Page 1 of 36
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE CODE: SOC 221: GERONTOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE
2013/2014 ACADEMIC YEAR, SECOND YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jamin Masinde, Mr. Moses Mutua, Mr. Micah Kipchirchir
COURSE CONTENT
The course is designed to equip the learners with knowledge about the dynamics of ageing and
old age in different contexts. It exposes the learner to concepts, perspectives and theories of
gerontology. It examines the norms, roles, power and status of older persons and the emerging
trends and issues in the rapidly changing social context in the family, community and society. A
brief exploration on the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of ageing and
emerging needs with specific reference to gender is done. Finally a review of policies, laws and
programmes affecting older persons in developing countries with specific reference to Kenya is
done.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
1. Introduction
The field of gerontology
(a) Understanding ageing and old age
(b) Importance of studying the ageing process
(c) Cross-cultural issues in ageing
2. Social Theories of Ageing
(a) Activity Theory
(b) Disengagement Theory
(c) Continuity and Stratification Age Theories
(d) Social Exchange theory
3. The biological and physiological context of ageing
The social consequences of biological ageing
E.g. sensory changes, vision, hearing, issues of health and health services and needs
, Page 2 of 36
4. The psychological context of Ageing
-Cognitive changes e.g. intelligence, learning, wisdom etc
-Personality and social adaptation
-Self concept, stress coping and adaptation
-Mental disorders
-Issues of love, intimacy and sexuality in old age
5. The social context of Ageing
-Issues of changing roles, power and authority in old age
-The role of social supports in old age e.g. family, neighbours and friends
-Childlessness and issues of widowhood in society
6. The societal context of ageing
-Issues of policy, legislation and programmes of the aged e.g. social security, pensions and
insurance
-Attitudes and abuse and negligence of the elderly in the family and society at large
7. The gender perspectives of ageing
READING LIST
1. Allegro V and Baxter P (1978): Age, Generation and time. Cambridge University Press.
London.
2. Worded D. S and Barren J E (Ed) (1980): Social Issues. Van Nostrand Company, New York
3. Brenda B (1985): Age Class System: Social Institutions and Politics Based on Age.
Cambridge University Press, London
4. Blake K and Bonehum M (1994): Age, Race and Ethnicity: A comparative Approach. Open
University Press, Buckingham and Philadelphia.
5. Cockerham W C (1982): Medical Sociology. Prentice Hall Inc. New Jersey.
6. Cox H (Ed) (1982): Ageing. Third Edition. The Dushkin Publishing Group Inc. Indiana.
, Page 3 of 36
7. Erickson E H and Erickson M (1986): Vital Involvement in Old Age. W. W. Norton and Co.
London.
8. Harris D K (1990): Sociology of Ageing. Harper and Row Publishers New York.
9. Hooyman N R and Kiyak H A (2007): Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective.
Third Edition. Allyn and Bacon. Boston.
10. Hobman David (1978): The Social Challenge of Ageing. Groom Helm, London.
11. Jamin R M Masinde (2012): Ageing and Old age: Social Dimensions and Experiences from
Kenya. Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany
12. Keith J (1982): Old People as Old People: Social and Cultural Influences on Ageing and Old
age. Little Brown and Company, Boston.
13. Masinde, Jamin Masasabi (2002): The social Dimensions of Ageing and Old Age.
Unpublished PhD thesis.
14. Masinde Jamin Masasabi (2009): Violence and Abuse among he Elderly in Kenya:
Experiences from Rural Communities. In Maarifa: A journal of Humanities and Social
Sciences, Moi University Press, Eldoret.
15. Tout Ken (1989): Ageing in Developing Countries. Oxford University Press New York.
16. Shanas Ethel (Ed) (1990): Ageing in Contemporary Society. Sage Publications, Beverly
Hills.
SIGNED: ________________________________ DATE: _______________________
Lecturer
SIGNED: __________________________ DATE: __________________
HOD, SOCIOLOGY
, Page 4 of 36
INTRODUCTION
Gerontology – Is the scientific study of the sociological and psychological aspects of aging that
the problems of the age.
It is the study of biological, psychological and social effects of aging.
Gerontology is therefore a multidisciplinary study, human life is not similar it is multiple in
nature.
It is concerned with the impact in human biological, psychological and social system on the lives
of human beings and obtaining of social structure.
It focuses on the social attitudes towards the aging process.
Aging is one important aspect of socialization. It is a long process through which one individual
learns the cultural norms and values of a particular society. Gerontologists rely heavily on
sociological principles and theories to explain the impact of aging on the individual and society.
Gerontology examines how society values it overpopulation, as people grow under society itself
changes at the same time and so does the very meaning of being old.
