The Sociology of the Ageing Society – An introduction to the social, cultural, and economic analysis of ageing and social change, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

General entry requirements for undergraduate studies
and
English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (Engelska 6)
Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student will be able to: 

• describe and discuss key issues of the ageing society, the individual bases, societal foundations and relevant challenges of ongoing age-structural shifts as well as its relations to social, cultural and economic change from a social science perspective.

• reflect on problems of social and economic policies in the ageing society from an interdisciplinary perspective.

• discuss scenarios for future developments of the ageing society in an interdisciplinary perspective on social, cultural and economic change on the national, European and global level.

Course content

The course gives and introduction to the social science analysis of the ageing society. It will take a sociological micro- as well as a macro perspective and discuss the ageing society from the perspective of individual life as well as of social, cultural and political change in the 21st century. After an introduction to the basics of theory and demography of the ageing society, the course will address key challenges, research perspectives and policy prospects with a national and international focus.

Teaching and working methods

Teaching is through lectures, seminars, individual and group exercises and the corresponding scientific literature. Students will relate the course work to their existing knowledge base and to their overall study interests.

Examination

The course is examined through

• active seminar participation, grading scale: UG
• written assignments, grading scale: UG
• individual written essay, grading scale: UV

Active participation consists of presentations, assessment tasks and participation in the seminar discussion. Written examination is through an essay on a key course topic. To pass requires to be approved in all these fields. 

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department