Field of the research interest: anthropological foundations of educational gerontology, education in perspective of old age, spiritual aspect of aging, care for the elderly, cultural animation of the elderly, education of professionals to work in care.
Ph.D. thesis "The Old Person from the Personalistic Perspective. The Anthropological-Pedagogical Analysis" prepared under supervision of rev. prof. Andrzej Szostek and defended in 2010.
Abstract:
Old age appears as the one of the most significant contemporary social issues. Specialists of diverse disciplines make the attempt to describe and explain this phenomenon in order to indicate ways of positive and satisfactory aging as well as of preparing for it. This task is also connected with the need to overcome the “anthropological mistake” that may reduce the value of the human, especially the old person, to efficiency and usefulness being the main indicators of existence. Grounded in the personalistic philosophy, this publication attempts to deal with this challenge and provide “ways of doing” education concerned with aging and old age that includes all generations. It is an interdisciplinary work, based on the analysis of data concerning aging from the field of social sciences, its interpretation from the point view of personalistic philosophy and on adaptation of the results to the field of education. The main outcome is a holistic theory of personalistic education related to aging and old age describing particular elements of the educational process: aims, principles, the teaching learning relationship, time perspective, methodology and environmental aspects. It applies theoretical knowledge of the most essential aspects of human life to the reality of aging on the individual and social levels and supports a positive view of that period of life based on the “ageless” dignity of every person.
Publications in the field of:
Gerontology
- The Role of Pedagogue in Creating the Positive View of Old Age, in: Pedagogue towards the Challenges of the Present, W. Wawro (ed.), KUL Press, Lublin 2010, p.115-124
- Theological and Philosophical Conditions of Education and Old Age, in: Education to and in old age. Selected Contexts - Problems - Conditions, M. Kuchcińska (ed.), Kujawsko-Pomorska Szkoła Wyższa, Bydgoszcz 2008, p. 35-42
- Spiritual Dimension of Man as the Educational Challenge for Old Age, in: Adulthood towards the Old Age. Expectations - Joys - Dilemmas, R. Konieczna-Woźniak (ed.), Adam Mickiewicz University Press, Poznań 2008, p. 91-100
- The Old Person as the Challenge for the Contemporary Education, "Civilisation" 2007, no 22, p. 156-163
In print
- Aging and Old Age as an Educational Endevour. Personalistic Foundations of Gerontological Pedagogy, KUL Press
- Spiritual Dimension of Care: A Case Study of Caregivers' Practices with Elderly Women Religious (Sisters), co-autor with N.L. Davis, J. Dilitz, "Polish Gerontology" (under review)
- Forms of Social Support for the Elderly: the Example of Northwest Indiana Community Action in the United States, "Pedagogical Annals" 2010, TN KUL
- The Dynamics of Educational Interaction in Pedagogy of Old Age, in: Upbringing as the Wisdom of Love, I. Jazukiewicz (ed.), Szczeciński University Press
- Old Age and Death in Philosophical Thought of Wojciech Chudy, in: Wojciech Chudy's Philosphy of Education, E. Smołka (ed.), KUL Press
- Sources and Dimensions of the Dignity of Elderly People. Old Age from the Personalistic Perspective, in: Aging with Dignity
Philosophy of Education
- Personalistic Dimension of Philosophy of Education, co-editor with A. Szudra, KUL Press, Lublin 2009
- The Phenomenon of Hope in Wojciech Chudy's Philosophy of Education, "Annals of Social Sciences" 2009, vol. 1(37), p. 51-66
- Mildness as an Expression of Educational Love, "Annals of Social Sciences" 2006, vol. 34, p. 91-110
Classes on:
Social gerontology
Psychology of Aging
Cultural Animation of Adults and the Elderly
Expressive Therapy
Theoretical Foundations of Cultural Animation
Palliative care
Experience in the field of care for the elderly:
- care assistant in UK (6 months, 2004, 2005)
- cooperation with social welfare homes in Poland (field visists for students and activites with elderly) (2010)
- study visit in USA (day centers, care homes (including religious settings), hospices, local support for the elderly, Purdue Calumet University Gerontology Center) (2010)
Contact: kuzar@kul.lublin.pl