As one grows old , he or she may be excluded from the society. Gerontology also examines how
society values the youths and the old. Gerontology focuses on 3 aspects; - gerontology as a
discipline is the study of aging process and as they operate in the society.
i. It focuses on physical, mental and social thinking of individuals and behaviour
ii. It investigates those impacts in the society
iii. It is preoccupied with the application of the knowledge gathered
WHY HAS GERONTOLOGY DEVELOPED
1. Because of the increasing longevity of the aging process
2. Because of the gender perspective
3. Changing patterns of societal functioning
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY/PSYCHOLOGY
COURSE CODE: SOC 221: GERONTOLOGY
COURSE OUTLINE
2013/2014 ACADEMIC YEAR, SECOND YEAR, SECOND SEMESTER
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Jamin Masinde, Mr. Moses Mutua, Mr. Micah Kipchirchir
COURSE CONTENT
The course is designed to equip the learners with knowledge about the dynamics of ageing and
old age in different contexts. It exposes the learner to concepts, perspectives and theories of
gerontology. It examines the norms, roles, power and status of older persons and the emerging
trends and issues in the rapidly changing social context in the family, community and society. A
brief exploration on the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of ageing and
emerging needs with specific reference to gender is done. Finally a review of policies, laws and
programmes affecting older persons in developing countries with specific reference to Kenya is
done.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED:
1. Introduction
The field of gerontology
(a) Understanding ageing and old age
(b) Importance of studying the ageing process
(c) Cross-cultural issues in ageing
2. Social Theories of Ageing
(a) Activity Theory
(b) Disengagement Theory
(c) Continuity and Stratification Age Theories
(d) Social Exchange theory
3. The biological and physiological context of ageing
The social consequences of biological ageing
E.g. sensory changes, vision, hearing, issues of health and health services and needs
, Page 2 of 36
4. The psychological context of Ageing
-Cognitive changes e.g. intelligence, learning, wisdom etc
-Personality and social adaptation
-Self concept, stress coping and adaptation
-Mental disorders
-Issues of love, intimacy and sexuality in old age
5. The social context of Ageing
-Issues of changing roles, power and authority in old age
-The role of social supports in old age e.g. family, neighbours and friends
-Childlessness and issues of widowhood in society
6. The societal context of ageing
-Issues of policy, legislation and programmes of the aged e.g. social security, pensions and
insurance
-Attitudes and abuse and negligence of the elderly in the family and society at large
7. The gender perspectives of ageing
READING LIST
1. Allegro V and Baxter P (1978): Age, Generation and time. Cambridge University Press.
London.
2. Worded D. S and Barren J E (Ed) (1980): Social Issues. Van Nostrand Company, New York
3. Brenda B (1985): Age Class System: Social Institutions and Politics Based on Age.
Cambridge University Press, London
4. Blake K and Bonehum M (1994): Age, Race and Ethnicity: A comparative Approach. Open
University Press, Buckingham and Philadelphia.
5. Cockerham W C (1982): Medical Sociology. Prentice Hall Inc. New Jersey.
6. Cox H (Ed) (1982): Ageing. Third Edition. The Dushkin Publishing Group Inc. Indiana.
, Page 3 of 36
7. Erickson E H and Erickson M (1986): Vital Involvement in Old Age. W. W. Norton and Co.
London.
8. Harris D K (1990): Sociology of Ageing. Harper and Row Publishers New York.
9. Hooyman N R and Kiyak H A (2007): Social Gerontology: A Multidisciplinary Perspective.
Third Edition. Allyn and Bacon. Boston.
10. Hobman David (1978): The Social Challenge of Ageing. Groom Helm, London.
11. Jamin R M Masinde (2012): Ageing and Old age: Social Dimensions and Experiences from
Kenya. Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany
12. Keith J (1982): Old People as Old People: Social and Cultural Influences on Ageing and Old
age. Little Brown and Company, Boston.
13. Masinde, Jamin Masasabi (2002): The social Dimensions of Ageing and Old Age.
Unpublished PhD thesis.
14. Masinde Jamin Masasabi (2009): Violence and Abuse among he Elderly in Kenya:
Experiences from Rural Communities. In Maarifa: A journal of Humanities and Social
Sciences, Moi University Press, Eldoret.
15. Tout Ken (1989): Ageing in Developing Countries. Oxford University Press New York.
16. Shanas Ethel (Ed) (1990): Ageing in Contemporary Society. Sage Publications, Beverly
Hills.
SIGNED: ________________________________ DATE: _______________________
Lecturer
SIGNED: __________________________ DATE: __________________
HOD, SOCIOLOGY
, Page 4 of 36
INTRODUCTION
Gerontology – Is the scientific study of the sociological and psychological aspects of aging that
the problems of the age.
It is the study of biological, psychological and social effects of aging.
Gerontology is therefore a multidisciplinary study, human life is not similar it is multiple in
nature.
It is concerned with the impact in human biological, psychological and social system on the lives
of human beings and obtaining of social structure.
It focuses on the social attitudes towards the aging process.
Aging is one important aspect of socialization. It is a long process through which one individual
learns the cultural norms and values of a particular society. Gerontologists rely heavily on
sociological principles and theories to explain the impact of aging on the individual and society.
Gerontology examines how society values it overpopulation, as people grow under society itself
changes at the same time and so does the very meaning of being old.
As one grows old , he or she may be excluded from the society. Gerontology also examines how
society values the youths and the old. Gerontology focuses on 3 aspects; - gerontology as a
discipline is the study of aging process and as they operate in the society.
i. It focuses on physical, mental and social thinking of individuals and behaviour
ii. It investigates those impacts in the society
iii. It is preoccupied with the application of the knowledge gathered
WHY HAS GERONTOLOGY DEVELOPED
1. Because of the increasing longevity of the aging process
2. Because of the gender perspective
3. Changing patterns of societal functioning
