ACKGROUND:  Elders have much to offer us if we just take the time to interact and listen. Their willingness to share their experiences, trials and tribulations, successes and joys, and love can enlighten us and warm the soul.  Steven Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People tells us to ‘begin with the end in mind’ (Habit 2).  Connecting at someone in the 3rd stage of life helps guide us in defining our own journey toward that end.

Objective:

This assignment has multiple purposes. It will allow the student

to interact with someone who is considered an elder,
to learn more about life from the perspective of an older person, and
provides the student a chance to hone their interviewing and communication skills. 
You will find that an older person is a virtual storehouse of information about life and its many challenges.

Assignment:

The Book. The class will read Tuesdays with Morrie an old man, a young man, and lifes greatest lesson. An easy book to read, beginning in Week 3.  See Discussion of Tuesdays with Morrie and the Reflective Paper Assignment for the instructor’s discussion of the book and paper.

The Subject. After reading Tuesdays with Morrie, the student will conduct an interview with an elder. The parameters to follow in making your selection are:

You may pick someone you know or do not know.
You may interview a grandparent, relative, family friend or someone not known to you.
You may NOT interview your parent.
The person must be at least 70 years of age.
NOTE #1: COVID-19 Restrictions.  All COVID requirements apply.  You are not required to do an in-person interview. The interview may be over the phone, over the fence, in the park, Facetime, Google Duo, zoom or any other format of your choosing.

The Interview Format / Content:  There is no set format or content for your interview. Review the assignment rubric and the reflective paper assignment requirements below.

Some topics to consider when interviewing the elder are: their background (where from demographic and socioeconomic status, health issues that are concerning to them, personal history, thoughts on aging, definition of ‘being old’, faiths and beliefs, major challenges in their past, what sustained them during hard times, views on the future, advice to give you as you age, their legacy, role models in their life, etc.

NOTE #2:  There is an opportunity to earn Extra Credit by submitting a video of your interview. See the Extra Credit Module.

The Reflective Paper:

Write a reflective paper about the interview. The paper content should include:

Title Page — see the Sample APA Paper  Download Sample APA Paperposted in the Module — University Writing Center – Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL).
Include an APA style introduction (NO ABSTRACT NEEDED); see the Sample APA Paper posted in the resource section.
Synopsis of the book Tuesday’s with Morrie. SEE RUBRIC.  Include: 1) a brief description of the book (no more than 3 paragraphs); and 2) discuss three themes you found significant. Relate the 3 themes identified to #5 Reactions (see Rubric)
Description of the person Interviewed.Describe background of interviews (e.g., who is the elder selected and why you choose to interview her/him).
Reactions. Describe your reactions to the interview. What did you observe/learn from the interview? How did the interview add to your understanding and knowledge of our older generation? How does the interview impact your perceptions about growing older? Discuss your reactions by applying course materials that you have learned to date.
Closing Summary Include a conclusion in APA style–see the Sample APA Paper  Download Sample APA Paperposted in the resource section.
Reference Page — in APA style of hanging indent:  see the Sample APA Paper posted in the resource section. The paper requires at least 3 credible or peer sources, not including Albom’s book or the course text.
Paper Organization:

Length:  Minimum 1400-word paper; no maximum word count.

Double spaced, typed, 12-point font (Courier, Times New Roman or Arial).

Format:  Use the latest edition of APA format.  See the sample APA paper and other writing tools and aids in the Writing Resources Module.

References / supporting resources required: Use material in class (text, lecture, readings, etc.), the book Tuesdays with Morrie AND at least 3 credible or peer sources, not including Albom’s book or the course text.to support your work.

This is an academic assignment that requires the use of:

a title page, (no abstract required),
headings,
page headers,
page numbers,
use of direct quotes, double quotation marks, use of in-text citations, and
a separate reference page.
The paper should be relatively free of grammar and spelling errors.

LATE SUBMISSION Policy applies. See syllabus. For every 24-hour period late, there is a 20% late penalty deduction up to 5 days.

Elder Interview – Paper
Elder Interview – Paper
Criteria    Ratings    Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSynopsis of Tuesdays with Morrie
1. Provide a BRIEF discussion of the relationship between Morrie and Mitch.

2. Fully Discuss 3 themes found in the book and how you relate those themes to your interview.
40 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
40 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDescription of the person Interviewed.
Describe the background of the selected elder and why they were selected for your interview.
10 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReactions & Reflections: What you learned about yourself as a result of the interview
Describe your reactions to the interview. What did you observe/learn from the interview? How did the interview add to your understanding and knowledge of our older generation? How does the interview impact your perceptions about growing older? Discuss your reactions by applying course materials that you have learned to date.
25 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
25 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper is relatively free of grammar and spelling errors.
5 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCorrect use of APA format for in-text citations and references.
2 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
2 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePaper meets word count. Paper is logically organized per the outline described in the instructions. Other requirements of the instructions met.
5 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCredible sources – use of 3
Paper included the use of 3 credible sources, not including the Singh text or Albom’s book. Use is defined as including direct quotes from the 3 sources used to support your work.
3 pts
Full Marks
0 pts
No Marks
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction & Conclusion
The paper includes an APA style introduction — The author should give the reader a brief overview of what will be discussed in your paper.

The paper includes an APA style conclusion — The conclusion should recap or summarize succinctly the key points discussed in your paper.