Course 2023-2024 a.y.

The course analyses the interrelationships between population dynamics and social and economic dynamics, in a comparative and international perspective.

After an introduction to the historical developments of the world population, the course focuses on the analysis of current demographic trends and key demographic challenges: over-population versus extremely low fertility, ageing, sustainable development and the future of the world population, further demographic issues in developing countries and in the Western world, including international migration, and related population policies.

The course has an introductory and applied style:  

·     The long term dynamics of the world population and the Demographic Transition as passage from constraint to choice. 

·     Analytical demographic tools for the study of population dynamics (including the actuarial approach).   

·     Population, resources, and environment.   

·     Contemporary population in developing countries: comparative case studies and the slow transition of the African continent.   

·     Contemporary population in developed countries: low fertility, population ageing and its social and political consequences  

·     International migration: theories, evidence, and political debates.   

·     The uncertain future of populations: towards a convergence of demographic behaviour and the environmental challenges 

Students will be able:

- to define the relevant world population issues and challenges for the future; 

- to distinguish population issues of more developed and less developed areas of the world;

- to illustrate the main socio-economic consequences of major population trends;

- to recognize and describe the meanings of key demographic indicators. 

Students will be able to interpret the main demographic indicators.

Students will prepare the case study of a specific country/area according to the demographic methods, indicators and trends learnt in the course. 

Students will have a critical view on population debate in the mass media.  

• Face-to-face lectures
• Exercises (exercises, database, software etc.)
• Case studies /Incidents (traditional, online)
• Individual assignments
• Group assignments

The learning experience of this course includes, in addition to lectures, the solution of “take home” assignments given to to students throughout the course and then discussed in class.

Students have the possibility to apply the demographic methods acquired during the course, to discuss specific country cases, to bring their own views on population issues and to share their insights.

With the purpose of measuring the acquisition of the above-mentioned learning outcomes, the attending students assessment is based on three main components:

1) Individual assignments (25% of the final grade), i.e. take home numerical exercises, designed with the purpose of verifying the ability to apply the the appropriate demographic tools and methodologies acquired in class.

2) Country/area-case study (25% of the final grade), i.e. in class individual or small group presentations, designed to the purpose of using relevant official data; to comment critically specific case; to work individually or in teams and organize and present effectively the relevant outcome.

3) A written exam (50% of the final grade) – divided in a partial written exam after the first part of the course and another partial written exam based on the second part of the course. The written exam consists of short questions (without numerical exercises which will be done only in take home assignments).

Students are assessed in terms of their understanding of theoretical models, main concepts, methods and tools shared in the course as well as the clarity of written communication.

For the non-attending students assessment is based on:

1) a general final exam covering all material covered in the course (75% of the final grade). The written exam consists of short and longer questions related to the reference book and papers and at least a numerical exercise. Students are assessed in terms of their understanding of theoretical models, main concepts, methods and tools shared in the course as well as the clarity of written communication.

2) a written short paper on a country/area-case study

All the material and specific references (book chapters and papers) will be all available on BlackBoard