Class Descriptions

Adulthood and Aging

SW690

Credits:	3
Prerequisites:	Foundation Essentials Required

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice	Elective
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political
Program Evaluation
Older Adults	Requirement (Host)
Children & Families

Course Description

This course focuses on bio-psycho-social development and changes in mid- and late-adulthood. It will cover six major areas. (a) Demographic trends globally and in the United States, (b) Major theoretical perspectives including the life course and life-span perspectives. (c) Biological and cognitive changes in the second half of life. (d) Common chronic conditions and their treatment in older adults. (e) Psychological and social development in mid- and late-adulthood. (f) Definitions and determinants of positive and healthy aging. Special attention will be paid to diversity and social justice issues, including similarities and differences in the experience of aging related to an individual's position in society (e.g., class, race/ethnicity, immigration status, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity), and institutional and social factors that marginalize some segments of the older population.

Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Assess impacts of demographic trends in the US in the coming decades. (EPAS 4)
● Apply theoretical concepts to understand adulthood development. (EPAS 7)
● Describe biological changes with aging and their health and social implications. (EPAS 6, 7)
● Differentiate normal cognitive change and cognitive impairment. (EPAS 6, 7)
● Analyze psychosocial theories of stress, coping and social relations in later life. (EPAS 4, 7, 8)
● Evaluate concepts of positive and healthy aging (EPAS 4, 6, 7, 8)
● Identify the major ways in which an individual's position in society and the key diversity dimensions affect development and change in mid- and later adulthood. (EPAS 6, 7, 8)
● Analyze the impact of the environment on the health of older adults (EPAS 3)
● Evaluate older adult’s physical environment and the impact of social isolation and socio- economic status through the lens of Universal Design. (EPAS 3)

Design

Class sessions will include lectures, small group and class discussions, audiovisuals, and guest speakers. These activities will be integrated at critical points in the semester to facilitate understanding of course content. Students are expected to attend all classes, complete assigned readings for each week, participate actively in class discussion, and complete all course requirements on time.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.

Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Education Description

ID/IPE content in SW690 supports students to understand and value the importance of interprofessional and interdisciplinary collaboration and teamwork in Social Work practice across a variety of populations, settings and roles.
Inclusion of ID/IPE content is supported by and directly relates to:
CSWE core competencies 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9


University of Michigan 5 IPE Core Competencies: (Values/Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication, Teams/Teamwork and Intercultural Humility) https://interprofessional.umich.edu/about/ipe-competencies-at-u-m/


This pathway required-course intentionally integrates interdisciplinary or interprofessional practice content including:
CSWE Competencies addressed in this course are: EPAS 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
IPE Core Competencies addressed in this course are: Values/Ethics, Roles and Responsibilities, and Intercultural Humility

ID/IPE content that will be addressed and evaluated in the following ways:
Interdisciplinary and/or interprofessional practice are required content areas in the course with integration of relevant required readings, class lecture and discussion including: guest speakers or lectures from various disciplines (e.g., social work, rehabilitation, nursing, geriatrics, neuroscience, biology, geography, public health); readings that encompass bio-psycho-social aspects of aging (e.g., biological aging theories, epigenetics, life span theory); and topics that are interdisciplinary in nature given its focus on the bio-psycho-social aspects of aging (e.g., chronic care model, health care, aging in place, support networks).
Students will be encouraged to actively contribute from their experiences, field placement practice, knowledge of readings, etc. to considerations of the impact of interdisciplinary and interprofessional care related to diverse populations and settings.