POLS 4710 - AGING POLITICS - FALL 2008 - SYLLABUS
Syllabus
Course Syllabus
Alan Schenker
alanschenker@gbis.com
My name is Alan Schenker. I taught as a regular faculty member in the UW Department of Political Science from 1970-2004, mostly in the areas of American government and public administration. During much of this time I was involved with the Master of Public Administration program in a distance education ("Outreach") setting, working off-campus with non-traditional students. I have special interest in the policy areas of Aging Politics and Intergovernmental Relations. During retirement, I have continued to be involved in UW Outreach teaching.
I have two grown children: Jeff and Natalie, residing in Michigan and California, respectively. Kate and I live in Reno, Nevada, where my interests (in addition to those pertinent to this course) include traveling, walking, photography and reading murder mysteries.
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Course Description
Topics in Aging Politics, Political Science 4710, is an on-line course addressing the governmental aspects of the increasing elderly population in the United States. To appreciate these issues we shall consider: aging from a gerontological perspective; demographics; public policy processes; and a variety of specific policy/issue areas, including: Social Security; health (especially Medicare); the Aging Network, housing; transportation; work/retirement (pensions, ADEA, senior employment).
Especially if this is your first on-line course, you may find it useful to review "netiquette" guidelines I expect all of us to follow. The purpose of these guidelines is to facilitate educationally pertinent and respectful communication. URL: www.albion.com/netiquette
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Course Objectives
The main objectives of Topics in Aging Politics are to:
- understand old age and the aging process;
- learn about shifting demographics, associated with the intersection of an historically low birth rate, declining death rate, and significant net immigration;
- examine the public policy processes pertinent to understanding how Americans address aging related issues;
- explore specific aging-related issues, including but not necessarily limited to Medicare, Social Security, housing, transportation, and social services for the elderly;
- project all the above into "guesstimates" about the near future
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Course Overview
Course Overview.
Unit 1 - INTRODUCTION - AUGUST 25-29, 2008
Students and Instructor will introduce themselves. Students will acquaint themselves with course features and requirements.
Unit 2 - SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY - SEPTEMBER 2-12, 2008
During Unit 2 students will be introduced to "social gerontology," technically "the scientific study of sociological phenomena associated with old age and aging." We are interested in the increased number of elderly persons in the population, and the social world (including but not limited to families) in which older people live, and cultural variations among components of the elderly population (for example, men/women, ethnic groups, etc.).
Unit 3 - DEMOGRAPHICS - SEPTEMBER 15-25, 2008
During Unit 3 we shall consider demographics as they relate to the aging phenomenon in America, including social and governmental policy implications..
Initial term paper assignment due no later than end of Unit 3. For details see separate section of this syllabus.
Unit 4 - PUBLIC POLICY & POLITICS - SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 7, 2008
During Unit 4, we shall consider the "public policy" and "politics" settings pertinent to an examination of the connection between aging and government. This will include some general exposure to the public policy process in the United States as well as more specific policy implications associated with aging.
"FALL BREAK" - OCTOBER 8-19, 2008
Unit 5 - SOCIAL SECURITY - OCTOBER 20-30, 2008
During Unit 5 we shall look at Social Security, the single largest governmental program in the United States as well as one that is the topic of much concern and numerous proposals.
Term paper "outline" due no later than end of Unit 5. For details see separate section of this syllabus.
Unit 6 - HEALTH - NOVEMBER 2-12, 2008
During Unit 6 we shall inquire into the intersection among health concerns, the elderly, and government in the United States. Medicare is a major national government program of significance but our investigation will also include a broad interest in "healthy aging."
Unit 7 - MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES - NOVEMBER 15-25, 2008
During Unit 7 we shall learn about: work setting / retirement / pension issues; housing concerns of the elderly; transportation concerns of the elderly; and aging-related social services.
Term paper brief memo-type report uploaded to Document Sharing due no later than end of Unit 7. For details see separate section of this syllabus.
THANKSGIVING BREAK - NOVEMBER 26-30, 2008
Unit 8 - WRAP-UP - DECEMBER 1-5, 2008
During Unit 8 we shall pull together course components through various cross-cutting perspectives as well as inquiring into the connections among topics previously we have previously studied separately.
Final term paper due to instructor (dropbox) no later than end of Unit 8. For details see separate section of this syllabus.
