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Gerontology
In the College of Health and Human Services
Office: Hepner Hall 203
Telephone: (619) 594-6989
Fax: (619) 594-2811
Gerontology is a multidisciplinary program administered through the University Center on Aging. Faculty assigned to teach courses in gerontology are drawn from the Departments of Anthropology, Psychology, Recreation, Parks and Tourism, and Sociology; the School of Social Work; and the Colleges of Arts and Letters, Education, Health and Human Services, and Professional Studies and Fine Arts.
Director: Stanford
Professor: Stanford
Lecturer: DuBois
Major in gerontology with the B.A degree in liberal arts and sciences.
Minor in gerontology.
Certificate in applied gerontology (offered only in Extension).
Gerontology concerns itself with the study and application of knowledge about the physical, social, and economic conditions of older people. Since the process of aging touches all aspects of human activity, gerontology is multidisciplinary in nature. Gerontology is becoming a major area of research in the biological, behavioral, and social sciences.
Every day there is a net increase of 1,000 Americans 65 years of age and over. This is an increase of more than 3,500,000 elderly persons per year. With this striking increase has come a growing need for more trained professionals to apply new knowledge about the elderly. Such knowledge is needed for planning and developing programs and services which improve the quality of life for older Americans.
Gerontological training and research is an important link in meeting the social, physical, and psychological needs of the elderly. Students of gerontology benefit through the personal understanding of their own aging process. Those wishing to pursue careers in aging will find many exciting opportunities for serving the elderly in a variety of settings.
One of the primary goals of the gerontology program is to provide students with a broad base for comprehensive understanding of the impact of society's changing demographics on every aspect of their social and work lives. It is through research, teaching, and community involvement that faculty members from numerous disciplines provide for the intellectual development of students, the enhancement of community programs, and the assurance of a better quality of life for older people in the community, the state, and the nation.
All College of Health and Human Services majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.
All candidates for a degree in liberal arts and sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in the section of this catalog on "Graduation Requirements." No more than 48 units in gerontology courses can apply to the degree.
A minor is not required with this major.
Preparation for the Major. Gerontology 101, 250; Biology 100; Child and Family Development 135; Community Health Education101; Psychology 101; and Social Work 110. (21 units)
Foreign Language Requirement. Competency (equivalent to that which is normally attained through three consecutive courses of college study) is required in one foreign language as part of the preparation for the major. Refer to the section of the catalog on "Graduation Requirements."
Upper Division Writing Requirement. Passing the University Writing Examination or completing one of the approved writing courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
Major. A minimum of 36 upper division units to include Gerontology 350, 360, 370, 400A, 400B, 520; Psychology 350; Recreation 580; Social Work 420*; Sociology 350 or 527; and six units selected with approval of the adviser from Anthropology 509; Child and Family Development 335 and 381; Communicative Disorders 580; Gerontology 402, 496, 499, and 596 (when appropriate); Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 433; Psychology 456; Women's Studies 310, 521.
The minor in gerontology consists of a minimum of 18 units to include Psychology 350, Sociology 350 or 527; and 12 units selected from Gerontology 101, 350, 360, 370, 400A, 400B, 402, 499, 596; Anthropology 509; Child and Family Development 496*; Communicative Disorders 580; Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 433; Recreation 580; Social Work 120, 420; Sociology 496*; and Women's Studies 521.
Additional prerequisites may be required for the courses in the minor.
Courses in the minor may not be counted toward the major or the certificate, but may be used to satisfy preparation for the major and general education requirements, if applicable. A minimum of six upper division units must be completed in residence at San Diego State University.
This program is designed for persons working in the field of aging as well as those interested in obtaining employment in the aging field. Completion of the certificate program will enable participants to assume greater responsibility by broadening their knowledge of and skill in this specialty area. More specifically, the program is designed to provide the following:
1. A broad knowledge base in the bio-psycho-social aspects of aging.
2. Practical knowledge and skills in the application of this information towards services for older people.
3. Knowledge of government programs and program planning and evaluation techniques.
4. Knowledge of programs and services operating in local areas as well as gaps which exist in local programming.
5. Knowledge and skills needed to function in an advocacy capacity to improve services to the elderly.
Certificate Requirements:
1. Complete 18 semester units of coursework with a grade point average of 2.0 or better.
2. Complete coursework within four years after admission to the program.
3. Petition the University Center on Aging for the certificate upon completion of 18 semester units.
To be admitted to the program, students are expected to show by previous coursework and/or experience some evidence of potential for completing the academic program. Previous courses in gerontology taken at SDSU or at other universities will be considered for credit toward certification on an individual basis, but not to exceed nine units.
The center is responsible for the coordination of the certificate program in conjunction with the College of Extended Studies. Admission applications may be obtained from the University Center on Aging. Applications may be submitted prior to entering the program or before the completion of nine semester units of coursework.
Students are required to submit an Open University Registration Form each semester to the College of Extended Studies.
Students accepted into the program will be assigned an adviser by the University Center on Aging.
A minimum of 12 semester units must be selected from the following five areas inclusive of the practicum:
- I. Introduction to Gerontology
Gerontology 101. Introduction to Human Aging (3)
- II. Biological and Health Aspects of Aging
Anthropology 509. Culture and Biological Aging (3)
- III. Psychological Aspects of Aging
Psychology 350. Abnormal Psychology (3)
- IV. Sociological Aspects of Aging
Gerontology 250. Intergenerational Issues and the Elderly (3)
Gerontology 350. Social Policy and Aging (3)
- V. Practicum
Gerontology 400A-400B. Practicum in Gerontology (3) (Cr/NC)
- Elective Courses
A minimum of six semester units selected from the following:
Gerontology 360. Minority and Ethnic Aging (3)
Gerontology 370. Images of Aging in Contemporary Society (3)
Gerontology 496. The Aging Network (3)
Gerontology 499. Special Study (1-3)
Gerontology 520. An Inside Look at Aging Programs-Program
Analysis (3)
Gerontology 596. Advanced Special Topics in Gerontology (1-4)
Recreation 580. Leisure and the Aging Process (3)
Women's Studies 310. Women in Cross-Cultural Perspective (3)
Women's Studies 521. Life Cycles of Women (3)
101. Introduction to Human Aging (3) I, II
Overview of the field of gerontology, including demographic trends, basic theories, concepts and philosophic ideas, social policies, planning issues, and services available to meet the needs and problems of the aged.
250. Intergenerational Issues and the Elderly (3)
Controversial issues surrounding interpersonal relations between the aged and other age groups.
296. Experimental Topics (1-4)
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
350. Social Policy and Aging (3) II
Prerequisite: Gerontology 101.
Philosophical and practical gerontological knowledge for the operation of health and human service organizations. Multiprofessional perspective of policies, services, and administrative techniques.
360. Minority and Ethnic Aging (3) I
Prerequisite: Gerontology 101.
Attitudes and cultural values related to aging members of ethnic minorities. Major social and psychological theories on aging as they relate to ethnic minority elderly. Impact of class, economic resources, and health on the aging process.
370. Images of Aging in Contemporary Society (3) II
Prerequisite: Gerontology 101.
Images of older persons in our society. Influence of films, newspapers, radio, television, books and magazines, and a wide range of advertising mechanisms.
400A-400B. Practicum in Gerontology (3-3) Cr/NC I, II
Twelve hours of laboratory.
Prerequisites: Gerontology 350, 360, 370.
Integration of theoretical background and practical experience in providing services to elderly. Fieldwork and observation in settings providing services to the elderly. Direct experience in aging projects relevant to their field of interest.
402. The Aging Network (3) I, II
Prerequisite: Three units in gerontology.
Current status of aging services in the community. Evaluation of effectiveness of programs and services to maintain elderly in the community.
496. Experimental Topics (1-4)
Selected topics. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree.
499. Special Study (1-3)
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.
Individual study. Maximum credit six units.
520. Analysis of Programs for the Aging (3)
Prerequisite: One upper division course in gerontology.
Major programs in aging that support daily functioning of elderly. Effectiveness of programs in serving today's elderly with attention to ethnic and cross-cultural variations.
522. International Issues on Aging (3)
Prerequisite: Three units in gerontology.
Socio-economic implications of rapidly growing number and proportion of older people around the world. Comparative study of aging populations in different countries, analysis and evaluation of related policies and programs.
596. Advanced Special Topics in Gerontology (1-4) I, II
Advanced selected topics in gerontology. May be repeated with new content. See Class Schedule for specific content. Limit of nine units of any combination of 296, 496, 596 courses applicable to a bachelor's degree. Maximum credit of six units of 596 applicable to a bachelor's or master's degree. Maximum combined credit of six units of 596 and 696 applicable to a 30-unit master's degree.
Health Science
Refer to "Community Health Education" in this section of the catalog.
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