Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE GER1008

 
TITLE Theoretical Issues in Ageing Policy

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Gerontology and Dementia Studies

 
DESCRIPTION The participants in this study-unit will first discuss through participatory lectures, group discussions and assignments how Population Ageing presents social, economic and cultural challenges to individuals, families, societies and the global societies. The second part deals with new approaches to the way that societies, workforces and social and intergenerational relations are structured to face these challenges and also take advantage of the opportunities resulting from this phenomenon. The Madrid Plan calls for changes in attitudes, policies and practices to ensure that older persons are not viewed merely as welfare beneficiaries but as active participants in the development process. A comparative analysis is made of the Welfare State and the Welfare Society ideology. The first was based on a monopolistic approach which created a dependence on the State. The second is based on a partnership in which the State, Civil Society, the Community, the Family and the Older Persons themselves each has an important role to play.

Study-unit Aims:

This study-unit starts by emphasising the urgent need for a radical change of perspective breaking the policy of segregation of older persons and replacing it with a strategy of participation. We need to have a new philosophy of ageing. We need to do away with our self-made barriers and obstacles towards older persons. The central focus of policy must be the integration of older persons into society. They want an increasing say in their lives. They want to be empowered to solve their own problems. We must build a broader base than the Welfare State ideology. The time has come for society as a whole, the general public, the local community, the family and the individual citizen, whether young or old, to carry out a radical change of perspective.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- demonstrate better the challenges and consequences of population ageing on every social institution;
- demonstrate the importance of empowering older persons so as to ensure their full participation in every aspect of life;
- argue the need of mainstreaming ageing in all facets of life; and
- discuss how the attitude of old age being a problem to society must not only be challenged but it must be eliminated.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- appraise different policies and welfare ideologies aimed at ensuring the quality of life and well-being in old age;
- illustrate how participation and engagement in later life should be the basis of contemporary social policies; and
- integrate the evolving process of population ageing within the larger process of development.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main text:
- Walsh, K., Scharf, T., Van Regenmortel, S., & Wanka, A. (Eds.) (2021). Social Exclusion in Later Life: Interdisciplinary and Policy Perspectives. (International Perspectives on Aging; Vol. 28). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-51406-8
- Formosa, M. (Ed.) (2019). The University of the Third Age and active ageing: European and Asian-Pacific perspectives. Springer.

Supplementary texts:
- Jamieson, A., Illsley, R., (1990). Contrasting European Policies for the Care of Older People, Avebury, Aldershot, ISBN 1-85628-035-7
- Troisi J., Formosa M. (2006). Supporting Family Carers of Older People in Europe. Lit Verlag, Berlin, ISBN 3-8258-9247-6
- United Nations (2003). Ageing Populations: Opportunities and Challenges for Europe and North America, New York, ISBN 92-1-116856-2
- United Nations (2003). Political Declaration and Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, New York
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), HelpAge International (2012). Ageing in the Twenty-First Century: A Celebration and A Challenge, Pureprint Group, UK, ISBN 978-0-89714-981-5
- Bond John, Coleman Peter, Peace Shiela (Eds) (1983). Ageing in Society, Sage Publications, ISBN 0-8039-8947-4
- United Nations (1983). Vienna International Plan of Action on Aging, Department of Public Information, USA, ISBN 88011724
- United Nations (2006). Guidelines for review and appraisal of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, United Nations, New York.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES This study-unit is only offered to students following the Higher Diploma in Gerontology and Geriatrics course.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Independent Study and Online Learning

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Online Moderated Discussions and Postings SEM1 No 20%
Assignment SEM1 Yes 80%

 
LECTURER/S

 

 
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The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit