In this course, students will acquire the following general skills: - to analyze critically - to work in teams - to think globally In this course, students will acquire the following specific skills: - to analyze old age from a sociological and comparative perspective - to identify problems related to old age; assess projects and programmes devoted to help old people - to propose public policies to improve the status of old people

1. Introduction to sociology of of age: concept, history, methods. 2. Theories of old age. 3. Old age: history, demography, health, socio-economic issues. 4. Retirement and labor-market aspects of old age 5. Gender, migration and old age. 6. Active old age: Leisure, volunteering, and participation in politics 7. Old age and dependency: networks of care. 8. Old age and generations: family, social images, mass media 9. Public policies towards old age 10. Social and political actors related to old age

Learning methodology is participatory, continuous and open. Some of the learning activities include: - Analysis of sources about ageing and retirement, old age people research design, case studies about old age groups, debate about ageing problems, assessment of social research/intervention programs for old people, work with audiovisual materials, etc. - Some activities are on-site, and some others will take place elsewhere (home, library, other institutions). - Depending on content/subject, activities can be individual or in team.