Summer 2006

ANTH 308: Culture and Aging

MH-287    MTW 6pm to 8:50 pm

Instructor:  Dr. Barbra Erickson                                 

Office:  McCarthy Hall (MH) 426-D  

Office Phone:  (714) 278-5697

Office Hours:  Mon & Wed 11am to 1pm, Tues & Wed 4 to 6pm, or by appointment

Email:  beerickson@fullerton.edu        

Required Textbooks:

(1)  Two Old Women, by Velma Wallis

(2)  Articles on E-reserve through Pollak Library

Course Description:

This anthropology course examines a natural part of life—aging—in terms of its cultural significance within various societies.  Although we often tend to think of the term “aging” as a reference to being elderly, aging is in fact an ongoing process, one marked by a series of particular times of life when social status, responsibilities, perceptions of self, and social roles change in some way.  In this course we will take a cross-cultural look at various aspects of the process of aging.

Prerequisite:

Any lower division Anthropology course; or a course in GE categories III B-2 or B-3, or III C-1 or C-2; or permission of the instructor. [Please ask me if you have any concerns.]

Culture and Aging as a General Education (GE) Course:

This course satisfies the requirements for GE Category IV (Lifelong Learning) and Category V (Cultural Diversity), and includes writing assignments as specified by UPS 411.201.  (A detailed description of how this course meets the learning goals for these categories may be found online at http://anthro.fullerton.edu/AnthroCourses.htm.  Select course and instructor to see syllabus; then scroll to end of syllabus for links to handouts).

Requirements for this Course:

 (1)  Short Papers (65 points):

There are two short papers required.  The first is a personal essay having to do with your own ideas about aging (15 points); the second is an essay about the book Two Old Women (50 points).

(2)  Article Summaries (90 points):

Nine articles (on E-Reserve) are assigned. Read these articles prior to class in the week assigned. Students will write one-page structured summaries for each article, due on the Wednesday of the week in which the article was assigned.  Exception: Summary of assigned article for Week 5 due on day of final exam.

(3)  Film Reviews (45 points):

Students are required to write a one-page structured summary for any 3 of the full-length films shown.

These summaries will be due on the Monday following the week in which the film was shown.  Exception: If you choose the last film (Week 5) the summary is due on the day of the final exam.

(4) Exams (200 points):

There will be one midterm (Monday 7/24) and one final exam (Wednesday 8/9).  Exams cover assigned readings, films, and class lectures/discussions.  Exam format will be part objective and part essay or short answer.  For each exam, please bring a Scantron (#882-E) and a small blue book.

(5)  Attendance and Participation:

Your regular attendance is expected, and is required on the day of the final. You are expected to have read the assigned chapters prior to the date specified, and be prepared to discuss the materials.  

Final Course Grade: Based on percentage earned of a total 400 possible points.

OTHER INFORMATION and POLICIES:

Handouts, assignment guidelines, extra copies of syllabus:  These materials will be posted online on the Anthropology Department Homepage http://anthro.fullerton.edu/AnthroCourses.htm. 

Makeup Exams:  Makeup exams are NOT automatically allowed.  Notify me in advance of the exam if you cannot take the exam at the scheduled time. Makeup exams will be allowed only for verifiable and unavoidable reasons. If allowed, makeup exam must be taken within one week of the scheduled test date. 

Assignments:  Late work is officially not accepted; however, at my discretion, I may accept late work at 5 points off per day late. Please do NOT email assignments unless you have made prior arrangements with me.  Please do NOT put assignments in my mail box, unless you have made prior arrangements with me. 

Academic Misconduct: Please consult the Student Handbook for University policies on academic misconduct. Examples include cheating on tests, or plagiarism [representing someone else’s work (including information from the internet) as your own, without acknowledgment].  Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated.  Violations will result in a failing grade for the assignment, or exam, and potentially a failing grade for the course.

SUMMARY of IMPORTANT DUE DATES

Assignment Instructions

General Guidelines

Format:

• All papers must be typed

• Use standard font (e.g. Times New Roman or Arial, etc.) and standard font size (10, 11 or 12)

• Multiple pages, if any, must be stapled in upper left corner

• Multiple pages must be numbered (do not number page 1)

• It’s OK to exceed the suggested number of pages

• Cover pages are NOT necessary for this class

Grading:

• Essays should be well organized, with a clear central idea, a introduction, and an appropriate conclusion

• Writing will be evaluated on content, quality of writing, thoughtfulness, clarity, and following directions!

• Points will be deducted for excessive spelling errors, grammar errors, and typos

• 5 points deducted for every day or partial day late

(1)  One-page personal essay

Instructions:  Write a personal essay about your own beliefs and feelings about aging.  For example:  What symbolizes aging to you? What do you think is positive about aging? What do you consider to be negative about aging? How “typical” do you think your views are?  No cover page is necessary. Please type and double space.

(2) Two Old Women essay

Instructions: Write this essay in a formal style, and write a minimum of 3 pages, type and double space. Please begin your essay with a brief synopsis or overview of the story, including the title and author of the book.  Then, discuss the following:  What cultural values, views of aging, stereotypes of aging, appropriate gender roles and age roles (and etc.) can you discern simply from reading this folktale? What cultural values would be passed on to young people hearing this story told? Add any other insights you took from this book.

 
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Download syllabus Microsoft Word (.doc) file. If you do not have Word, please use the Word Viewer.

Link to the additional materials:

• GE Learning Goals

• Baker

• Barusch

• Fry et al

• Luborsky

• Myerhoff

• Saitoti

• Shield

• Sillah

• Tsuji

• Study Guide for Midterm