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U of U Students of Dwight Adams
Diversity Class: Geron 3005/5005

Satisfies U of U Diversity Requirement

This Course is Now an Online Course

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH GERONTOLOGY CENTER
Gerontology Master's Degree & Certificate Program Elective Course
*This Course Satisfies the U of U Diversity Requirement*

Course Outline 
College of Nursing

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you require a reasonable accommodation to meet the expectations of this course, please discuss your needs with the Center for Disabled Student services (160 Union 581-5020) to facilitate requests. Please bring this also to the instructor as soon as possible.

COURSE NUMBER: Gerontology 3005 (undergrads) & 5005 (grads)

COURSE TITLE: Race, Ethnicity, Gender, & Aging

PREREQUISITES: Upper Division Undergraduates

TOTAL CREDITS: 3 Semester credits

CLASS HOURS/WEEK: 3

SEMESTER OFFERED: Most Semesters

INSTRUCTOR: Dwight L Adams
580 College of Nursing
Email: dwightladams@msn.com (best)
REQUIRED TEXT:
Gelfand, Donald E. (2003), Aging and Ethnicity: Knowledge and Services, 2nd Ed., Springer Publishing Company, New York.

INSTRUCTIONAL WEB SITES:
There are several web sites that we will use, including this site for the tests and for study on religion. Other sites that will suppliment your study include:
(Read these sites on your own to help understand aging.)

Objectives

By the end of the semester, students should be able to:
1. Understand and define:
a. prejudice
b. discrimination
c. multiculturalism
d. ageism
e. sexism
f. ethnocentricity
g. "aging in place"

2. Write about the cultural values of at least two minority groups that, due to this class, the student newly experienced.

3. Recognize diversity as it is historically and currently found in our society. This includes demographic trends toward the future of our county, state and country

4. Recognize the life course history of many older Americans and how that may influence their perception of minorities today.

5. Describe and use several prominent theories of race and ethnic relations, with special emphasis on aging

6. Using critical analysis and, starting from multiple and opposing points of view:
a. challenge and analyze the majority power structures
b. recognize minority issues and discrimination.

Overview of Content

This course is designed to present a broad over view of aging within the frame work of race and ethnicity by examining some of the major issues related to our aging society, research methodology, and theories of aging with future implications on the local, regional and national levels. It will focus on diversity and some of the multicultural factors that contribute to the life-course: the socialization differences and the "life-chance" differences that may follow ethnic, racial, and/or minority status, including gender.

Teaching & Learning Methods 
Every other week we will consider one chapter in the required textbook. Please read ahead as we will have class discussion. For 3005 level students, the off weeks will be research into specific ethnicities as assigned by the instructor.

BEYOND THE REQUIRED TEXT, WE LEARN THROUGH RESEARCH AND EXPERIENCE:
Student participation and development in the discussions are important parts of the class. While holding to the premise that openness is strongly encouraged, civility will be expected of all participants. Discussions should not focus on opinions or personal experiences, but on critical analysis of the subject at hand. Students will not be academically punished or rewarded for their views.

For 3005 level students, this course includes two tests (Midterm and Final), active cooperative participation in class, at least 7 written reports (on assigned ethnicities as mentioned above), and at least one visit to an ethnic group that you know nothing about (written up in a paper of at least 6 pages by the end of the semester). Both of the exams will include material in the text, as well as information from class and class websites (especially for aging). The typical exam will be mostly multiple choice, with a small amount of true/false, with the balance short essay.
Required Work for 5005 Level Students: 
The 5005 level students have somewhat different work: 
Besides working in the required textbook, the off weeks (when we are not reviewing the required textbook), you will report on your reading in an earlier textbood (you will be given the pages to read). This is in place of the Ethnic assignments that the 3005 level students will be doing.
You will also do the Ethnic Visit that is required of the 3005 students, write a paper about it, and do an oral report just like the 3005 students.
Instead of doing the exams, you will write exam questions (multiple choice) from the required textbook and class information for inclusion in the tests that the 3005 students take.   

click here to play video

Former Tests

Click HERE to get to Sociology of Religion

3005 Level Students:
Your next test will found at the current test link (2008) when it is listed above. Print the test off of the web, do it at home, and bring it to class on the due date (listed on the test itself). You may use the study guides on this site, your notes, and texts, but you do need to do this on your own, as this is not a group project!. Good Luck!
 
