- An examination of representations of ageing in:western social, political and philosophical thought; social policy; medicine;art;fashion;advertising; literature.

- An examination of the tension between discourses of age and the experience of age together with the interactions between the multiple definitions of age understood in chronological, biological, cultural, psychological, social and statistical terms.

- To discuss sociological approaches to ageing including new developments in theoretic

- To discuss sociological approaches to constructing and reconstructing age categories including childhood, adolescence, teenage, mid-life, the third and fourth age

- To use personal reflections and data gathering to explore individual experiences of ageing through the life course.

(LO1) Demonstrate an understanding of current sociological debates on the study of ageing.

(LO2) Demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate empirical evidence pertaining to ageing as a social, cultural and historical construction.

(LO3) Demonstrate an ability to link experience with theory and policy by critically reflecting on social and cultural attitudes towards ageing through the life course from one’s own situated viewpoint

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)

(S2) Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation

(S3) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Listening skills

Lecture and Seminar: Theoretical approaches to ageing

Lecture and Seminar: Gender studies as a paradigm for age studies

Lecture and Seminar: Ageing through the life course: childhood, adolescence, middle age, the thiourth ages

Workshop: literary, film and photographic approaches to ageing over the life course. Lecture and seminar: Ageing and identity

Workshop: autobiographical reflection and discussion of age diaries

Lecture and Seminar: Embodiment over the life course

Lecture and Seminar: Health, illness, wellbeing and old age

Lecture and workshop: Presentation of the ageing body – aesthetics, fashion, normalization and empowerment.

Lecture and Seminar: Transitions and generations

Lecture and Seminar: Cultures of youth: is it easy to be young?

Lecture and Seminar – Towards a reformulation of social theory

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Hybrid - asynchronous pre-recorded lectures
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: The primary purpose of lectures is to provide students with a broad introduction to key areas and debates. Further independent study, aided by independent reading as suggested in the module guide ,will deepen understanding of these issues

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: Face to face synchronous seminars, safety permitting
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Seminars provide opportunities to explore particular issues and debates in greater detail in a way that supplements and builds upon the lectures. Seminars also allow for greater levels of student participation and such participation will be actively encouraged throughout the module.

Teaching Method 3 - Tutorial
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Individual tutorials will be added to the timetable in week 11 whereby students can have individual discussi ons regarding essay assignments

Teaching Method 4 - Workshop
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Workshops (2 x 2hours, 1x 1 hour) Workshops will focus on primary research and empirical data and will provide an opportunity for students to present their own work to the group and share ideas that involve not just familiarity with the academic literature but personal reflection/observation. In this respect they will build on both the seminars and lectures.

Skill/Other Attribute 1:
"Communication (oral, written and visual) - Listening skills"
How this is developed:
"lectures"

Skill/Other Attribute 2:
"Critical thinking and problem solving - Evaluation"
How this is developed:
"Workshops"

Skill/Other Attribute 3:
"Communication (oral, written and visual) - Academic writing (inc. referencing skills)"
How this is developed:
"Seminars"