Literature and Gerontology
What you'll learn
- demonstrate an understanding of the theme of ageing in literature
- illustrate the significance of the literary expressions of the ageing process
- develop critical thinking over the concerns of ageing and empathy for older adults
- examine different perspectives on ageing
Requirements
- No educational prerequisite
- No age limit
Description
Welcome to this course!
Ageing is an unavoidable part of human life and a proper perspective concerning old age is essential at an individual level and in the society at large. Studying the representation of ageing in literature and juxtaposing it with perspectives from other disciplines, offers a creative and engaging way to affect an individual's civic responsibility and most importantly aid in whole person development of the learner. We are glad that you took this step to learn more about ageing. We can assure you that your view of ageing will undergo a change for the better, as you journey through this experience. Happy learning!
The course is part of the project, “An Interdisciplinary Asynchronous Course on Literature and Gerontology" funded by United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia under the Whole Person Education Digital Content Development Grant - 2021.
Components in the Course
The syllabus has four units.
Each unit will have the following components
3-5 Video lectures -> 2 (literature) + 2 (other perspective)
Reading materials 1 - 3
Self-study worksheet – 1
Activity/Task with Discussion Forum - 1
Quiz - 1
Introspection (audio) - 1
Apart from the above, there are two panel discussions and a final assessment (combined with task and discussion forum) at the end of the course.
Role of the learner
The achievement of the outcomes and objectives of this course is subject to the extent to which the learner stays committed to complete all components, finish all the tasks and do his/her best to take in, what's being taught.
The learners are expected to read the literary texts prescribed in the syllabus and then watch the corresponding video lecture for better understanding.
Subject Experts
Dr. Udaya B. Jagadeesan, M.D. is a Chief Medical Officer and a practising Geriatrician, JGS Life care, Longmeadow, Massachusetts, USA.
Dr. Roopa Ravikumar, Associate Professor (Retired), Department of Social Sciences, Lady Doak College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. She has been teaching Gerontology for around 25 years.
Rev. Dr. John Samuel Ponnusamy, Dean of Doctoral Studies, Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India has contributed to books and articles on ageing studies from a theological frame of reference. He has worked as a Lecturer in Northern College, Manchester, UK and visiting professor at Pacific Theological College, Fiji.
Course Designed by the instructor Dr. Hillela P. (More information is available under instructor biography)
Who this course is for:
- Individuals who wish to view ageing creatively through literature
- Individuals who desire to examine the harsh realities in life using humour, stories and interesting comparisons
- Curious minds interested in viewing ageing from an interdisciplinary perspective
Instructors
- 3.4 Instructor Rating
- 13 Reviews
- 119 Students
- 1 Course
Dr. Hillela P. has been working as Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Lady Doak College, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India from June 2019. She has a B.A. from Women's Christian College, Chennai and M. A from Lady Doak College both in English Literature. She has passed the State Eligibility Test and National Eligibility Test for Assistant Professor with JRF.
She has always liked interacting with older adults from her childhood and is passionate about addressing the struggles and joys, unique to old age. Her thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of her Master’s degree is about the struggles of old age, juxtaposing the last works of an Irish writer and an Indian writer. She was awarded Dr. Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy Prize for the best project in M. A English in the year 2016 for this project. She did her doctoral research on the stereotypical representation of ageing in literature at Bishop Heber College, Trichy.
- 3.4 Instructor Rating
- 13 Reviews
- 119 Students
- 1 Course
Lady Doak College, a premier Christian Institution and the first Women's College in Madurai, was the brainchild of Ms. Katie Wilcox, an American missionary with a vision and fervour for the empowerment of women. The College made its humble genesis in 1948, and within a short span of time, in 1978, it was commissioned to function as an autonomous college, being affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University.
As an Ecumenical Christian College whose purpose is to impart quality education of Christian character to students of all creeds, this college strives to develop their intellectual powers, locate, identify and cultivate their interests and talents and train them to be responsible and useful citizens. The college, presently, functions as a unit of Katie Wilcox Education Association and stands distinguished as one of the pioneering autonomous colleges in India.