EXAMINATION PERIOD - DECEMBER 8-10, 2008
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Grading Policy
Grading Criteria
360 12 article summaries at 30 points each
400 8 threaded discussions at 50 points each
125 Term Paper (several components)
115 Final Examination
A 900-1000
B 800-899
C 700-799
D 600-699
F Less than 600
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Readings
READINGS:
Course readings may be found online on the course web site, under "doc sharing."
Reading Assignments by Unit follow. Note that the details of article summary assignments appear in a separate section of this syllabus.
Reading for Unit 1 - none
Reading for Unit 2
(1) Etzioni, "End Game," (Spring 2005) (9 pp) (article summary)
(2) Lawler, "The Caregiving Society," (Spring 2005) (6 pp) (article summary)
(3) Moody, AGING, 5th ed., "Basic Concepts I. A Life Course Perspective on Aging" (25 pp)
(4) Moody, AGING, 5th ed., "Does Old Age Have Meaning? (22 pp)
(5) Moody, AGING, 5th ed., "The Varieties of Aging Experience" (11 pp)
Reading for Unit 3
(1) Porter, "Not on the Radar: Illegal Immigrants are Bolstering Social Security" (3 pp) (Spring 2005)
(2) Administration on Aging (AoA), A PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS: 2007 (18 pp) (article summary)
(3) US, Federal InterAgency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, OLDER AMERICANS UPDATE 2006, Population: Six Indicators (10 pp)
(4) Wasow, "Disaster Ahead!..." (7 pp) (article summary)
Reading for Unit 4
(1) AARP, 2008 information sheet on pertinent public policy areas (3 pp)
(2) Hudson, "The New Political Environment in Aging ..." (7 pp) (article summary)
(3) Koff & Park, "AGING PUBLIC POLICY, Chapters 1-3 (74 pp) (article summary on CHAPTER THREE only)
Readings for Unit 5
(1) AARP, 2008 POLICY BOOK, material on Social Security (3-5 to 3-24)
(2) American Academy of Actuaries, AN ACTUARIAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE 2008 SOCIAL SECURITY TRUSTEES’ REPORT, May 2008 (8 pp)
(3) American Academy of Actuaries, SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM OPTIONS, January 2007 (27 pp) (article summary)
(4) The Century Foundation, "Social Security Privatization: Eleven Myths" (6 pp) (article summary)
(5) Munnell, "Social Security's Financial Outlook: the 2008 Report in Perspective," Center for Retirement Research, March 2008 (6 pp)
(6) (browse) Social Security Administration (US), 2008 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ... (227 pp)
Reading for Unit 6
(1) AARP, PUBLIC POLICY 2008, Chapter 6: read pages 6-3 thru 6-9 (7 pp) (AARP Principles + The Health Care System); browse remainder of chapter
(2) Lamm & Blank, "The Challenge of an Aging Society" (5 pp)
(3) Rosenblatt, "The Four Ages of Health Law" (13 pp) (article summary)
(4) US, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, "The National Report Card on Healthy Aging," 2007 (12 pp)
(5) US, Health & Human Services (HHS), "Medicare Basics," pp 5-8 in MEDICARE AND YOU 2008 (4 pp)
Reading for Unit 7
(1) (browse) AARP PUBLIC POLICY 2008, Chapters 7 (Long-Term Services and Supports), 8 (Housing), and 9 (Transportation)
(2) AARP, LIVABLE COMMUNITIES, read pages 6-4 thru 6-11 (8 pp); browse remainder
(3) Dychtwald, "Ageless Aging: The Next Era of Retirement" (6 pp) (article summary)
(4) Novelli, "Livable Communities" (3) (article summary)
(5) Thorson, "Economics, Work, and Retirement" (from AGING IN A CHANGING SOCIETY) (23 pp)
Reading for Unit 8
(1) Chapman, "Ethical Implications of Prolonged Lives" (18 pp) (article summary)
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Article Summaries
ARTICLE SUMMARIES
For each of the 12 so-designated reading assignments (available in Document Sharing), please submit (VIA THE DROPBOX) an article summary of approximately two pages. (Summaries of very short items - five pages or less - may be shorter.) Each summary will earn up to 30 POINTS. THESE ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE WHEN SPECIFIED. (Late submissions count only half of possible points. No article summary will be accepted more than two weeks late.)
In general, you will summarize the main points of the item, including adhering to any additional special instructions below, AND write a brief "personal stance" statement about an issue or topic in each reading.
