Gerontology Minor

Meggan Jordan, Ph.D., Coordinator

Office: Bizzini Hall 213
Phone: (209) 667-3408

View information for the Department of Sociology and Gerontology , including Learning Objectives for the department and its programs.

Gerontology is the study of human aging, in all of its aspects. Housed within the Sociology department, gerontology is an interdisciplinary minor open to students in any major. The minor’s primary objective is to study aging as a process; investigate changes in society resulting from longer life expectancies; and apply this knowledge to social policies and programs. Research and scholarship on aging from interdisciplinary fields of anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, political science, gender studies, ethnic studies, and communication studies will be examined. This minor is designed for all persons interested in gaining greater insight into the challenges and opportunities of aging, both personally and professionally.

Minor Learning Outcomes:

Students will apply interdisciplinary perspectives, theories, and methods to the process of human aging.
Students will explore the purpose, meaning, and opportunities of older adulthood.
Students will analyze the variability of aging experiences through factors like identity, status, power, diversity, and difference.
Students will become competent advocates for older adults and effectively navigate policies, laws, resources, and networks that serve this population.

Requirements

To qualify for this academic minor, students must complete the required number of units with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C).

A minimum of 10 units must be completed outside the student’s major.

(18 units)

1. Complete the following required courses:

(6 units)

PSYC 3340 - Human Development III: Adulthood and Aging 3 unit(s)
SOCL 4000 - Introduction to Gerontology 3 unit(s)

2. Complete 12 units from the following electives:

(12 units)

ACC 3005 - Personal Financial Planning 3 unit(s)
ANTH 3250 - Anthropological Perspectives on Global Health 3 unit(s)
ANTH 4100 - Medical Anthropology 3 unit(s)
ANTH 4165 - Family in Cross-Cultural Perspectives 3 unit(s)
ANTH 4600 - Anthropology of Caregiving, Death, & Dying 3 unit(s)
COMM 4060 - Family Communication 3 unit(s)
COMM 4130 - Communication Across the Lifespan 3 unit(s)
COMM 4180 - Health Communication 3 unit(s)
ETHS 4000 - Chicana/o/x and Latina/o/x Families 3 unit(s)
GEND 3660 - Psychology of Women 3 unit(s)
GEND 4304 - Women’s Spirituality 3 unit(s)
KINS 3900 - Disparities in Public Health 3 unit(s)
KINS 4330 - Family Health 3 unit(s)
SOCL 3150 - The Family 3 unit(s)
SOCL 3190 - Disability and Society 3 unit(s)
SOCL 4700 - Medical Sociology 3 unit(s)
SOCL 4710 - Sociology of Aging 3 unit(s)
SOCL 4720 - Sociology of Death 3 unit(s)
SOCL 4740 - Sociology of Mental Health 3 unit(s)
SOCL 4940 - Sociological Internship 3-6 unit(s)

Note:

Courses should be selected with approval from minor advisor. Additional courses may be approved by minor advisor.