College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 2015-2016 Catalog

255 a faculty member assigned as advisor, and access to mentors, who are leaders in their branch of the field, for the capstone project and will mutually arrange their own schedule of conferencing and means of communication. 6 credits CONCENTRATIONS - 3 courses (3 credits each) The concentrations provide students with the opportunity to bring their core gerontology knowledge into the field or career in which the student is or will be working. In these concentrations, courses will be developed to target the areas most relevant to the intersection of older adults and the selected field under study. Concentrations include: Public Health, Gerontology and the Family, Emergency Preparedness, and Professional Geriatric Care Management. Gerontology and the Family (9 credits) GERO 6110: Systems Application in the Family Life Cycle of Aging (3 credits) This course provides a focus on the major concepts of systems thinking as applied to the family life cycle of aging and foundational concepts of systemic theories associated with the work of Gregory Bateson, Humberto Maturana, and Heinz von Forester. An exploration of interactional theories informed by cybernetics, language, and natural systems metaphors in the framework of the aging process is included. This course will provide not only an opportunity to learn about systemic theories, but also a venue to reflect on applications of such theoretical concepts while examining the process of aging and family interactions involving older adults and their families. GERO 6120: Relationships in Aging (3 credits) Multi-dimensional in nature, aging invites diverse health care professionals to work together to examine its various aspects. This course offers students an opportunity to reflect on diverse relationships among older adults themselves, senior health care consumers and their health care providers, and various health care professionals who are taking care of the aging population. The role modification in the American household, romantic relationships in later life and the societal outlook on the process of aging are a few of the topics addressed in this course. Students examine current needs and requirements of the working environment with older adults, including the subject of integrative primary care and the necessity of a multidisciplinary teamwork. GERO 6131: Caregiving in the Family (3 credits) Caregiving constitutes a challenging experience for the whole family. This course examines diverse characteristics of the caregivers, emotional and physical issues associated with caregiving, and existing resources implemented to support families and caretakers. Students have an opportunity to examine the notions of well-being and quality of life as applied to those providing and receiving care. While reflecting on the care giving process, students utilize concepts from such theoretical frameworks as constructivism, social constructionism, and general systems theory to investigate diverse perceptions and ideas about caregiving. Providing theoretical guidelines, this course gives students a framework to acquire attuned therapeutic skills to provide assistance to caregivers and their families. Emergency Preparedness and Response for Elder Populations (9 credits) *Students select 3 courses GERO 5050: All Hazards Preparedness (3 credits) This course will define the interdisciplinary roles and responsibilities of professionals, paraprofessionals, and volunteers (including elders) in all-hazards emergency planning, response, mitigation and recovery.