The Department of Sociology offers both a major and a minor in gerontology.  The Gerontology Studies degree is appropriate for those who wish to pursue employment or further study in issues dealing with aging.  The degree offers a wide array of choices for the future employment and study.  As the smallest major in the Department, students get the advantage of individualized attention and guidance. 

The Gerontology Studies major was formerly offered as the Adulthood and Aging major through the Life Course Studies Program.  The gerontology program can be enhanced through student participation in research and internship opportunities.

Gerontology Studies Major Requirements

Core Requirements (15-18 s.h.):

               SOCL 100                             Introduction to Sociology                                                      3 s.h.

               SOCL 233                             Aging, Generations & Society                                               3 s.h.

               SOCL 309                             Methods of Social Research                                                 3 s.h.

               SOCL 392                             Social Policy & Life Course Studies                                      3 s.h.

               Select one:

                              SOCL 390              Senior Seminar in Sociology                                                 3 s.h.

                              SOCL 397              Field Experiences in Sociology                                              0/3 s.h       

(or Prior Experience Waiver)

               PSYC 345                             Psychology of Adulthood & Aging                                         3 s.h.

(prerequisites: “C” or better in PSYC 100, 110 or STAT 101, 220 or SOCL 309, or instructor’s permission)

Related Courses (6 s.h.):

               PSYC 100                             Introduction to Psychology                                                   3 s.h.

               STAT 101                              Introduction to Statistics                                                      3 s.h.

Sociology Electives (9 s.h.):

  Select three:

               SOCL 231                             Comparative Aging: A Global Perspective

               SOCL 234                             Families & Aging

               SOCL 235                             Theories in Family Studies

               SOCL 256                             Sociology of Aging & Health

               SOCL 257                             Sociology of Health & Illness

               SOCL 294               Selected Topics in Sociology          

(May count depending on the topic and with the approval of the Chair)

               SOCL 397                             Field Experiences in Sociology (for a maximum of 3 s.h.)

(Cannot be used for both the core requirement and for elective credit)

               SOCL 399                             Independent Study in Sociology (for a maximum of 3 s.h.)

Interdisciplinary Electives (9 s.h.):

  Select three (must be from at least 2 different departments):

               ANTH 219             Anthropology of Death

               ANTH 232             Human Biology & Culture Change

        ANTH 236             Health & Healing in Cross-Cultural Perspective

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

               COMM 254            Intercultural Communication

               CONS 252              Personal Law

        FAMS 264              Adulthood & Aging

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

        FAMS 266              Adult Family Members in Transition

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

        NUTR 247              Nutrition Across the Lifespan

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

               PHIL 102                 Ethics

        PHIL 206                 Philosophy of Life & Death

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

               PHED 202              Current Health Problems & Issues

               PHED 330              Fitness-Lifestyle Components

               POLS 329               Public Policy

               PSYC 240              Developmental Psychology

               PSYC 260              Introduction to Social Psychology

Total hours: 39-42 s.h.

Some electives have prerequisites (check departmental listings), but the major can be completed using courses that have a prerequisite of 3 s.h. SOCL, a prerequisite of a particular standing (e.g. SoS) or no prerequisite.

Gerontology Studies Minor Requirements

Core requirements (9 s.h.):

SOCL 100                      Introduction to Sociology                                                      3 s.h.

SOCL 233                      Aging, Generations and Society                                            3 s.h.

(prerequisite: 3 s.h. SOCL)

SOCL 392                      Social Policy & Life Course Studies                                     3 s.h.

(prerequisite: JrS and 6 s.h. in Social Science)

Sociology Electives (6 s.h.):

  Select two:

SOCL 231                      Comparative Aging: A Global Perspective

SOCL 234                      Families & Aging

SOCL 256                      Sociology of Aging & Health

SOCL 257                      Sociology of Health & Illness

        SOCL 294                     Selected Topics in Sociology          

(May count depending on the topic and with the approval of the Chair)

SOCL 399                      Independent Study in Sociology (for a maximum of 3 s.h.)

Interdisciplinary Electives (6 s.h.):

  Select two (from 2 different departments):

ANTH 219      Anthropology of Death

ANTH 232      Human Biology & Culture Change

ANTH 236      Health & Healing in Cross-Cultural Perspective

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

COMM 254     Intercultural Communication

CONS 252      Personal Law

FAMS 264      Adulthood & Aging

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

FAMS 266      Adult Family Members in Transition

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

NUTR 247      Nutrition Across the Lifespan

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

PHIL 102        Ethics

PHIL 206                      Philosophy of Life & Death

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

PHED 202      Current Health Problems & Issues

PHED 330      Fitness-Lifestyle Components

POLS 329       Public Policy

PSYC 240       Developmental Psychology

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

        PSYC 260        Introduction to Social Psychology

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

        PSYC 345        Psychology of Adulthood & Aging

(prerequisite required, check departmental listings)

Total Hours: 21 s.h.

Some electives have prerequisites (check departmental listings), but the minor can be completed using courses that have a prerequisite of 3 s.h. SOCL, a prerequisite of a particular standing (e.g. SoS) or no prerequisite.

 ^{Program requirements are subject to change.  Please consult the Sociology Department for the latest requirements.  Requirements as shown in the Course Catalog take precedence over those shown here.}