Population growth and distribution, population composition, population theory, urbanization. Determinants and consequences of fertility and mortality trends and migration in economically developed and underdeveloped areas.
In this course we will cover demographic and economic theories of population growth and composition; population processes and their impact on society; the emergence of, and changes to, institutions that deal with population problems (e.g., social security, pension systems); and the methods & statistics demographers use to track changes in mortality, fertility, and migration. Classical and contemporary demographic debates and theories will be discussed. By the end of the course, students should be able to substantively engage anyone in a discussion of past, present, and future population problems that affect different societies.
Student learning goals
Questions this course will answer include: 1) What impact does immigration have on native wages?
2) How does population growth and changes in age structure affect social security and pension systems? More generally, what are the consequences of rapid population growth in the developing and developed worlds?
3) How have fertility and mortality changed in the last 200 years?
4) What are the historical and current health issues facing local and global populations, and how have health crises affected demographic accounts of population processes?
5) How does economic change and labor market expansion affect fertility and family unit composition?
6) What are the relationships between poverty, family composition, and health inequalities in a global context?
General method of instruction
Class assignments and grading