Interview Paper about Biography

 Each student is required to interview one person over the age of 65 about one or a few of the following topics: health issues (both physical and mental), work and retirement issues, family and support issues, or other issues discussed throughout the semester. The goal of the paper is for you to show how you can successfully apply course concepts and ideas to the understanding of your respondent’s experiences. Write a paper (6 pages and half, including references) that explores your findings as to how the respondent does or does not seem to “fit” or “illustrate” ideas that you have learned about (or will learn about) in class. In your paper, provide a brief biography of the individual, and then proceed to demonstrate how their experiences fit the material. You should be able to come up with 3 or 4 “themes” of their talk that can fit into the course material. See me if you need more help in understanding these directions. Your grade will be based on how well you conducted the interview and how well you demonstrate understanding of course material. Be clear in how you explain how your respondent’s experiences illustrate course ideas. Please ensure your respondent’s confidentiality by either making up a name or referring to him or her by an initial in your report. General Instructions: The paper must be edited, proofread, and typed in the following format: doubled-spaced (not 1.5 spaced), written in Times New Roman, with 12 point font and 1 inch margins. You should include page numbers and staple your document. Remember, the quality of later drafts is typically much higher than that of a first draft. Following these formatting instructions is worth 5 points. Goals of this project: 1. To improve your understanding of how sociology contributes to practical knowledge in the field of aging. 2. To help develop your understanding of how aging, diversity, life events, and the social environment impact the aging experience. 3. To gain experience conducting an open-ended interview. Directions for interview: You need to first get permission for the interview. Tell the person why you are interested in talking to him or her and inform them that you will be using their answers for a class paper. Ensure them, although you will share their experiences, you will not reveal their name or identity to anyone else, including myself or your classmates. Please do not unreasonably burden your interviewee. Be on time to the appointment and listen carefully to their answers. Make sure to thank the respondent for his or her time and ask them if there is anything else they would like to say that you did not ask about. Ask them if they have any questions for you.  
 Suggestions for Biography Questions (feel free to come up with your own questions): It is generally good to begin with some general questions like these: 1. How old were you on your last birthday? 2. Where were you born? 3. What is your racial or ethnic preference (i.e. what do they consider themselves to be?) 4. Are you married, widowed, divorced, separated, living with a partner, single? 5. Do you have any children/grandchildren? How many? 6. Where have you lived most of your life? 7. Please tell me about your childhood, family, and school life. 8. What is the most important historical event or period of time that you have lived through? 9. Are you currently working?