GERO 413 Sexuality and Aging

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For further assistance with your assignment, ask at the Belzberg Library Reference Desk or contact Nina Smart, Liaison Librarian for Gerontology (778.782.5043 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) / nsmart@sfu.caMonday to Thursday .  For other assistance see Ask a Librarian

Course description

Instructor: Dr. Theresa Pauly

"This is a comprehensive course that delves into the diverse facets of sexuality in the context of aging from a multidisciplinary perspective. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, case studies, and interactive discussions, this course examines the challenges faced by older men and women regarding sexuality..." For more information see GERO 413's  Canvas page.  If there are discrepancies between  information listed on this page and that in Canvas or instructor handouts, please refer to the latter.]

 

Assignments 2024: 

Case Study - written case study report and a presentation in class
Two Critical Reflections Assignments

 

Help:

Assignment calculator time management tool to help you break down your writing assignments into a series of steps

Start your research here overview of the research process and tips for finding sources - although your suggested sources are right below!

Writing help online is available via WriteAway -submit a draft of your paper and "online tutors will provide strategies and resources to help you improve your writing".  Turnaround time is currently four days.

 

Background information

Reference works such as encyclopedias are a great place to start to get an overview of a topic.  Entries are written by experts in the field, and there is often a useful bibliography. 

Encyclopedias

Global encyclopedia of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) history 
Encyclopedia of Sexuality and Gender 
Sage encyclopedia of LGBTQ studies 
 

Articles/book chapter

“Don’t Be Trying to Box Folks In”: Older Women’s Sexuality article 
Sex as Leisure in Later life: A Netnographic Approach article 
Sexual Abuse of Elderly Victims Investigated by the Police: From Motives to Crime Characteristics article
Sexuality and Older Women: Desirability and Desire in Women and Aging


 Case Study Report 

QMUNITY's Stories of Older Queers 
SFU collection of video interviews and still pictures

Elder abuse in the LGBTQ2SA+ community : the impact of homophobia and transphobia online and print 

Ageing, popular culture and contemporary feminism : Harleys and hormones online 
older women depicted in film and television

Literature review

To find articles, start with one of the following databases:

Ageline
the major social gerontology database, and it is all about older people.  You can start with this database for most term paper topics.

Samples searches: Sexual* AND (media or popular culture) AND (Stereotypes or Attitudes) 
Sexual Behavior AND  Patients AND attitudes
Health Promotion AND Sexuality
Sample subject terms: Sexual Abuse; Sexual Dysfunction

Communication & Mass Media Complete
covers journals in the fields of communication and mass media studies

Sample  search: (aging or older) AND sex* AND (social media or mass media)

PsycINFO 
"literature in the field of psychology and psychological aspects of related disciplines"
Hint: You can also narrow the search by selecting Aged (65 yrs and older) in the Age Groups field of the "Refine search" section OR: narrow search with "Subject X"  And (Aging OR Gerontology)

Sample subject terms: Sexuality; Erectile Dysfunction; Psychosexual Behavior; Sexual Function Disturbances
Sample search: 

CINAHL Complete
Nursing and allied health, for medical topics

Sample terms: Attitude to Sexuality Aged;  Aged, 80 and Over; Aging
Sample search:  health promotion AND (sexuality OR sexual health) AND (aging OR old age)

Sociological Abstracts
Sample search:  (Elderly or Aging or Ageism) AND Sexuality

 

Learning log & Outlines

For more information, see the following:

Useful sites

Aging and Human Sexuality Resource Guide 
American Psychological Association.  Bibliography and links to organizations

Dr. Sharron Hinchcliff
(University of Sheffield) Ageing, sexual and reproductive health, well-being, and gender

Senior Sex: Tips for Older Men 
Mayo Clinic 

Sexuality and Older Adults 
Centre for Sexuality (Calgary)