Aging Education in a Global Context

A selection of proceedings from the 2004 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education annual conference

Aging Education in a Global Context is a carefully considered set of papers based on selected proceedings from the 2004 Association for Gerontology in Higher Education annual conference. Each forward-thinking presentation provides unique perspectives on teaching resources and education, presenting a wellspring of creative ideas for new and experienced teachers in gerontology and aging education. Respected educators present cutting-edge concepts and effective strategies in gerontology curriculum development and cross-cultural perspectives for advancing gerontology as a field of study.

Over the next twenty years, the world's aging population will increase dramatically, requiring increased attention to global aging issues. To prepare gerontologists around the world for future challenges, Aging Education in a Global Context provides educators with fresh viewpoints and practical information on which to base the latest teaching strategies. Each presentation provides a multitude of valuable ideas perfect for incorporating into aging education curriculums, such as how to use films and literature for teaching about aging, how to enfold global perspectives into aging courses, and how to avoid cross-cultural misunderstandings when teaching gerontology in a host country. This invaluable resource is extensively referenced.

Aging Education in a Global Context examines aging education, issues, and ageism topics such as:

• the consequences of globalization for older people
  
• a course design incorporating cross-cultural, anthropological approaches to understanding aging
  
• an approach to teach about death and dying through the cross-cultural viewpoint of various religious faiths
  
• a study of fourteen international films that provides gerontologists with models of successful aging to pass on in coursework
  
• teaching cross-cultural aging using Chilean literary portrayals of elders
  
• the evolution and present state of gerontology education in Japan
  
• gerontology research and cooperative education in Kenya
  
• educating about community-based long-term care in China
  
  

Aging Education in a Global Context presents a wealth of new ideas for all gerontology educators and educators addressing cross-cultural aging issues within discipline-based courses in sociology, social work, anthropology, public policy, and psychology.