BA Health and Social Care: Ageing in the 21st Century

Guide to the Assignment for referred students : Dr Chris Towers

Question: Tell me what this assignment is all about?

The Assignment will test your ability to write of issues of social gerontology ( social ageing) and relates to the module material covered in academic session 2020/21. This assignment has the same learning outcomes as the original essay, with the only change being that in this assignment you will not be relating the material to the case study.

Question: Why is this assignment slightly different from the original one?

Because it has been advised over the years that we adapt the referred work from the original so that any failed students do not simply submit the original with the changes advised by the tutor, which is not good practice.

Question: I see there is a choice of five questions to choose from, remind me of them?

The inequalities of early life go on to shape our mid- life and ultimately our old age? Discuss

People need to ‘age in place’ and the best place to age is ‘home’? Discuss

To what extent does Erikson’s life stages – theory successfully explain how we age?

With reference to Cumming and Henry’s disengagement theory, are they right to say that people inevitably- disengage from life as they enter old age ?

With particular reference to old age, how far do social policies support people from, as William Beveridge used to say, ‘ the cradle to the grave’?

Question: How long is the essay?

3,000 words minus reference list and 10% leeway either way.

Question: What kind of evidence is appropriate for the essays?

All the questions ask of issues of the life course, issues of social policy and issues of later life. Each question takes a slightly different aspect, but issues of housing, income, employment, health, and education can all play a part in your answer. Question one one talks of inequalities, but that issue is relevant to all the questions. Issues of housing are in the second question, but one cannot talk of simply housing, income and a range of other issues are relevant to staying in your own home. The question five emphasises social policy but they are relevant to all questions and all these issues can form part of your answer to questions three and four.

Question: What kind of evidence do I bring to the essay?

Evidence from textbooks on issues in later but also mid-life, theories and data on what happens to people as they age. Journal articles and good web pages play a part also. The main course text ‘ the ageing of Great Britain’ by Martin Slattery’ is a good place to start.

Question: Can I bring international evidence to the essay?

You have to be careful as the essays are examining ageing issues within the UK perspective, and refers to social policies and service provision in this country. It can be acceptable to talk of ageing generally to some extent but if you use international evidence use it sparingly and acknowledge that this is international. But for most of the time refer to the UK perspectives and contexts.

Question: Is this a traditional essay?

Yes, structured with an introduction, middle and conclusion. Compare and contrast different ideas and always keep the actual question at the centre of the discussion.

Question: Do ideas in the very first essay in the module, the one looking at the Case Study and the life of Donald Major relate to this question?

Yes, don’t mention the case study but you can draw from ideas in that first assignment such as the significance of social class or ethnicity or gender for ageing and opportunities. You can even use the same citations you used for the first assignment, assuming you did submit that first one, but re word to fit this assignment. Theorists like Bourdieu will have relevance to all of these questions.

Question: How could I structure the essay?

I always emphasise that there are different ways of structuring an essay, and one can be flexible but that said it is very good practice to have an introduction, middle and conclusion. The introduction acts as a signposting of the reader, letting them know what to expect. It is best if it is around 10% of the word count. A conclusion should mirror the introduction and remind the reader of key issues that were covered. Make sure the essay compares and contrasts evidence and ideas throughout and don’t make new points in the conclusion.

Question: Should I include diversities of experience in the essay, in other words matters of social class, gender and ethnicity ?

Yes, this is important as older people do vary as much as younger people and we tend to take these differences with us through the life course. Try to avoid seeing people as homogeneous, in other words the ‘same’ as people vary within ethnic groups as well as between and the same applies to gender or social class. That said different groups can experience inequities. Always cite evidence to back your ideas up

Question: Should I break phrases down, define them ?

Yes, terms such as ‘ageing in place’ or ‘old age’ need defining and you need to offer different ways of understanding these terms, explain them through the literature, how do different authors see these terms.

Question: Do I give my own opinion ?

You make arguments backed up with evidence and so in that sense you do give ideas yes, but always informed and respectful of other ways of seeing the issues.

Question: Can I go over the word count of 3,000 words?

Yes, by a margin of 10% either way, under or over the word count, down to 2700 or up to 3300, excluding the reference list.

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