Aging Studies
Rie (Leeay) Kobayashi, Interim Director
program web page
Degrees
Minor–Aging Studies (Interdisciplinary)
Certificate–Aging Studies
Certificate–Palliative Care
Graduate Certificate–Palliative Care
Required courses in this program of study may have prerequisites. Reference the course description section for clarification.
Undergraduate Program
The Center for Studies in Aging, administratively located within the College of Professional Programs, School of Social Work, serves as the coordinating entity for the university’s multidisciplinary aging studies minor. This program draws upon the university’s existing resources in such fields as social work, sociology, biology, psychology, nursing, nutrition and dietetics, health sciences, recreation and leisure services, physical education, economics, and various ethnic studies programs.
The program is designed to prepare students for careers in the development, management, and provision of services to older persons. Such careers include: management of public and private agencies serving older persons, administration of residential care facilities for the elderly, and the management and direction of social, leisure, and health services to older persons.
Aging Studies Courses
AGST 310. MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES IN AGING. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
Required of all students in the minor, this course draws upon a number of disciplines and fields (primarily biology, psychology, social work, sociology, economics, nutrition and dietetics, and ethnic perspectives) to provide a balanced view of both normal and problem aspects of aging. Presents theoretical issues and aspects of aging as well as programs, services and issues involved in working with older persons.
AGST 399. SPECIAL STUDIES. 1-5 Credits.
AGST 410. MINORITY PERSPECTIVES IN AGING. 4 Credits.
Pre-requisites: sophomore standing.
Required of all students in the minor, this course is oriented toward a critical examination of the variations in aging experiences of minority elderly in the United States. Its focus is on the most salient themes, orientations and dimensions of the problems and processes of aging in the broader cultural tradition within each ethnic minority group. Particular attention paid to biological, material and historical bases.
AGST 415. INTRODUCTION TO PALLIATIVE CARE. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 415.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Palliative care is an interdisciplinary and holistic approach for those with a life threatening illness. It aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families through prevention, psychological and spiritual care. This course will focus on identifying gaps in end of life care and emerging models of palliative care, assessing the psychological, medical, and spiritual needs of someone living with illness, while emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity in service delivery.
AGST 449. GRIEF, LOSS AND RESILIENCE. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 449.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 549.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
Grief and loss are woven throughout the human experience. Helping professionals must be ready to deal with their own grief and loss as well as that of their clients. Losses may accompany forms of addictions, disability, divorce, job loss, moves, placement disruptions, relationship breaks and death. Grief is a spectrum of emotions experienced in response to loss. Students will learn about the varied presentations of grief, theories of grief, what supports can be employed for healthy grief.
AGST 456. THE OLDER WOMAN. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: GWSS 456, SOWK 456.
Pre-requisites: junior standing.
This course examines the research and practice knowledge on the social, economic and health problems confronting older women. Older women’s needs and potential for change are considered. The course explores U.S. social policy and program alternatives that work to improve the status and quality of life for a growing and diverse population of older women.
AGST 457. CLINICAL ASSESSMENT IN MIDLIFE AND OLDER ADULTS. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 457.
Pre-requisites: junior standing or permission of instructor.
An introduction to the assessment skills required for professional social work practice in mental health and other clinical settings dealing with the elderly. The course is intended for social work practitioners.
AGST 458. PERSPECTIVES ON DEATH AND DYING. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 458.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 574 or AGST 574.
This course is designed to assist students in the helping professions who wish to work with the terminally ill. Focus will be on an increased ability to deal with one’s own mortality; the development of beginning skills for working with the terminally ill and their families; an understanding of the complex social system which surrounds death in modern America; as well as the current moral, ethical and philosophical issues in the field.
AGST 496. EXPERIMENTAL COURSES. 1-5 Credits.
AGST 499. DIRECTED STUDY. 1-5 Credits.
AGST 500. MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES IN AGING. 4 Credits.
This course provides a multi-disciplinary approach to examining social, economic, health, long term care, cultural and diversity issues related to aging. Resources and services designed to support healthy aging will be reviewed.
AGST 510. MINORITY PERSPECTIVES IN AGING. 4 Credits.
This course provides a critical examination of the variation in the aging experience of older minorities in the United States. It is designed to meet some of the major needs of gerontology students, teachers, researchers, and service providers. The primary emphasis is on the identification of the basic elements and characteristics of older adults, with particular attention to the conditions associated with some variations in minority elders.
AGST 515. INTRODUCTION TO PALLIATIVE CARE. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 515.
Pre-requisites: graduate standing.
Palliative care is an interdisciplinary and holistic approach for those who have a life threatening illness. It aims improve the quality of life of patients and their families through prevention, psychological and spiritual care, etc. This course will focus on identifying current gaps in end of life care and emerging models of palliative care, assessment of the psychological, medical, and spiritual needs of someone living with illness, the importance of cultural sensitivity in service delivery.
AGST 549. GRIEF, LOSS AND RESILIENCE. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 549.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 449.
Grief and loss are woven throughout the human experience. Helping professionals must be ready to deal with their own grief and loss as well as that of their clients. Losses may accompany forms of addictions, disability, divorce, job loss, moves, placement disruptions, relationship breaks and death. Grief is a spectrum of emotions experienced in response to loss. Students will learn about the varied presentations of grief, theories of grief, what supports can be employed for healthy grief.
AGST 574. PERSPECTIVES ON DEATH AND DYING. 4 Credits.
Cross-listed: SOWK 574.
Notes: may be stacked with SOWK 458 or AGST 458.
This course explores issues related to death, dying, grief and loss as well as their relevance and application to social work practice. The content draws from an interdisciplinary knowledge base and emphasizes the acquisition of practice skills. Topics include loss events throughout the life span; psychological and sociological theoretical perspectives in death, dying, grief and loss.