UNO Gerontology Course Descriptions

Gerontology Course Descriptions

GERO 2000--Introduction to Gerontology--3 hrs.

An introduction to the field of gerontology and human development in later life; emphasis is on important elements of aging, such as socialization, family interaction, retirement, physical and psychological aging, and perceptions of older persons in contemporary society.

Prerequisite--None; Required of all Gerontology Undergraduates; (Offered every semester)

Dr. Julie Masters, Dr. Lyn Holley, Dr. Chris Kelly, Dr. Mary Bender, Dr. Amy Hanson, Tripp Moore, Priscilla Quinn, Karen Shaffer, Gina Wagner

GERO 3070--Death and Dying--3 hrs.

An interdisciplinary survey of literature in the field of thanatology with an emphasis on working with older patients and their families.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered every semester); (Cross-listed as HED 3070 with UNO Dept. of Health Education)

Dr. Julie Masters, Shandalee Ramet, Priscilla Quinn

GERO 4100/8106--Educational Gerontology--3 hrs.

An introduction to the field of education for and about aging. The institutions and processes of education will be analyzed to determine their relationships and values to persons who are now old and those who are aging.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered occasionally); (Cross-listed with UN-L College of Education and Human Sciences)

Staff

GERO 4350/8356--Issues in Aging: Controversies in Gerontology--3 hrs.

A study of the development of social controversies affecting society and older adults.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered occasionally)

Staff

GERO 4350/8356--Issues in Aging: Ethics in Gerontology--3 hrs.

An examination of the ethical problems in the field of gerontology, and an application of ethical theories to these problems.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered occasionally)

Staff

GERO 4350/8356--Issues in Aging: Nutrition and Aging--3 hrs.

Provides an understanding of the basic of good nutrition and the aging process.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered once a year)

Jean Decker

GERO 4350/8356--Issues in Aging: Politics and Aging--3 hrs.

An examination of the political process and its relationship to the older person. Specific objectives are: to examine the extent of the older person's needs in a local area; to examine the findings relative to political issues; and to determine the existence of an interest group that can transmit the needs to decision makers.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered occasionally)

Dr. Chris Kelly

GERO 4350/8356--Issues in Aging: Sociological Perspectives--3 hrs.

The goal of this course is to understand the impact of history, culture and social structure on the experience of aging; to understand old age within a life course perspective; to explore the social construction of age; to examine age as a basis of social differentiation and social ranking in American society; and to understand how age interacts with gender, class, and race/ethnicity.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered occasionally)

Dr. Kyle Kercher

GERO 4420/8426--Therapeutic Recreation Intervention and the Aging--3 hrs.

This course introduces the student to the field of recreation for the aging in nursing homes and community-based recreation programs. A portion of the course involves students visiting recreation sites.

Prerequisite--GERO 2000 or RLS 3500 or permission; (Cross-listed as RLS 4420/8426 with UNO Dept. of Recreation and Leisure Studies)

Dr. Frank Brasile

GERO 4460--Psychology of Adult Development & Aging--3 hrs.

The focus of this course is on the major social and psychological changes that occur as a function of aging. Both normal and abnormal patterns of developmental change are examined, along with their implications for behavior.

Prerequisite--Junior or Senior; Required of all Gerontology Undergraduates; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as PSYC 4460 with UNO Dept. of Psychology)

Dr. Karl Kosloski, Dr. Julie Masters, Dr. Sam Holley

GERO 4470/8476--Mental Health and Aging--3 hrs.

The goal of this course is to survey the mental health needs of older adults. Consideration is given to identifying both positive mental health and pathological conditions. Treatment interventions effective with older adults and their families are also discussed.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as PSYC 4470/8476 with UNO Dept. of Psychology)

Dr. Karl Kosloski, Dr. Sam Holley

GERO 4500/8506--Legal Aspects of Aging--3 hrs.

This course is conducted as a seminar with emphasis on student involvement in exploring legal issues and problems of the elderly.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered once a year)

Michael J. O'Bradovich, P.C.

