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| Ryerson Home > Current Students > Academic Calendars > Full-Time Undergraduate Calendar |
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 UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM CALENDAR 2003-2004 |
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Gerontology Courses
GER 010 GER 040 GER 101 GER 102 GER 103 GER 104 GER 201 GER 202 GER 203 GER 204 GER 205 GER 206 GER 298 GER 301 GER 302 GER 303 GER 304 GER 401 GER 402 GER 403 GER 404
GER 010 Gerontology: Introductory Gerontology Lect: 3 hrs. Introductory Gerontology will provide a general orientation to the field of aging and a foundation for all subsequent courses in the program. Gerontology’s interdisciplinary emphasis derives from the fact that aging is best understood as a set of interrelated changes ranging from the individual to the societal. The course will examine the biological, psychological, and sociological changes accompanying aging and will consider the individual, family, community and societal adaptations that necessarily respond to these changes.
GER 040 Gerontology: Senior Project Seminar Lab: 3 hrs. This course, an independent applied project , in the form of a thesis, or community based project is an opportunity for students to gain in-depth knowledge of an issue or specific area of interest developed throughout the program. The project may take the form of applied research and/or community based experiential learning. In collaboration with a faculty advisor it will be an opportunity to creatively apply and integrate theoretical issues, concepts and perspectives explored throughout the program. Prerequisite: GER 301.
GER 101 Gerontology: Aging and Physiology I Lect: 3 hrs. This course will provide an orientation to fundamental principles and unifying themes regarding the workings of the human body. An integrated, systems orientation will allow for a developmental examination of regulation and integration of the body (nervous and endocrine system) and support and movement of the body (skeletal-muscular system). Emerging research regarding the augmenting implications of engagement and activity regarding cognition and physical capacity will be explored.
GER 102 Gerontology: Aging and Physiology II Lect: 3 hrs. The biologic base and understandings developed in the Introduction to Human Physiology will be expanded in this course to include an advanced exploration of the principles of complementarity and adaptation of structure and function. The interdependence of maintenance body processes will be explored from both a developmental and aging perspective. Since aging is a complex and multifaceted process that derives from both intrinsic (genomic) and extrinsic (environ-mental) factors, the stereotypic decline in metabolism and tissue regeneration will be explored using a nature/nurture framework. Prerequisite: GER 101 or equivalent.
GER 103 Gerontology: Interpersonal and Group Communication Lect: 3 hrs. This course will focus on enhancing students’ awareness of themselves and others through the exploration of the theory and practice of interpersonal communication, group dynamics, and group process. The implications of enhanced communication skills for working with older adults living both independently and in protected environments will be examined using a range of techniques and approaches. The experiential mode of learning will be utilized in both large and small group sessions as well as with students’ older partners.
GER 104 Gerontology: Individual Assessment Lect: 3 hrs. This course will explore the range of theoretical models for assessing and monitoring the physiological, cognitive and mental health abilities, including activities of daily living, of older adults; the development of the skills required to apply these assessments; and the identification of the social and health care supports required for older adults to function in the community. Sharing information about their older partners will increase students’ understanding of the range of abilities and needs of older adults. Prerequisite: GER 103 and GER 101.
GER 201 Gerontology: Support Assessment: Families & Community Lect: 3 hrs. Building on the assessment skills acquired in GER 104 this course will focus on the identification and assessment of social supports, community resources, and services available to older adults and their families. Principles and history underlying the funding sources of community resources will be reviewed and assessed as well as the stresses and strains on families as caregivers and case managers. Students will become aware of gaps in services and resources and will develop skills and strategies to advocate for change. Prerequisites: GER 010 and GER 104.
GER 202 Gerontology: Intergenerational Relationships Lect: 3 hrs. This course will examine the relationships between generations in the family and in the community. An interdisciplinary approach will provide the theoretical background for addressing the range of issues affecting the relationships between children, grandparents and other family members as well as non-biologically related generations in the community. Students will gain an understanding of how generations are interdependent and become resources for one another in the family and community, through programming, advocacy and care. Prerequisite: GER 010.
GER 203 Gerontology: Law and Aging Lect: 3 hrs. Law and Aging will give a general orientation to the role and purpose of law in the lives of older persons across a broad range of perspectives. It will give an in-depth treatment of consent, capacity and substitute decision-making issues; and the critical legal framework for income security programs, institutional and community based long-term care, seniors’ housing, the reporting of elder abuse, and the use of restraints. Prerequisite: GER 010.
GER 204 Gerontology: Psychogeriatrics Lect: 3 hrs. This course will focus on the assessment, treatment, and support of older adults experiencing a range of mental states including personality and behavioral disorders, acute and chronic states of confusion and mental disorders such as depression, dementia, anxiety and neurosis. The role of family, and the needs of caregivers in the management of the more severe disorders will be considered as well as knowledge about community resources to assist in either home or institutional care. Prerequisites: GER 101, GER 102, and GER 104.
