DESCRIPTION:  This freshman seminar focuses on late life potential. Although late life often is viewed as a time of inevitable loss, there is growing evidence of ways to limit these losses, and even to promote improvement of abilities. Over the term, we will examine theory and research on development and aging, read biographical material on late life greatness, study examples of late life accomplishments, and talk with vital old people. By the end of the seminar students should understand the nature of late life potential, as well as some of the conditions that facilitate it. From this understanding we will consider appropriate roles for the elders of our society. The seminar will predominately involve student discussion, although there will be some lecture and class presentations. Students taking this course will be expected to actively participate in class discussion, contribute to group projects, give class presentations, complete weekly homework assignments, write book reports on assigned texts, keep a course journal, and take both take home and in class final exams.