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330.668.11
Complex Systems Thinking in Aging Research: Fundamentals and Methods

Course Status
Cancelled

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Mental Health
Credit(s)
1
Academic Year
2018 - 2019
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
End Date
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Class Time(s)
Tu, W, 8:30am - 4:50pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
One Year Only
Prerequisite

Basic computer skills (no programming)

Description
1. Did you know that approximately 80% of older adults suffer from at least one chronic condition (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, heart disease)? 2. Environmental, social, economic and structural factors play a big a role in not only impacting health and well-being of older adults but also how programs and policies are implemented. 3. How do we incorporate these complex networks of individual and group-level factors in understanding health-related behaviors, healthcare utilization, health disparities, and responses to public health interventions amongst older adults?
Trains students on the fundamentals of systems thinking. Considers key aging-related health outcomes from a systems science lens. Examines basic systems models (dynamic models, agent-based models, social network models). Examines application of systems thinking on evaluating health programs and polices.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Apply systems thinking to tackling key mental health and aging issues (dementia, cognitive aging, and physical frailty)
  2. Explain the conceptual differences between key systems methods (systems dynamic models, agent-based models, social network models)
  3. Accurately describe the set of key systems concepts and what is distinctive about systems thinking as opposed to other forms of thinking
  4. Assess strengths and weaknesses of aging interventions and polices using a systems approach
Special Comments

Students are expected to bring a laptop computer with working WIFI/Internet access. Students are required to complete pre- and a post-course assignments. The final presentation will be due June 13, 2018 and peer review will be due June 20, 2018.