Culture and Aging

3 units

This course provides an anthropological perspective on cultural and societal responses to the worldwide increase in numbers and proportions of longer-living adults. It also examines the experience and meaning of growing older within various cultural contexts. We will consider the impact of culture on a number of aging-related areas including: the demography of global aging; conceptualizations of the life course; processes of human development as reflected in life histories of persons from diverse cultures; definitions of successful aging; biological anthropology and aging; family and intergenerational relationships; health beliefs and perceptions of health and frailty; health care systems; perceptions and treatment of late life cognitive decline; gender differences; gerotechnology; globalization and aging; and end-of-life issues. Prerequisite: Two cultural anthropology courses; one anthropology course and one aging-related course; or instructor's written permission.