GERO 4510/8516--Long-Term Care Administration--3 hrs.

An examination of policy, models, design, and other issues associated with the administration of community-based and institutional programs of long-term care.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as PA 4510/8516 with UNO Dept. of Public Administration)

Staff

GERO 4550/8556--Health Aspects of Aging--3 hrs.

The study of psychological, sociological, and physiological factors that influence the health of the aging, with particular emphasis given to biological changes that have implications for disease and health disorders.

Prerequisite--None; (Cross-listed as HED 4550/8556 with UNO Dept. of Health Education)

Dr. David Corbin

GERO 4590/8596--Disorders of Communication in Older Adults--3 hrs.

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the identification and symptomology and the basic assessment and intervention strategies associated with communication disorders that affect older adults and geriatric patients.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered occasionally); (Cross-listed as SPED 4590/8596 with the UNO Dept. of Special Education)

Staff

GERO 4670/8676--Programs and Services for the Elderly--3 hrs.

This course is provided to give the students an historical overview of programs for the elderly; examine the national policy process as it relates to the older American; and review the principles and practices relative to the existing national programs for the aged.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; Required of all Gerontology Undergraduates; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as PA 8676 with UNO School of Public Administration)

Dr. Lyn Holley, Dr. Chris Kelly

GERO 4690/8696--Working with Minority Elderly--3 hrs.

This course stresses practice applications with elderly persons who belong to an ethnic or racial minority group. (Serves as a Micro requirement for Social Work students.)

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as SOWK 4040/8046 with UNO Dept. of Social Work)

Dr. Lyn Holley

GERO 4750/8756--Mid-life, Career Change, and Pre-retirement--3 hrs.

An examination of mid-life as it applies to the concept of second careers, existing resources, and future of second careers; and the concept and practical implications of pre-retirement planning.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered occasionally); (Cross-listed as COUN 4750/8756 with UNO Dept. of Counseling)

Staff

GERO 4850/8856--Hospice and Other Services for the Dying Patient/Family--3 hrs.

This course is designed to involve students in the recognition of the fears, concerns, and needs of dying patients and families by examining the hospice concept and other services available in our community.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as SOWK 4850/8856 with UNO Dept. of Social Work)

Diane Hendricks

GERO 4920/8920--Special Studies in Gerontology--1, 2, or 3 hrs.

Special studies is designed around the interests and needs of the individual student in such areas as the psychology, sociology, economics, or politics of aging or the operation of various service systems. The study may involve either a literature review project or a field project in which experience is gained in the community identifying and analyzing needs and services related to older people.

Prerequisite--6 hours of gerontology or written permission of instructor; (Offered every semester)

All Faculty

GERO 4940/8940--Practicum in Gerontology--3, 6 hrs.

This course provides the opportunity for students to have field experiences; to obtain guidance concerning various relationships with agency, staff, and clients; and to develop a broadly based perspective on the field of aging.

Prerequisite--9 hours of gerontology and permission of instructor; (Offered every semester)

Dr. Julie Masters

GERO 4970/4980--Senior Honors Project/Thesis--3, 6 hrs.

An independent research project supervised by department/school faculty. The senior honors project must be approved by the CPACS honors Coordinator.

Prerequisite--Senior in Honors Program

All Faculty

GERO 4980/8986--Counseling Skills in Gerontology--3 hrs.

This course is intended to help develop basic counseling skills for application in Gerontology.

Prerequisite--Junior, Senior, or Graduate; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as COUN 8986 with UNO Dept. of Counseling)

John Atherton, M. S.

GERO 8356--Issues in Aging: Structural Equation Modeling--3 hrs.

Using a "hands-on" (applied) teaching method based on conceptual understanding and computer exercises, the course will provide an introduction to structural equation modeling and the related procedures of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis.

Prerequisite--Graduate; (Offered once a year)

Dr. Kyle Kercher

GERO 8730--Dying, Death and Grieving--3 hrs.

