Department of Gerontology

The small university of big opportunities.

Gerontology

COMMONCAREERS &GRADUATEPATHWAYS

STUDYING GERONTOLOGY At one time, talks of aging prompted images of failing health, isolation, and lack of purpose. Today, people are living longer, healthier, and more productive lives. Gerontology is the study of changes that take place in the process of aging. Studying Gerontology at St. Thomas, you will explore the impact of the way society defines aging and how individuals actually experience and understand their own later years.

You will examine aging from sociological, psychological, physical, spiritual, and philosophical perspectives. Courses focus on issues that concern older persons themselves, and range from an examination of health-care needs to the understanding of wisdom.

St. Thomas is also home to The Third Age Centre, an autonomous, community-based, non-profit organization to empower older adults to maintain healthy, independent, active lifestyles. The centre conducts research and public education on issues of particular concern to older adults. We are also affiliated with the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Narrative. Students are often invited to be involved in projects undertaken by these centres.

CRITICAL & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS The study of Gerontology will give you academic skills, as well as self-care and self-exploration strategies. You will learn how to conduct interviews with older adults. You will learn how to design recreation and educational programs for older adults. You will learn critical thinking as you explore controversial and ethical issues in long-term care, end of life, work life, as well as images in the media and popular culture.

RELATED AREAS OF STUDY As Gerontology draws on a number of disciplines, it is complemented well by areas such as Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Political Science, Sociology, and others.

Graduates from a Bachelor of Arts with a focus in Gerontology move in to a variety of careers that involve people—many involving vulnerable groups such as frail older individuals, that is, those facing illness or other difficult circumstances. Popular

careers include social work, government policy, research, medicine, nursing, senior centre administration, pastoral care, recreation therapy, private enterprise, occupational therapy, and more.

A NOTE FROM THEGERONTOLOGY DEPARTMENT Programs that provide opportunities for all of us to age meaningfully should

be an integral part of our health care and educational systems.

The exciting thing about teaching Gerontology, and that you will discover

as you participate in our courses, is how to better understand the many

changes that we all experience in the journey of our lives. These changes

include relationships, health, careers, and how we find meaning in life.

The knowledge you will take with you is both scientific and applicable to

everyday life. In particular, our focus on narrative Gerontology allows us all

to enter the fascinating world of learning how to understand our lives as

stories, and the creative ways that we can find meaning, even through loss.

- Dr. Gary Irwin-KenyonChair, Department of Gerontology

After your first year, you are able to focus on areas that interest you most.

SAMPLE UPPER-YEAR GERONTOLOGY COURSES

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

English Introduction to Literature 10:30-11:20

Philosophy Introduction to Western Philosophy 10:00-11:20


Philosophy Introduction to Western Philosophy 10:00-11:20


Sociology Introduction to Sociology12:30-1:20

Gerontology Introduction to Gerontology 1:00-2:20


Gerontology Introduction to Gerontology 1:00-2:20


Music Music, Theory and Performance 1:30-2:20



A liberal arts education is about providing knowledge, intelligence, and experiences that are broad in scope and deeply informative. In first year, you will take introductory

courses from five academic areas to ensure you are getting a well-rounded education. You will gain expert knowledge in your chosen field as you move through your degree.

FIRST-YEAR GERONTOLOGY

Visit the GERONTOLOGY page at stu.ca/gerontology Connect with the Gerontology Department at stu.ca/gerontology

Browse courses, learn more about the program, and apply!

Learn more about the educational philosophy at St. Thomas University and other offered programs at stu.ca/academics

Sample Student Schedule

Sociology of Aging

Death and Dying

Adult Psychopathology

Aging and Health

Aging and Spirituality

Recreation, Leisure and Aging

Gender and Aging

Images of Aging in Film

Counselling Older Adults

Family Ties and Aging

Critical Approaches to Nursing Homes

Aging and Tai Chi: Theory, Research, and Practice

(The following chart is to provide an example of what a typical course load looks like in your first year.)

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Department of Gerontology