Aging and Longevity Studies Courses (ASP)

ASP Courses

This is a list of courses with the subject code ASP. For more information, see Aging and Longevity Studies (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the catalog.

ASP:1000 First-Year Seminar 1 s.h.

Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Requirements: first- or second-semester standing.

ASP:1800 Aging Matters: Introduction to Gerontology 3 s.h.

Overview of the field of gerontology from a bio-psycho-social framework; how the human body and brain age, effects of these biological changes on physical and cognitive functions, and interaction of these individual factors with societal contexts; broad perspective to give students a foundation in gerontology, paving the way for more advanced courses in biology of aging, psychology of aging, and global aging; for students from a wide range of disciplines and levels, no prior knowledge of aging required. GE: Social Sciences. Same as CSD:1800, NURS:1800, SSW:1800, TR:1800.

ASP:2000 Big Ideas: Creativity for a Lifetime 3 s.h.

Exploration of what senior artists can teach about creativity and aging; interdisciplinary project-based collaborative learning opportunities that consider role of arts and creativity across a lifespan; essential skills necessary to be professionals in numerous careers including health, social work, education, humanities, and the arts; identification of ways for students to be more creative in their own lives and work. GE: Values and Culture. Same as ARTS:2000, EDTL:2000, RHET:2000.

ASP:2181 The Anthropology of Aging 3 s.h.

Comparative anthropological perspective on aging; ethnographies from diverse contexts used to examine intersections of kinship, religion, health, and medicine in later life. Same as ANTH:2181, GHS:2181.

ASP:2265 Hard Cases in Healthcare at the End of Life 3 s.h.

Preparation for future healthcare providers to make difficult ethical decisions regarding the end of life; interactive course. Same as GHS:2265, RELS:2265.

ASP:3135 Global Aging 3 s.h.

Demographic factors that contribute to the worldwide phenomena of population aging in context of WHO Active Aging and the United Nation's Principles for Older Persons frameworks. Same as GHS:3050, SSW:3135.

ASP:3150 Psychology of Aging 3 s.h.

The later years of human life viewed from perspectives of developmental psychology, biology, sociology.

ASP:3151 The Anthropology of the Beginnings and Ends of Life 3 s.h.

Examination of diverse understandings of birth and death, drawing on anthropological analysis of personhood, kinship, ritual, and medicine; how social inequality and new technologies shape human experience at life's margins. Prerequisites: ANTH:1101 or ANTH:2100. Same as ANTH:3151, GHS:3151.

ASP:3152 Anthropology of Caregiving and Health 3 s.h.

Diverse understandings and practices of care around the world; focus on relationships between caregiving practices and health across the life course. Same as ANTH:3152, GHS:3152.

ASP:3160 Biology of Aging 3 s.h.

Biogerontology; definition of aging and senescence, biological theories of aging, demographics, model systems foraging, premature aging syndromes, aging of organ systems in humans.

ASP:3170 Health and Aging 3 s.h.

Lifespan approach to understanding human biological development with emphasis on the experience of older adulthood and health; key concepts and how they are measured, including health promotion, wellness, and optimal aging. Recommendations: ASP:1800.

ASP:3400 Film, Media, and Aging 3 s.h.

Examination of trends in the way that aging and older adulthood are portrayed in film and other media.

ASP:3519 Politics of Aging 3 s.h.

Core concepts and methods related to aging and policies that address the needs of older persons; demographic measures of population health and aging, including incidence and distribution of specific conditions relevant in older age; theories of public policy and involvement of older persons in the political process; key historical and current policies, at both the federal and state/local levels, that influence service provision and the well-being of older persons in the United States. Same as POLI:3519.

ASP:3740 End-of-Life Care for Adults and Families 3 s.h.

End-of-life issues in care of adults, older adults, and their families. Same as MED:3740, NURS:3740.

ASP:3786 Death/Dying: Issues Across the Life Span 3-4 s.h.

Introduction to the field of end-of-life care; examination of student concerns about death, dying, and grieving process; historical, cultural, societal, and personal perspectives of death and dying in modern society. Same as SSW:3786.

ASP:3900 Independent Study in Gerontology arr.

Individual projects and/or research.

ASP:3920 Service Learning in Aging Studies 1-3 s.h.

Experiential learning in settings with older adults. Corequisites: ASP:1800, if not taken as a prerequisite.

ASP:4165 Communication Disorders and Aging 1-2 s.h.

Introduction to speech, language, and hearing processes and disorders among older adults; survey of characteristics of communication and communication breakdown, remediation, and strategies for improving communication with older adults with communication disorders; primarily for majors and other health care service providers. Same as CSD:4165.

ASP:4190 Aging Studies Internship and Seminar 3 s.h.

Opportunities for students in various disciplines to relate their areas of study to older adults and aging; interdisciplinary relationships, approaches to meeting needs of older adults; an online seminar that meets regularly is included in this experience. Same as SSW:4190.

ASP:4470 Physiology of Aging 3 s.h.

Aging's effects on cells, tissues, and organs; how aging influences function of major body organ systems and the whole organism; physiological mechanisms that underlie age‑related changes in body function and performance; integrative approach with focus on human aging. Prerequisites: HHP:3500 or HHP:3550. Same as HHP:4470.

ASP:5401 The Care of the Frail Elderly 3 s.h.

Clinical management of the elderly; emphasis on economic considerations, principles of gerontological care, common syndromes, ethical issues; clinical application experience in a long-term care setting. Prerequisites: NURS:5035. Corequisites: NURS:6200 and NURS:6701. Same as NURS:5401.

ASP:5750 Medicare and Medicaid Policy 3 s.h.

Health policies most pertinent to Americans over age of 65. Same as HMP:5750.

ASP:6000 Graduate Gerontology Capstone 3 s.h.

Review of core concepts as identified by the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) in the form of core competencies; students engage in discussions related to gerontological ethical issues at individual, family, and societal levels; receive guidance in developing and writing a major research paper relevant to their field; and engage in discussions related to uses of their gerontological knowledge in terms of looking for a job or pursuing further education.