3500 Word written assignment (100%) meeting all of the learning outcomes.

Formative
Course content will generate a series of activities /tasks which will build toward the summative assignment on a week by week basis. Weekly contributions reflecting on the tasks set will be requested and then shared via electronic discussion groups, and electronic mail. All of the formative tasks set will focus on the various aspects of the final summative assignment.

- The Demographics of Ageing in the 21st Century
- Sociological Theories of Ageing; functionalist; conflict perspectives; feminist theories; interpretive theories.
- Post Modern perspectives on ageing; Life course and modernity; ageing and popular culture; the end of ageing.
- The possibility of immortality; ageless bodies; life extension and the social, moral and religious dimension.
- Growing Older in the 21st Century; myths and realities of ageing; quality of life; age discrimination and social exclusion; expectations and well being in 'retirement'.
- Ageing through History; from Plato to the `Zimmers'
- Ageing Identity and Gerotranscendence
- Ageing and the end of life; choosing how to live and how to die; Palliative care for older people:challenges and developments.

The focus of this module is on a mix of independent as well as directed study.

Contact Hours (14) on this module means your on-screen hours engaging with the online study materials contained within the 'Course Information', 'Course Documents' 'Communication' and 'Assignments' sections of the module virtual learning environment (VLE).

Independent Study (136) means on-line and off-line activity including working on tasks/exercises/activities and participation within the discussion forums, relevant background/supplementary reading, and assessment preparation and completion.

This module will be delivered by the use of a VLE.

The VLE will provide a structured environment for progressing through this module. The 'Course Information' section contains essential module information, the award handbook, the module descriptor and a section, which contains the aims and objectives of the module. The 'Course Documents' section contains all the study material necessary to complete the module, together with activities associated with this material. Within the 'Communications' section there are a number of forums, which will enable interactive, asynchronous discussion, which supports student learning and allows for formative assessment of individual progress.

Participants are encouraged to communicate with the tutor and their fellow students using email, telephone and the discussion forums and to do so if there are matters needing assistance and support.

Web-based material will be utilised to support all aspects of the module, providing links to latest Government information and latest case law and legislation.

As this is a distance learning award, participants will need to adopt a disciplined approach to study and work for example by ensuring that activities, tasks and assignments are completed within specified time limits and that discussion with others takes place.

V.L.E Instruction Guides
Access to Personal Computer with Internet Access (ideally broadband)
Access to Electronic Library resources ( E Texts/E Journals/Databases)
Information Technology support via advisors.
Access to Email
Access to Blackboard V.L.E

Dean, M. (2004) Growing Older in the 21st Century. Economic and Social Research Council. Swindon. ISBN 0-86226-295-X
Magnus, G. (2009) The Age of Aging. John Wiley & Sons. (Asia) Pte. Ltd. ISBN 978-0-470-82291-3
Thane, P (2002) Old Age in English History. Oxford University Press. Oxford. ISBN-978-0199250240
The Edge: The Ageing Issue (November 2005) Issue 20. Economic and Social Research Council. Swindon.