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The Gerontology Minor
Requirements for the minor in Gerontology: 18 s.h. including GRN 301 and 345; SWK 235, GRN 450 or 470; and 6 s.h. from one of the following: SWK 302, SOC 305, SWK 315, SWK 380, or SOC 388
A student doing a senior level internship in social work may substitute that course for GRN 450 or 470 if it focuses on senior adults and meets the approval of the Coordinator of the Gerontology Program.
GERONTOLOGY COURSES
GRN 301 INTRODUCTION TO GERONTOLOGY (3 s.h.)
Aging, including historical perspectives; demographic trends; psychological
and physiological processes of later life; and social role behavior in
such areas as retirement, politics, religion, family life, housing, death,
and dying. Cross listed as SOC 301 and SWK 301. This course is offered
as needed.
GRN 305 DEATH AND DYING (3 s.h.)
Personal and societal reaction to death with emphasis on euthanasia and
suicide and the experience of the dying individual in relation to self,
family, and care-providing institutions. This course is offered as needed.
Cross listed as SOC 305 and SWK 305.
GRN 345 PHYSIOLOGY OF AGING (3 s.h.)
This course will examine changes with aging in various body systems, diseases
found primarily among the aging, and maintenance of health in aging, especially
through nutrition and exercise programs. Prerequisite: SWK 235 or BIO
306. Cross listed as SOC 345 and SWK 345. This course is offered as needed.
GRN 380 SOCIAL WORK WITH OLDER ADULTS (3 s.h.)
This course provides foundation knowledge and skills for working with
older individuals, their families, and the community. Skills in helping
such as interviewing, assessment and planning, intervention and evaluation,
are presented and practiced as applicable to older adults. Systems providing
services to older adults such as income maintenance, health care, nutrition,
housing, mental health, social and institutional care are presented. Students
learn strategies to act as advocates and change agents on behalf of older
adults. Prerequisites: SWK 231 and GRN 301. This course is offered as
needed. Cross listed as SWK 380.
GRN 450 RESEARCH SEMINAR (3 s.h.)
Students will design and conduct a research project on some aspect of
aging. Prerequisites: Senior standing, completion of 12 s.h. within the
Gerontology Program including GRN 301, and consent of the instructor.
Cross listed as SOC 450. This course is offered as needed.
GRN 470 INTERNSHIP (3 s.h.)
Student placement in an approved community setting for supervised learning
experience. Minimum requirements of 100 hours in the agency and a weekly
on-campus seminar. Prerequisites: senior standing, completion of 12 s.h.
within the Gerontology Program including GRN 301, and consent of the instructor.
Cross listed as SOC 470. This course is offered as needed.
