About
Connecting Generations is a freshman first year seminar course offered at Wichita State University. In a first year seminar, freshman from a variety of disciplines come together to learn not only about Wichita State student resources and activities, but to be immersed in a particular topic of interest. Connecting Generations immerses students in aging studies and provides valuable application beyond the classroom. The first half of the semester establishes a foundation of introductory aging population knowledge. Students learn about the importance of studying aging and the demographics of our aging population. They explore stereotypes and address ageism, consider the implications of the physical aspects of aging, education, work, and retirement trends, and they begin to recognize the importance of engaging with members across generations. The second half of the semester is spent with residents at a local senior living community, as they share their life story with the class. Students are paired with residents and capture their resident's story to produce a Life Story Book and Banner that are presented to each resident at the end of the semester. The end product is certainly valuable to the resident and their family, but the journey is just as valuable for the student. Connecting Generations is an effort to reduce ageism across the life course through positive engagement and intentional time spent learning we all have a story to tell and that we are so much more than a number.