Module overview
This module is an introduction to the substantive concepts of demography, how populations change and grow or shrink, and the transitions that populations make in various stages of their development. An introduction to the past, present and future world population trends will be followed by a discussion on importance and implications of age structures, population momentum and population growth. The theoretical underpinnings of demography will be also covered, including the demographic transition, the fertility transition, proximate determinants of fertility, mortality, epidemiological and health transitions, "lowest-low" fertility, changing family structures, the second demographic transition and the mobility transition. Theories and evidence on preconditions and onset of transitions in different contexts, as well as on why and how transitions happen, will be provided.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate awareness of the key and emerging demographic issues that face the world's population, and the role of three components of population change: mortality, fertility and migration.
- Discussing alternative viewpoints in written work and in seminars.
- Assess the social importance of other factors relevant to population studies, such as family structure, health and morbidity, and population policies.
- Critically evaluating research on population issues from a wide range of sources.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the theoretical underpinnings of demography and how they vary according to the setting.
- Presenting and evaluating findings, explanations and theoretical perspectives through written work and seminar talks.
Syllabus
This module is an introduction to the substantive concepts of demography, how populations change and grow or shrink, and the transitions that populations make in various stages of their development. An introduction to the past, present and future world population trends will be followed by a discussion
on importance and implications of age structures, population momentum and population growth. The theoretical underpinnings of demography will be also covered, including the demographic transition, the fertility transition, proximate determinants of fertility, mortality, epidemiological and health transitions, low fertility in industrialised societies, changing family structures, the second demographic transition and the mobility transition. Theories and evidence on preconditions and onset of transitions in different contexts, as well as on why and how transitions happen, will be provided. We will also discuss population and family policies and their implications for society.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching will be via 22 tutor-led lectures and 8 seminars with discussions. Learning activities will include learning in lectures, leading and discussing issues during seminars, writing essays on selected demographic issues, and independent study.
The format of the seminars is that two to three students will present key issues from previously assigned readings, which will be followed by a general discussion. Non-presenting students will be expected to have read at least two of the suggested readings prior to the seminar and to actively contribute to the seminar in the form of questions, comments and discussion.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 22 |
| Independent Study | 120 |
| Tutorial | 8 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Other. Access to text books, journal articles, web sites and other sources of related information. Other than that, no special resources required for this module.
Journal Articles
McKeown T & Brown RG (1972). An Interpretation of the Modern Rise of Population in Europe. Population Studies, Vol. 26(No. 3), pp. 345-382.
Christensen, K., Doblhammer, G., Rau, R., & Vaupel, J. W. (2009). Ageing populations: the challenges ahead.. , The Lancet, 374(9696), 1196-1208.
OmranAR (1971). The Epidemiological Transition: A Theory of the Epidemiology of Population Change. The Milbank Memorial Fund Quarterly, 49(4), pp. 509-538.
Bongaarts J (1978). A framework for analyzing the proximate determinants of fertility. Population and Development Review, 4(1), pp. 105-132.
Textbooks
Harper, S. (2016). How Population Change Will Transform Our World.. Oxford University Press..
Livi-Bacci, M. (2006). A Concise History of World Population. Wiley-Blackwell..
McFalls J.A. (2007). Population: a lively introduction.
McFalls JA (2007). Population: a lively introduction.
De Haas, H. et al (2019). The Age of Migration: International Population Movements in the Modern World. Methuen.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 50% |
| Essay | 50% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External