The Elderly and the Media: Confronting Popular Stereotypes

Catalog description

Students will be introduced to common stereotypes held about the elderly within our society and statistics and information which prove these stereotypes to be false. Public perceptions of the elderly will be studied through the use of five commercial motion pictures and a review of four articles covering topics related to the theme of each of the films. The class will focus on how stereotypes about the elderly are both reinforced and challenged in commercial motion pictures, how stereotypes affect an older person’s self-concept, and how popular ageist stereotypes shape our own views on growing older. Prerequisite: 30 hours.