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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 ( / ) at Belzberg Library or Ask a Librarian.
Course description
This course critically evaluates and synthesizes key theory, research, and health promotion policy related to the intersection of aging families, communities and health. The principal theoretical perspectives will include: life course theory and social, human and cultural capital; social ecological models; political economy; and participatory community empowerment approaches. Topics include: definitional, conceptual and methodological challenges to studying families, communities and health; community development models and healthy lifestyles; ethno-cultural dimensions of families and communities and their impact on health status and health care utilization; social support and vulnerability; care giving and intergenerational family relationships and well-being; tailoring health promotion programs for urban and rural areas; and healthy public policy for age-friendly neighborhoods and communities. For further information, see the course outline and Canvas (if applicable).
Research paper
Books
Family ties & aging [print]
Overview on the different relationships in the lives of older adults, including intimate partners, immediate family members, and intergenerational family.
Handbook of families and aging [print and online]
Textbook providing a variety of discussions on different aspects and issues within families specifically in relation to older adults.
To find books, search the SFU Library Catalogue. Sample subject headings include:
Journal articles
To find journal articles, search the following databases:
Ageline
Major social gerontology database; the Ageline guide discusses advanced search techniques starting p. 10
Poquest Sociology Database
Sociology research, including family studies. Include terms in search such as Older People or Aging.
Note: As it is a full-text database like a newspaper database, change the search from "Anywhere" to "Anywhere except fulltext" to decrease results but increase relevance
Canada Commons
Canadian health and public policy documents, an excellent source for grey literature
Political Science Complete
Political science research articles
Other useful pages
Program Evaluation in Gerontology
GERO 450 course page
See also: Sociology Information Resources
SFU subject page, including course pages: Sociology of Families (SA 231) and Politics of the Family (SA 331)
Citation management software and tools
This page includes links to workshops, an introductory video if you can't make one of the workshops; contact citation-managers@sfu.ca for assistance or to request a consultation.
Note: The software mainly used at SFU is Zotero, but others are mentioned
Student-led seminar
Giving Effective Presentations
tips from SFU's Student Learning Commons
Presentation Consultations
Research Commons: "to provide students with assistance in choosing the content of a presentation, organising the material, and feedback on the written content. This time can also be used as an informal practice for a presentation." (Select "Presentation consultation" when filling in the request form)
Voice and Presentation Skills
SFU's Centre for Educational Excellence (CEE) has workshops for SFU faculty, staff, and graduate students
Research Commons
Partnering "with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty to build research capacity, community, and expertise across disciplines." The main Research Commons page has links outlining services, workshops and consultations, and bookable study rooms.
Writing services offered by the Research Commons
including the excellent Read Ahead service, writing consultations and Thesis Writing Group online (replacing, for now, the renowned Thesis Boot Camp)
Thesis assistance: Templates and resources for preparing and submitting your thesis
including their Templates link