ALCS 6906 - Perspectives in Gerontology
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43146,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Kimberly Johnson
Email: ksjohnson@ysu.edu
Course Description
6906. Perspectives in Gerontology. Focus on the major theoretical perspectives of aging and aging related research with a focus on health. Theories from gerontology, epidemiology, sociology, and psychology will be covered. Three hour seminar. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Handbook of the Theories of Aging. 3rd edition | Bengston, V.L., Gans, D., Putney, N. M., Silverstein, M. (eds.) | 978-0-8261-2942-0 |
| Required | Aging in Rural Places | Hash, M.H, Jurkowski, E. T. & Krout, J. A. | 978-08261-9809-9 |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapters 1 & 2 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 1 & 2 Ageism Amplifies Cost and Prevalence of Health Conditions Rural-urban disparities in health outcomes, clinical care, health behaviors, and social determinants of health and an action oriented, dynamic tool for visualizing them |
Introduction to course What is rural |
Complete reading |
| 8/31 | Handbook of Theories of Aging chapters 21 & 27 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 3 Leaving no one behind: successful ageing at the intersection of ageism and ableism |
Successful Aging | Reading; Discussion |
| 9/7 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapters 5 & 6 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 3 Time, Human Agency, and Social Change - Perspectives Cumulative Advantage, Cumulative Disadvantage, and Evolving Patterns of Late-Life Inequality |
Life Course | Reading; Discussion |
| 9/14 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Intro Part Two, Chapters 3 & 4 The biology of aging |
History of theories of aging | Reading |
| 9/21 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapters 7-10 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 8 |
Biological Theory of Aging | Reading; Paper |
| 9/28 | No new reading assignments | Paper due 10/4/26 | |
| 10/5 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapters 11-15 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 6 |
Psychological Theory of Aging | Reading; Paper |
| 10/12 | No new reading assignment | Paper due 10/18/26 | |
| 10/19 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapters 16-20 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 5 |
Social Science Theories | Reading; Paper |
| 10/26 | No new reading assingment | Paper due 11/1/26 | |
| 11/2 | 1-Disrupt-Aging-A-Call-to-Action-for-Gerontologists.pdf (PDF) Anti-aging medicine: The hype and the reality - Part I Interventions to Reduce Ageism Against Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PMC Anti-Ageism-Quick-Guide_Sep2024v2-1.pdf |
Anti Agism | Reading; Discussion |
| 11/9 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapters 21-26 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 12 https://www.usaging.org/Files/USAging_2025PolicyPriorities_final_WEB.pdf |
Policy and Practice | Reading; Discussion |
| 11/16 | Handbook of Theories of Aging Chapter 24 Aging in Rural Places Chapter 13 World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument: http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/research_tools/whoqolbref/en/ |
Health Promotion | Reading; Discussion; Paper |
| 11/23 | Aging in Rural Places Chapter 9 Social Determinants of Health - Healthy People 2030 Equity and Social Determinants of Health Among Older Adults |
Social Determinants of Health | Reading; Mini Paper |
| 11/30 | No new reading assignments | Mini Paper and prep for final | |
| 12/7 | Final presentation | Mini paper due 12/6 Final Due 12/7 |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.