Perspectives in Gerontology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives in the study of ageing and life course.
• Identify and locate relevant literature through the use of University resources.
• Use skills in summarising and critically discussing literature, and also your written communication skills developed through the preparation of assessed coursework.
• Summarise key aspects of population ageing, for example relating to its determinants and/or its implications for social and economic resources across the life course and in later life.

The module will include face-to-face lectures on: an introduction to the study of Gerontology; the demography of ageing (UK & Europe); the epidemiology of ageing; the psychology of ageing and adjustment in later life; key theoretical perspectives on ageing and the life course; life course transitions; the history of the British welfare state and key issues in the development of welfare provision; work and retirement; inter-generational relations and family support; and policy initiatives and ageing.

Teaching and learning methods

The module involves lectures and guest lectures from different disciplines. Learning activities include lectures, informal group discussions and independent study. Students are expected to carry out some reading in advance of each session, in order to be able to participate in discussions.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Module resources. Module resources available on BlackBoard include lecture PowerPoint slides, seminar readings, coursework details, exercises, references and module updates. In addition, resources also include specially ordered texts located in the Hartley Library, copied readings in Course Collections in the Hartley Library and details of specialist websites.

Textbooks

Dannefer, D. and Phillipson, C. (2010). The Sage Handbook of Social Gerontology. London: Sage.

Phillips, J. et al (2010). Key Concepts in Social Gerontology. London: Sage.

Vincent, J. et al (eds.) (2006). The Futures of Old Age. London: Sage.

Victor, C. (2005). The Social Context of Ageing. London: Routledge.

Assessment strategy

Coursework Portfolio (max. 3,000 words)

The coursework portfolio consists of four parts, and all four parts contribute to the final word count of the portfolio, which is 3,000 words.

In the first part, students submit summaries of two prearranged articles on a provided topic.

In the second part, students must locate and submit two additional articles on a given topic themselves, utilising the library service.

The third part of the portfolio comprises two summaries of chosen papers and a justification of why each article meets the criteria for the provided topic.

The final part of the portfolio includes a critical review of all four articles.

Parts 1 to 3 of the portfolio should not exceed 1,500 words each, while Part 4 should also be limited to 1,500 words. Therefore, the assignment should have a maximum length of 3,000 words in total.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External