NOTE: Attendance is REQUIRED for this course (a major part of the Diversity Requirement is students sharing their knowledge, research, and experiences with the rest of the class).
 
 

Expected Schedule: The normal semester schedule is listed below: 
 
Week 1 Introduction into Aging and the Ethnic Umbrella. Also the major types of aging. If there is time, we may view "Myths and Realities of Aging."
 
Week 2 Required textbook Chapter 1: Ethnicity, Gerontological Theory, and Research. If there is time, we will calculate your own longevity and talk about ADLs and IADLs.
 
Week 3 3005: Your report on Native Americans (1) is due in writing (at least 1 1/2+ pages, double spaced, regular print and margins). 5005: Your oral report on Lessons 1 & 2 are due.
 
Week 4 Required textbook Chapter 2: Ethnicity, Immigration, and the Ethnic Aged.
 
Week 5 3005: Your report on Hispanics (2) is due. (The same rules apply each time). 5005: your oral report on Lesson 3 is due. We may watch "Shades of Gray"
 
Week 6 Required textbook Chapter 3: Ethnic Aged in the United States. If there is time, lecture: Social Policy.
 
Week 7 3005 Your report on African Americans (3) is due. 5005  your oral report on Lesson 4 & 5 is due. We may watch "TOPAZ"
 
Week 8 Required textbook Chapter 4: Security and the Ethnic Aged. If there is time, lecture on Mental Health aspects of aging. Rubins 12 psyhophillosophical points.
 
Week 9 3005: Your report on Alaskans/Pacific Islanders (4) is due. 5005: your oral report on Lesson 6 is due. If there is time, we may watch "Lost for Words."  
 
Week 10 MIDTERM is DUE. Required textbook Chapter 5: Family and Religious Organizations as Sources of Assistance. 
 
Week 11 3005: Your report on Asians (5) is due. 5005: your oral report on Lesson 7 is due. If time, lecture and discussion on adult caregiving.
 
Week 12  Required textbook Chapter 6: Reaching and Meeting Ethnic Aged Needs. We may see "To Touch a Greiving Heart"
 
Week 13 3005: Your report on a religion (6) is due. 5005: your oral report on Lesson 8 is due. Lecture will on Religion and Death and Dying issues.
 
Week 14 Required textbook Chapter 7: Programs, Services, and the Ethnic Aged. Required trextbook Chapter 8: Paradigms, Assumptions, and Assessments.
 
Week 15  3005: Your report on Gender/Sexual Orientation (7) is due. 5005: your oral report on Lesson 9 is due. Begin oral reports of the Ethnic Visits.
 
Week 16 Summing it all up. EVERYTHING is DUE, including the Final, on the last day of class. ALL PAPERS and the Term PROJECT are due before the Final. Finish up discussions on your Ethnic Visits.
 
The Required Term Project for All Students: An Ethnic Visit:
 
Even in Utah there are many racial/ethnic associations (very often tied to colleges or Universities). This project is to find and visit one of the public get-togethers of a racial/ethnic group that you do not belong to and that you know little to nothing about. Please do not wait until the end of the semester to make your visit. The paper on your experience is due on week 15, (submit at least an 6+ page report of that event). This paper should include items such as:

a) How did you gain access?
How warmly were you received?
How much of a part of the group did you feel you became?

b) Would you want to meet again with this group?
Do you have current plans to do so?

c) Did you find your experience troubling?
Would you introduce a close friend to this group?

d) Report on what occurred at the meeting, especially taking note of events or ideas that were new to you. Try to give a few quotes from any speakers or leaders of the group.
 
e) If appropriate, attach to your report materials that you were given (such as agendas, bulletins, and the like). 
 
The grading of this project and of other work and attendance: You are in competition with the other members of the class and your grades will reflect your standing in the class at the level of your registration. 3005 level students compete with other 3005 level students and 5005 students compete with their own cohort.
 
Approximate grading break down:
 
Each of 2 tests: 20 % (5005 will be creating test questions)
 
The Ethnic Assignments: 20% (5005 will be graded on the oral reports they give from Lessons 1-7).  
 
The Ethnic Visit, paper and report: 25% 
 
Attendance and participation: 15%
 
Notes:
1- Your Grades can not be given out by phone. Use the University's web site.
2- You papers and final are available in the Gerontology Office for 3 weeks after the course.

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