301, 351; PHIL 321; PSYC 220, 286,
288, 486, 488; RLST 286, 288, 486, 488; SOCL 286, 288, 332, 486, 488; SOWK 286,
288, 332, 486, 488
(Special topics [286/486] and
independent study topics [288/488] must be pre-approved by the minor
coordinator.)
- support
courses – MGMT 385; NURS 221, 302; NUTR 250, 340; PSYC 320, RLST 370,
SOCL 370, SOWK 441
The total credits of the
minor requirements are 18. Transfer course and waivers and/or substitutions
could modify these credit totals.