Required Courses

GRN 501 (SOC 501) Aging and Society (3)
Study of age as a structural feature of changing societies and groups, aging as a social process, and age as dimension of stratification.

GRN 503 Investigative Inquiry in Gerontology (3)
Principles of quantitative and qualitative methods used in gerontological research and inquiry.

GRN 523 Physiology of Human Aging (3)
An overview of the aging process with special emphasis on anatomical and physiological changes that occur with human aging. Current theories as to the mechanisms of aging are considered. Premature aging diseases and age-related diseases are discussed. Student presentations required.

GRN 540 Current Issues in Gerontology
(3) Study of current issues and topics in the field of aging from an interdisciplinary and global perspective.

GRN 590 Practicum in Gerontology (3)
Prerequisites: GRN/SOC 501, PSY 524, GRN 523. A field experience designed to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to geriatric or gerontological practice. May be repeated once for credit. Six (6) practicum hours required for students without experience in the aging network.

GRN 598 Final Project in Gerontology (6)
Prerequisites: completion of 21 hour gerontology core degree requirements and permission of the GRN coordinator. Intensive study of an applied topic in gerontology selected by the student and approved by a committee of two gerontology faculty and a professional working for or with older adults. Includes definition of problem, review of related literature, methods statement, results and discussion of implications.  Oral presentation defending project is required.

PSY 524 The Psychology of Aging (3)
Prerequisite: Course in aging or gerontology or permission of instructor.  Advanced topics on the effects of aging on a variety of psychological processes including attention, memory, complex cognition, personality, mental health, and social support.

Electives:

GRN 518/SOC 518 Women and Aging
(3)Examines women’s experience of old age and the aging process with specific emphasis on family, medical, and economic institutions.

GRN 524 Literature of Aging (3)
Contemporary fiction and nonfiction are analyzed. Literary theories, literary criticism, and gerontological scholarship contribute to the interpretations. The texts’ ways of challenging our culture’s ageism are emphasized.

GRN 526 Psychosocial Adjustment to Retirement and Later Life (3)
A seminar focusing on the psychosocial aspects of retirement and post-employment years. Theories of aging and scientific inquiry applied to retirement, and their significant others.

GRN 544 Midlife Transitions for Women (3)
The interdisciplinary study of social construction of menopause and midlife as embodying a culture’s image of aging for women.

GRN 546 Health Care Access for the Elderly (3)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Gerontology.  An introduction to the US health care system with an emphasis on issues related to the elderly.  Problems of access to health care for the aging population, their families, and communities.

GRN 591 Directed Individual Research in Gerontology (3)
Prerequisites: GRN/SOC 501, GRN/PSY 502, GRN/BIO 523. Involves research in gerontology under faculty supervision beyond what is offered in existing courses. Requires consent of Program Director.

GRN 595 Special Topic Seminar in Gerontology (3)
Discussion of special topic related to gerontology. Topics change each semester. May be repeated for credit.

PSY 516 Adult Development and Life Transitions (3)
This course explores the major normative and non-normative changes that take place during adulthood.  Operating from a lifespan perspective, topics include an examination of how adults initiate, understand, cope with and resolve life transitions (i.e., parenting, loss, illness, career change, relationship change, etc.)

Additional course offerings through the North Carolina Gerontology Consortium.