GER 205 Gerontology: Research & Practice I Lab: 3 hrs. This course will provide students with an introductory understanding of social sciences research and relevance to gerontologic practice. Using a range of techniques, the role that research plays in generating and perpetuating perceptions will be critically considered. Basic statistical approaches, and quantitative and qualitative research design methodologies will be examined using both general and specific older adult applications. Lect/
GER 206 Gerontology: Research & Practice II Lect: 2 hrs./Lab: 2 hrs. This course will expand upon the principles and concepts developed in Research and Practice I: Learning and Practice and will explore current program development frame-works/models from both a theoretic and practical perspective. An iterative orientation will allow students to experience the multiple uses and utility of a progressive evaluation model. Methods for documenting the safety, effectiveness and feasibility of proposed and mandated programs and services will be explored. Prerequisite: GER 205 or equivalent.
GER 298 Gerontology: Ability, Disability and Aging Lect: 3 hrs. Psychosocial, biophysiological, and behavioural changes occur as a result of the aging process and this course provides students with the knowledge to assess these changes. Assessment rating scales will be analyzed and students will be provided with the opportunity to observe a range of assessment interviews.
GER 301 Gerontology: Research & Practice III Lect: 2 hrs./ Lab: 2 hrs. This is the third course in “GER research and practice” series which positions the research process as an integral component of practice. A focus will be placed on enhancing students’ understanding of and fluency regarding “health” research, specifically Cana-dian health and health care information and surveys, epidemiologic research strengths and limitations, multiple determinants and behaviour methodology specific to older adults. Course work will give students experience analysing published research and writing a conceptual framework in preparation for their senior project seminar GER 040. Prerequisites: GER 206 or equivalent.
GER 302 Gerontology: Diversity & Aging: Families & Groups Lect: 3 hrs. In this course students will explore, cultural diversity in depth, and the experience and meaning of growing older within different cultural contexts in Canada. Other forms of diversity such as social class, gender, rural/urban and sexual orientation will also be addressed. Students will gain an expanded understanding and awareness of the variety of aging experiences and develop skills and sensitivity enabling them to work in a more understanding way with older adults from diverse backgrounds. Prerequisite: GER 010.
GER 303 Gerontology: Canadian Health Systems: Program Delivery Lect: 3 hrs. This course ex-plores the historic conceptualization and current organization of, and proposed changes to the Canadian health and health care delivery system. Focus will be placed on enhancing students’ understanding of the systemic requirements of an integrated, client centred health delivery continuum. A structural/functional analysis of the “system” specific to older adults will be developed throughout the course. Prerequisite: GER 010.
GER 304 Gerontology: Environmental Design Lect: 3 hrs. This course investigates the changes in the living environment and spatial planning required to accommodate the elderly. The primary focus will be on the design of housing for elderly, both individual and multi-unit and the environmental quality of its interior. The design implications of the quality interior space on the layout, equipment, furnishing and clothing will be investigated. The design criteria for the adaptable housing and living environments as well as criteria for independent and assisted living which allow the elderly to age in place, will be presented. Prerequisite: GER 010.
GER 401 Gerontology: Current Issues Lect: 3 hrs. This course will analyze a range of issues relevant to older adults. It will integrate research findings, policy, advocacy, and community responses and resources. Using an interdisciplinary per-spective, the course will involve university faculty and community professionals from many disciplines in the presentation and understanding of the course material.
GER 402 Gerontology: Current Issues: Advanced Lect: 3 hrs. This is an advanced issues course in gerontological study and practice. Each year one or more topics will be selected, from those identified in GER 401 Current Issues, or other current/emerging topics in the field for in-depth study and analysis. Students will explore this issue(s) from the perspective of integrating theory and practice with a strong focus on community service and community practice. Prerequisite: GER 401.
GER 403 Gerontology: Leadership: Working with Older Adults Lect: 3 hrs. This course explores the importance of understanding organizations and effective leadership in agencies and services for older adults. Theories of organizational behaviour will be combined with leadership theories to address issues of employee motivation, job design, diversity within an organization as well as in the older population being served, productivity in team work, effective organizational communication, team dynamics and power issues. The course will integrate theory and practice in the application of the material. Prerequisite: GER 202.
GER 404 Gerontology: Management: Older Adult Services Lect: 3 hrs. Effective management of services for older adults requires a knowledge of administrative and supervisory issues. This course will focus on the administration and management of agencies and organizations in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors. Students will gain understanding of how to formulate, develop and implement admin-istration policies including managerial accounting, human resources practices and the application of this knowledge within organizations related to older adults. Similarities and differences in applying this knowledge to the volunteer sector will also be addressed. Prerequisite: GER 403.