Substance Use and Aging
Course #: GERON 210, Class #: 4853, Section #: 01
Description
This course examines substance use among older adults as a social and behavioral phenomenon. Drawing on theory and empirical research from sociology, social psychology, public health, and gerontology, students will analyze how aging-related changes - biological, psychological, and social - intersect with patterns of alcohol, prescription medication, tobacco, cannabis, and illicit substance use across the second half of the life course. The course treats it as a window onto enduring questions in the social and behavioral sciences: How do social structures and policies shape individual behavior? Why do exposures and outcomes differ so dramatically across populations? How do stigma, identity, and social networks shape help-seeking and recovery? Students will apply core theoretical frameworks (the life course perspective, cumulative dis/advantage, social determinants of health, social network theory, and stigma theory) to interpret empirical evidence, critically evaluate research design and measurement, and develop their own evidence-informed analyses.
Course Details
Date / Time
1/25/27 - 5/12/27
We 10a.m. – noon
Location
On-Line LMS Chat Time
Credits
3
Session
Regular Academic Session
Class Dates
1/25/2027 - 5/12/2027
Location
On-Line LMS Chat Time
Enrolled / Capacity
0 / 20
Status
Open