Article Summary specifics In Syllabus Order:
UNIT 1 - NO ARTICLE SUMMARIES
UNIT 2 - You may submit Unit 2 article summaries in the order you choose.
First summary no later than September 5, 2008
Second summary no later than September 7, 2008
UNIT 3 - You may submit Unit 3 article summaries in the order you choose.
First summary no later than September 18, 2008
Second summary no later than September 20, 2008
Administration on Aging (AoA), A PROFILE OF OLDER AMERICANS: 2007. In your summary pick two or three major headings (marital status, living arrangements, income, poverty, housing ....) to focus on.
Wasow, "Disaster Ahead!..." What is the "disaster," what does Wasow have to say about, and why? What is your response? Please submit your article summary in the Unit 3 drop box.
UNIT 4 - You may submit Unit 4 article summaries in the order you choose.
First summary no later than September 30, 2008
Second summary no later than October 2, 2008
Koff & Park, "AGING PUBLIC POLICY, Ch 3 ("Historical Background to Aging Policy"). [note: summary only on chapter 3] Identify and review the major stages and developments in aging policy through the past several centuries. Please submit your article summary in the Unit 4 drop box.
UNIT 5 You may submit Unit 5 article summaries in the order you choose.
First summary no later than October 23, 2008
Second summary no later than October 25, 2008
The Century Foundation, "Social Security Privatization: Eleven Myths"Pick three or four of the "myths" for identification, discussion, and your evaluation. Please submit your article summary in the Unit 5 drop box.
UNIT 6 - Please submit Unit 6 article summary no later than November 6, 2008.
Rosenblatt, "The Four Ages of Health Law". Building on three "familiar models" of health law in America, the author suggests a "fourth age" may be developing. Briefly define the three models and then characterize-discuss the fourth "age." Please submit your article summary in the Unit 6 drop box.
UNIT 7 - You may submit Unit 7 article summaries in the order you choose.
First summary no later than November 18, 2008
Second summary no later than November 20, 2008
Dychtwald, "Ageless Aging: The Next Era of Retirement". What is "ageless aging" and what manner of rethinking does the author recommend with regard to old age and retirement? Please submit your article summary in the Unit 7 drop box.
Novelli, "Livable Communities". What are "livable communities"? Why are they important to the elderly? How can they be developed? Please submit your article summary in the Unit 7 drop box.
UNIT 8 - Please submit the Unit 8 article summary no later than December 2, 2008
(1) Chapman, "Ethical Implications of Prolonged Lives". The author contends that increasing average life-expectancies bring economic, health and environmental burdens which have profound ethical implications. Summarize the details of the authors argument and pick one or two major points on which to comment. Please submit your article summary in the Unit 8 drop box.
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Threaded Discussions
THREADED DISCUSSIONS
You are expected to participate in 8 threaded discussions, each worth up to 50 points.
Criteria: To receive full points for any threaded discussion you must:
(a) meet "first post" deadlines and to submit five or more posts on three or more separate days spread over the entire chronological period of the conversation.
(b) post consistently insightful comments, respond to others' comments, and offer questions that advance the conversation.
(c) If disagreeing with other group members' ideas, state your view clearly, yet politely.
DISCUSSION: GENERAL GUIDELINES
Discussion means interaction. Thus, chiming in once is not really conversing, but is simply a declaration. You will need to check into each threaded discussion several times, read posts, think about them, and then respond to others in the conversation.
UNIT 1 THREAD
Please make your First Post by AUGUST 25, 2008
All students should introduce themselves. In addition to your name (including what you like to be called), tell us about your personal and/or professional experience (especially if it connects to any part of our subject matter*), your geographical location, and other American government related course work you have pursued. Since this is a discussion, it is alright to renew or develop acquaintance by responding to other students' remarks.
* This does not just mean school courses and jobs, but may also include family and other experience with the elderly.
UNIT 2 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
In this thread I’d like us to share our experiences and ideas about aging and the elderly. If we bring rather distinct backgrounds and orientations to this topic, so much the better. If needed I'll offer a more specific idea of the wide range of material that is appropriate for this thread.
UNIT 3 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY SEPTEMBER 21, 2008
In this thread I’d like us to develop/share views related to the future foretold by demographic projections. These could include very personal perspectives such as the notion that Social Security will not be there for you when you want it, or whether when you are elderly your grown children will have an interest in you. The central theme here is to recognize that in the future the population will contain a higher proportion of older persons than it does today.
