20615 - POPULATION DYNAMICS AND POLICIES

There are no specific prerequisites, although a background in empirical quantitative methods (as from the Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis course of the PPA MSc) is useful for a successful learning experience in the Population Dynamics and Policies course

Population change is one of the great megatrends of our era. Low fertility and population ageing have emerged in developed countries, while high fertility, high population growth and health threats, largely intertwined with poverty, continue to affect population dynamics and economic development in developing countries. Migration connects the South to the North of the world both between and within in important ways. These demographic developments call for policy responses and affect politics and the way policies are formulated. This course aims to provide students with key evidence on population dynamics and its interaction with policies, as well with the standard toolkit of demography.

The course is organized in five interlocked themes:

•           Population structure, demographic processes, policies, social dynamics and economics

•           Survival and health

•           Family and fertility

•           Migration and population movements

•           Analysis of population-related policies

At the end of the course, students will:

·             Be familiar with evidence on past and current population change in a comparative perspective

·             Be familiar with demographic approaches to the study of survival and health, family and fertility, and migration

·             Be familiar with demographic scenarios

·             Have an understanding of the interaction between the components of population change and policies

At the end of the course, students will be able to:  

·             Read, discuss and criticize population-related policy reports

·             Read, discuss and criticize population-related intermediate-level scientific articles

·             Access official population data

·             Have an introductory insight on how to start a new research project on population issues

• Face-to-face lectures

The assessment and final grade is based on written exams, with no difference between attending and non-attending students

Written exams include a number of essay-style questions. Exams will cover all topics of the course. Material covered in the lectures (including slides) k and other set readings may be included in exams.

Two mid-term exams will be held during the course, and general exams at the end of the course.

Mock exams will be presented and discussed

Readings will be listed in the detailed syllabus of the courses.

All course materials, including slides and readings, will be posted on Blackboard in advance of each lecture. A set of non-compulsory additional readings will also be distributed.