Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - GERO 101 D100

Aging and Society (3)

Class Number: 3758

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Jun 20, 2025: Tue, Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Jun 24, 2025
    Tue, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces the social, psychological, and physical dimensions of aging. Largely based on the Canadian context, but will also include international research and knowledge. Students who have taken GERO 300 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

The aging of populations is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st Century.   This course explores the process of growing older and society’s response to the issues and challenges of aging.

 This multidisciplinary course will explore aging in terms of demographic change, its social, economic and cultural context, and how policies and health and welfare services have evolved to respond to aging populations. The course will comprise both lectures and class activities on different themes each week. While the focus will be on Canada, a global perspective will be an important feature. Key topics will include: ageism, healthcare, healthy lifestyles and active aging, housing and transportation, work and employment, technology, and community action. There will be an emphasis on using this knowledge to identify directions for innovation and positive change as we all grow older.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Course-Level Educational Goals:By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Understand the key challenges of aging in the 21st Century
  • Describe the psychological, social, political and economic implications of an aging population
  • Identify how diversity (e.g., gender and ethnicity) affects the experience of aging
  • Develop capacity to think, read and write critically

Grading

  • Course participation 20%
  • Midterm assignment 20%
  • Mini-project paper 40%
  • Final Exam 20%

NOTES:

Where a final exam is scheduled and the student does not write the exam or withdraws from the course before the deadline date, an N grade will be assigned. Unless otherwise specified on the course syllabus, all graded assignments for this course must be completed for a final grade other than N to be assigned. An N is considered as an F for the purposes of scholastic standing.

Academic Honesty and Student Conduct Policies: The Department of Gerontology follows SFU policy in relation to grading practices, grade appeals (Policy T 20.01) and academic honesty and student conduct procedures (S10-S10.05).  Unless otherwise informed by your instructor in writing, in graded written assignments you must cite the sources you rely on and include a bibliography/list of references, following an instructor-approved citation style.  It is the responsibility of students to inform themselves of the content of SFU policies available on the SFU website: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student.html.    

 

Centre for Accessible Learning: Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need classroom or exam accommodations are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (1250 Maggie Benston Centre) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.