The Center for Creative Aging at Harold Washington College

The Gerontology Program of the Applied Science Department In Cooperation With

Fall 2007 Courses

Social Service 102: Introduction to Gerontology

Course Description:

This one semester, three-credit hour course will provide a conceptual framework for the study of old age and older people from a multidisciplinary perspective. It will present an overview of the psychological, physical and social aspects of the aging processes that occur over the second half of life. It will also examine the impact of a growing elderly population on U.S. society and the global community and the many career opportunities resulting from the growth.

The course has four primary goals:

First, it will provide an overview of the field and examples of recent and classic contributions to the field of gerontology by writers and scholars from several professions and from those academic disciplines that comprise the major classifications of knowledge.
Second, the course will present materials selected to sensitize students to their own and others ageism at multiple levels (individual, institutional and societal).
Third, the course will serve as a foundation for students to develop and practice the skills needed for analytic thinking, critical reading, professional writing, and self-motivated learning associated with college study.
Finally, the course will introduce students to the social agencies and organizations of the field of aging.

This course is open to all registered Harold Washington College students, Center for Creative Aging members, professionals in the field of aging, and all other interested persons.