An examination of theory and research relevant to interaction with the older, terminally ill person. This course focuses on communication with widows and other survivors as well as the dying patient.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered occasionally); (Cross-listed as HED 8730 with UNO Dept. of Health Education)

Staff

GERO 8960--Directed Readings in Counseling and Gerontology--1, 2, or 3 hrs.

A directed reading course for those who wish to pursue further study in counseling the older adult.

Prerequisite--GERO or COUN 8986 or permission of instructor; (Cross-listed as COUN 8960 with UNO Dept. of Counseling)

Staff

GERO 8990--Thesis--1-6 hrs.

Independent research project required of all students working toward the Master of Arts in Social Gerontology degree.

Prerequisite--Permission of M.A. thesis committee

All Faculty

GERO 9020--Graduate Seminar in Statistical Applications--3 hrs.

Provides a grounding in statistical methods and data management used in behavioral research with an emphasis on special research issues with older populations.

Prerequisite--Permission of Instructor

Staff

GERO 9110--Applied Social Gerontology--3 hrs.

An overview of social gerontology with an emphasis on the interplay between social, psychological and physical elements in later life.

Prerequisite--Graduate; Required of all Graduate Specialists; (Offered once a year)

Dr. Lyn Holley

GERO 9460--Seminar in Aging and Human Behavior--3 hrs.

This course will examine in detail age-related changes in psychological processes and explore the implications of these changes for behavior. The course is intended primarily for graduate students in psychology and gerontology.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered once a year); (Cross-listed as PSYC 9460 with UNO Dept. of Psychology)

Dr. Karl Kosloski

GERO 9480--Geropsychology--3 hrs.

To become familiar with the psychology of aging from a research perspective. The focus will be on psychological research in the middle years and in later years.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered occasionally); (Cross-listed as PSYC 9480 with UNO Dept. of Psychology)

Staff

GERO 9560--Seminar: The Older Woman--3 hrs.

This course is designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the older woman. Primary focus will be directed towards an exploration of lifestyles, needs, and interests of women in the later half of life.

Prerequisite--None; (Offered occasionally)

Staff

The Gerontology Department at the University of Nebraska offers a number of gerontology courses on the UN-L campus on a regular basis. Please call (402) 472-6750 in Lincoln.

GERO 200--Introduction to Gerontology *--3 hrs.

GERO 307--Death and Dying *--3 hrs.

GERO 410/810--Educational Gerontology *--3 hrs.
(Cross-listed with UN-L College of Education and Human Sciences)

GERO 435/835--Issues in Aging *--3 hrs.

GERO 442/842--Therapeutic Recreation *--3 hrs.

GERO 446/846--Psychology of Adult Development and Aging *--3 hrs.
Prerequisite--PSYC 181 or GERO 200

GERO 447/847--Mental Health and Aging *--3 hrs.

GERO 455/855--Health Aspects of Aging *--3 hrs.

GERO 467/867--Programs and Services for the Elderly *--3 hrs.

GERO 469/869--Working with the Minority Elderly *--3 hrs.

GERO 492/892--Special Studies in Gerontology *--1, 2, or 3 hrs.
Prerequisite--6 hours of gerontology or written permission of instructor

GERO 494/894--Practicum in Gerontology *--3, 6 hrs.
Prerequisite--9 hours of gerontology and permission of instructor

GERO 873--Dying, Death, and Grieving *--3 hrs.

FACS 995--Doctoral Seminar --3 hrs.

FACS 999--Doctoral Dissertation --Variable hrs.

* See UNO course listing for course descriptions.

FACS 362--Adulthood and Aging--3 hrs.
Offered by UN-L Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences

The following course is offered by the Department of Internal Medicine:

IMED 709--Geriatric Subinternship I--4 hrs.

(Open to medical students only)

Jane Potter, M.D.

The following seven courses are offered by the College of Nursing and are open to nursing students only:

NRSG 460--Gerontological Nursing--4 hrs.