SENATE DOCUMENT #2

                              (APC Document #1)
                                   1984-85


The Academic Policies Committee recommends the following changes in the          
Department of Sociology.

1.  The addition of two new courses

Sociology 344  Counseling the Older Adults and Their Families (3)

Initially, challenges facing the older adults and their families are reviewed.
Then counseling skills for assessing problems and resources along with the 
skills needed to plot lines of action and referral are taught to the student.

Rationale Sociology 344

The elderly are a heterogeneous substrata of our population and the aging 
experience varies.  Learning to accurately assess each older adult's unique
situation is important for the student pursuing a career working with the aged.

Sociology 363  Health and Aging (3)

Basic aspects of health and health care for the older adults are considered,
in order that the student obtain a fundamental knowledge of the health issues
associated with aging.  Topics covered include senescence vs. diseases of old
age, mental health, nutrition, medications, and long-term care.

Rationale Sociology 363

Health and its impact on other segments of life is a major force in late life.
The course is not designed to produce practitioners, rather to sensitize 
students to the issues surrounding and affecting health in later life.

Rationale

The addition of Sociology 344 and 363 will add breadth to the gerontological
program.  These courses also serve the needs of the students in our program,
especially those in or pursuing a career in the health and human service 
fields.

2.  The inclusion of these new courses as electives within the Gerontology 
    track.  Changes are underlined.

Program D - Gerontology                                 84-86 Catalog Page 183

   I.  Required courses in the major - 36 hours, including 100, 210, 225, 355,
       356, 420, 450, 451, and 12 semester hours of career-oriented electives
       chosen from the following:  223, 333, 343 OR 344, 362 OR 363, or 
       approved Special Topics courses.



  II.  Required courses outside the major - 6 semester hours in other 
       disciplines dealing with aging, death, and dying.

 III.  Foreign language requirements - foreign language options for non-science
       majors are allowed (see All-University Requirements).

  IV.  Special departmental requirements - a 2.5 average in 223, 333, 343 OR 
       344 and 362 OR 363, and a C in each of 355-356, 420, and 450 satisfies
       the senior demonstration of competency.  For those who fail to meet the
       above criteria, a C+ performance on an individualized comprehensive 
       examination will satisfy the competency requirement.

3.  A "Certificate in Gerontology" defined as follows:

Certificate in Gerontology is awarded to students who complete with a 2.5 
average on this work, the 12 semester hours of career oriented electives
outlined above, and the six semester hours required outside the major.

Rationale:  This Certificate is now being given.  This request is
	    being made so the Certificate can be included in the
            Catalog.  It is similar to the Certificate in Health
            Care Management being given by the Department of Management.