Aging and Global Health in the Contemporary World

4.0 credits

Anyone can get old. Aging is not solely about older adults, but an issue with deep implications for the lives of individuals and families. This course introduces students to the key concepts, debates, and theories in the studies of aging. Using ethnographic cases in the Unites States, China, and other contexts, we will explore how economic, social, structural, and cultural factors shape the experiences and practices of aging. We will discuss connections between early-life experiences and later-life health and well-being. We will interrogate the assumptions and stereotypes about aging, the economic and intergenerational impacts of aging, common diseases and functional problems, and what roles family and community members play. Because of the multi-faceted nature of aging, this course will touch on a range of other important issues in medical anthropology as well, including care, chronic illness, mental health, and disability. Class materials include contemporary readings, films, documentaries, video clips, and newspaper articles. In addition to developing an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of aging studies, students will have a chance to learn ethnographic methods and conduct first-hand research on the cultural aspects of aging in their own communities.