UNIT 4 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY OCTOBER 3, 2008
In this unit we move beyond the aging process and demographic projections to what our society can do to make a better future. But in aging, as in many other topics, much debate exists not only about what needs to be done but also who or which organizations should do it. Americans argue about proper roles for government and the private sector. In this thread I’d like us to develop/exchange ideas about the role of government in addressing aging issues. (Just by way of an example, you might feel that retirement pensions are an important issue and be very worried by the recent spate of corporate pension system bankruptcies. Therefore, you might be inclined to support a strong government role in regulating or even financing pensions.)
UNIT 5 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY OCTOBER 26, 2008
There is no need for extra definition on this thread. Social Security is a big topic these days, not only in our course. Chime in with your views about any aspect of Social Security and be prepared to read and respond to differing opinions.
UNIT 6 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY NOVEMBER 8, 2008
The biggest single government health program of importance to the elderly is Medicare, but aging-related health issues go beyond one program: The CDC publication, NATIONAL REPORT CARD ON HEALTHY AGING, includes perspectives which consider "health" as a condition distinct from "health care." Any topic within this broad area is appropriate for this thread: improving the health of our population so that the elderly years may be more active and involved; addressing cost (and coverage) concerns associated with Medicare, etc.
UNIT 7 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY NOVEMBER 21, 2008
In this thread I’d like us to address the AARP presented topic, "Livable Communities." One person’s "livable" community may not be as desirable in the view of another person. Also, "livable communities" are not only for the elderly. And there is more than one "model" of what such a community might look like. What features of "livable communities" do you find attractive-attractive, practical-utopian, etc.
UNIT 8 THREAD
PLEASE MAKE YOUR FIRST POST BY DECEMBER 1, 2008
I’d like this thread to be wide open (so long as it is Aging Politics related). We have considered many topics. Some may have been more important-interesting for some of you, different ones for other class members. This is a time to sound off. What topic (which topics) in Aging Politics is most crucial in your view, why is this so, how do you feel about it? I hope that from this discussion we shall all be reminded that we are quite different people, with distinct interests and concerns.
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Term Paper
TERM PAPER
Research Project (TOTAL: 125 POINTS).
Each student will conduct a research project to investigate an Aging program or issue near where you live. "Near" means you will be able to consult directly with responsible officials as one way you learn about the program or issue. NOTE: You will not prepare a traditional library research paper.
Research project assignments:
(A) One-two pages identifying the program or issue, proposing an outline for the project, and indicating anticipated main sources. Sources may include documents, prospective interviews, etc. DUE: VIA drop box no later than the end of Unit 3 (SEPTEMBER 25, 2008). (10 points)
(B) Outline and sources (You don't need Roman numerals and indentations - the outline may consist of a paragraph or two on each major section of the project.) This assignment should demonstrate that you have made substantial progress in shaping the project and have taken steps to develop sources. DUE: VIA drop box no later than the end of Unit 5 (OCTOBER 30, 2008). (25 points)
Two versions of final paper:
(a) 3-5 page* memo-type report. This is to share with the instructor and other students in the course. DUE: VIA SPECIAL DOCUMENT SHARING DIRECTORY no later than the end of Unit 7 (NOVEMBER 25, 2008). (30 points) BE SURE TO USE YOUR NAME AS PART OF THE WAY YOU IDENTIFY THIS UPLOAD.
(b) 15-20 pages* (complete paper). DUE: VIA drop box no later than the end of Unit 8 (DECEMBER 5, 2008). (60 points)
* Single-spaced, 1.5 inch margins, 12 point font - or equivalent
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Examination
There is only one examination: a "final examination" in which you will be responsible for all course materials. This will be a two-hour, single-access, on-line examination. You may access the exam only once and the web site then turns on a two hour timer. At the end of that time you may not write any more. (However, the instructions page PRECEDING the test questions may be accessed as often and for as much time as you wish.)
The exam will be essay, open-book and open-note, even "open Internet" (if you wish to look up additional materials). You should not share exam questions and responses with other students until after the conclusion of the semester.
You may access the exam anytime from DECEMBER 8-10, 2008
Therefore: (1) be ready to go when you access the exam; (2) while you may have text materials and notes with you during the exam, only if you have carefully read and studied the material are you likely to perform well on the essays within the time limit; (3) keep track of the time during the test. I suggest allowing LESS time per question than its points warrant, so you have time to review and edit.