Anthropology of Aging

3 Units

Biological aging is a universal reality. However, sociocultural, economic, politically, and technological factors may shape how growing old can be differentially experienced. In this course, we will study the aging experience from a cross-cultural perspective. We will discuss topics such as medicalization of the aging body, elder care and government responses to population aging, political economy of the aging experience, the role of technology in elder care, death and dying, as well as ageism in our society. Beliefs and practices surrounding aging is a fundamental component of every society. Studies of the aging experience offer a valuable lens through which to understand issues such as family and gender relations, social inequality, state governance, and discrimination and social injustice. Offered as ANTH 304 and ANTH 404 . Counts as a Human Diversity & Commonality course.