Case Study – Concept Map

Module 3 focuses on the topics of social change and diversity in the context of older persons. Social change refers to “the transformation of culture and social institutions over time” (Macionis, Jansson, Benoit, & Burkowicz, 2017, p.553). Population aging is a type of social change and one area of study for Sociologists is explaining the causes of population aging. Sociologists are also interested in exploring how aging populations alter social institutions and social norms in Canadian society. For example, we have seen tremendous strain on long term care institutions and thus greater attention in policy to promote aging in place and to creating more age-friendly environments to support older persons and ease the strain. In additional to transforming social institutions, population aging is changing social roles in our society. For instance, the increase in caregiving demands on today’s busy families that may be unable to meet the demands has produced a shift in social norms of family responsibility. Sociological theories (i.e., Life Course Theory, Modernization Theory, Dependency Theory, Exchange Theory) are utilized to explain how social change unfolds and the implications for older persons.
The second topic in this module is that of diversity. You are introduced to concepts (e.g., culture, ethnicity, minority) and theories (i.e., multiple jeopardy, buffering, and life course theory) to further your understanding of aging and ethnicity. The cultural and ethnic composition of the aging population is reflective of the wider population in Canada. That is, older persons are culturally and ethnically diverse. Implications of ethnocultural diversity are explored in the context of intergenerational arrangements, living arrangements, economic security, health, and caregiving.
The purpose of Module 3 Assessment is to apply concepts and theories from this module to a case study of an older person. Drawing on information from the case study, you will create a concept map to visually display the relevant sociological concepts and theories and highlight the relationships among them.
Learning Objectives
Here is what you will be able to do at the end of this assignment:
Apply sociological concepts and theories to issues evident in a case study.
Identify relationships between and among sociological concepts, theory and issues.
Illustrate the relationships using a concept map.
Instructions
1. Read through the case study (document provided in D2L). As you read, identify the main issues presented. The main issues are consistent with topics discussed in the module readings (i.e., social change and diversity). Reflecting on the required readings, select relevant sociological concepts and theories that you can use to explain the main issues.

2. Create a concept map that shows how the concepts/theories relate to one of the issues evident in the case study. A concept map is a way to visually organize information. It allows us to see relationships and information easily without focusing on written texts. Your concept map will be assessed with the following criteria:
Identification of concepts and theories from module 3 readings (Nodes). Include the name of the concept/theory and a brief description. (2 points)
Interconnectivity among concepts/theories (Links). Indicate the relationship between/among the concepts/theories by including a line that indicates a connection. (2 points)
Descriptive connectivity of links. Include a label by the line that describes the nature of the relationship (e.g., is explained by, can be, includes, this means, definition, cause and effect, type, category and subcategory). (2 points)
Evidence of hierarchical organization and use of examples. Organize the concepts hierarchically when it makes sense to do so. The lowest level of the concept map must include specific, concrete examples. (2 points)
Critical thinking and communication of information. (2 points)