Didactic Teaching

Below are overviews of the courses that I reach. Please reach out for syllabi and materials!

Cognition and Communication in Aging

Undergraduate Course

Dr. Stark has taught this course since 2018.

Primary text: Yochim, B & Woodhead, E (2017). Psychology of Aging: A Biopsychosocial Perspective. Springer Publishing Company.

Course Description

This course covers aspects of cognition and communication associated with normal aging and with diseases/disorders prevalent in the aging population. Also, this course includes methodological issues in research with the elderly and information for maximizing communication with the aging population.

Course Learning Outcomes

All of which will be met via lectures as well as by assignments and in-class activities.

1.     Synthesize information pertaining to typical psychobiosocial processes in aging

2.     Explain typical cognitive and communicative changes in typical and atypical aging

3.     Differentiate between typical and atypical brain changes in this population

4.     Summarize core identifying features of common pathological disorders in the aging population

5.     Explain role of health professional in working with cognitive and communicative needs of aging population

Neuroanatomical and Physiological Substrates of Speech-Language Pathology

Master’s in Speech Language Pathology Course

Course Description

This course serves as an introduction to the neural bases of human communication. The goal of the course is to develop the skills to relate neurological function to anatomical structure. Case examples will be presented, as possible, to help you relate the neural structures to issues of communication disorders. Topics include functional neuroanatomy of the central and peripheral nervous systems; neural substrates of speech and language particularly as they relate to normal and disordered communication function; and neuroimaging techniques as a means of understanding information presented in medical reports. Units often will be discussed relative to neurological cases with the use of PowerPoint slides; in-class group assignments; videos and class discussion. Reading assignments will supplement class discussions by helping you visualize where nervous system structures are located and what pathways connect regions of the nervous system. Homework quizzes will assess your knowledge of nervous system structures and pathways.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1.  Integrate information pertaining to normal and abnormal neural development across the life span

  2. Interpret information relating basic neuroanatomy to neurophysiology and neurological disorders

  3.  Explain brain-behavior interactions by means of the neural substrates of speech, swallowing, hearing and language

  4. Outline the etiology of neurologically-based communication disorders

Aphasia

Master’s in Speech Language Pathology Course

Course Description

This course will introduce aphasia, a language disorder, through the lens of its neural underpinnings, the extent to which it affects communication, and the specific disruptions to unique aspects of the linguistic system. We will focus on the individual with aphasia, discussing assessment and remediation of language and communication, as well as other related areas of recovery, such as psychological, activities, and participation. Case studies will be used throughout, as will audio and video samples of individuals with aphasia. The ultimate goal of this course is to enable students to sensitively and accurately evaluate the presence, characteristics, and severity of aphasia, and to use this information to create a remediation plan that enables the individual with aphasia to recover lost functions (e.g., language, psychological, cognitive). We will also discuss the importance of cultural and linguistic sensitivity, approaching this with a lens of humility, curiosity, and understanding. We are constantly learning about aphasia and the far-reaching impacts that it has on the individual as well as their loved ones and community. Join me in growing our knowledge about this disorder, which affects over two million in the USA alone.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Understand the cognitive architecture of language

  2. Quantify and qualify linguistic deficits associated with aphasia, including lexical- semantic, morphosyntactic, and discourse processing problems

  3. Compare and contrast different types and severities of aphasia, as well as bilingual and progressive aphasias using linguistic and neural information

  4. Identify cultural and linguistic variables that are important for understanding aphasia assessment and treatment

  5. Describe common motor, sensory, cognitive, and emotional concomitant symptoms

  6. Identify and describe common causes of as well as means to prevent aphasia

  7. Summarize methods used to document neurological and cardiovascular damage in individuals with aphasia

  8. Identify test batteries and tests of specific perceptual, cognitive, linguistic, and emotional functions for assessing the effects of aphasia and concomitant symptoms on individuals with aphasia and their caregivers

  9. Identify cultural and linguistic variables that are important during assessment/diagnostics and remediation

  10. Identify positive and negative prognostic indicators of aphasia and rehabilitation outcomes.

  11. Design and describe specific treatment approaches for addressing the linguistic, cognitive, and emotional problems of individuals with aphasia, or for meeting the needs of these individuals’ caregivers

  12. Identify impact of cultural and linguistic variables of themselves and its relationship to service administration

  13. Examine impact of these variables as it relates to client care delivery;

  14. Discuss interaction of cultural and linguistic variables between provider, caregiver, and client;

  15.  Understand social determinants of health and other factors for clients;

  16. Discuss impact of multiple languages on assessment and intervention approaches