93406 - International Demography (50)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student knows basic instruments to analyse structural and dynamic aspects of developed and underdeveloped populations. Particularly, the student is able: - to measure populations size, variation and distribution in time and space - to measure and analyse populations structural characteristics - to measure and analyse demographic dynamics components – to classify populations depending on their different levels of evolution and development.

Course contents

The course is organized with a part of lectures taught online on MS TEAMS (30 hours) and another taught in presence (20 hours). The number of students allowed in class is determined on the basis of class capacity and by the health and safety provisions that deal with the pandemic emergency. In case more students want to attend classes in presence than permitted by the rules, a system of shifts will be organized so to allow students to participate. Regardless of the health-related conditions and the specific organization of the course, students will be able to follow the lessons of the entire course remotely on MS TEAMS.

The course is composed by two teaching units

1st Unit

a) Sources for demographic and social analysis, international databases.

b) Methodological tools for the measurements of population variables (growth rates; measures for mortality, fertility and migration, population structures and their evolution), census-type data analysis.

c) Population density and its geographical distribution.

d) The development of word population. UN scenarios for the future.

e) The theory of demographic transition.

f) XXth century demographic transitions.

g) Demographic challenges in PVS. The African case.

h) Word summits on population.

2ndUnit

i) Economic development and population: Poverty and inequalities.

j) Development indicators and the Millenium Goals.

k) International migration: theories, demographic and socio-economic consequences.

 

Readings/Bibliography

1) G.A. Micheli, Demografie, McGraw-Hill, Milano, 2011, Capp. Da 1 a 5.

2) A. Angeli, S. Salvini, Popolazione e sviluppo nelle regioni del mondo. Convergenze e divergenze nei comportamenti demografici, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2008.

 

2) Make a choice among:

A) Neodemos, Geodemografia 2020 - 13 scritti per meglio comprendere il mondo, e-book, 24 Dicembre 2020,

B) Neodemos, L'ospite inatteso, e-book, 19 Giugno 2020.

C) Neodemos, Verso la metà del secolo: un'Italia più piccola, e-book, 13 Aprile 2018.

All the book are downlodable from Neodemos

Teaching methods

First Unit:

- from february 23rd to march 31st speeches taught on line by MS Teams

- from march 7th to april 14th speeches taught in presence sincronically: teacher in rooms with a group of students, another group online connected by MS Teams

Second Unit:

- from april 20 speeches taught in presence sincronically: teacher in rooms with a group of students, another group online connected by MS Teams

- the course consists of theoretical and applied parts

- 2 partial exam tests during the course

Teaching material will be available in advance on Virtuale Platform

Assessment methods

The examination aims to assess the achievement of the following learning objectives: - know the main theories on the long period evolution of the population.
- calculate the main demographic indicators.
- interpret the data and indicators on population present in the political and social literature
- know the main international sources of demographic data
- know the demographic transition in the main areas of the world

The examination consists of written tests. The test is composed by theoretical questions and exercises in which the students can demonstrate that they can apply the methodological tools acquired and interpret the results.

The student can choose whether to take the partial exams during the course or the total exam at the end.

There are 2 partials tests, one for each teaching unit of the course. To pass the tests, the student must obtain the sufficiency as  average. It is possible to recover only one partial test (due to absence, unsatisfaction or insufficiency) on the first date of the summer session.

Alternatively, it is possible to carry out the full exam during all the other sessions.

Due to the Covid emergency, all exams are performed remotely with the use of EOL and Zoom.

The specific information about tests can be read at: -> organization and found on "Virtuale"

 

Teaching tools

Downlodable Power point files, readings and other documents used during the lessons will be at the student disposal on IOL.

Use of videos and web pages on the Internet.

Office hours

See the website of Rosella Rettaroli

See the website of Francesca Tosi