69515 - Historical Demography (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to deal with the knowledge of: the demographic documentation of actual and past populations; the historical evolution of world population and its development potential;  the main explanatory theory of demographic evolution.

 

Course contents

1. SOURCES: The sources of historical and of contemporary demography in Italy: vital registrations and censuses.

2 METHODS: The sources of contemporary demography: vital registrations and censuses. Basic instruments of demographic analysis: evaluation of the growth rate, analysis of the demographic structure (age and sex); crude and specific demographic rates; period and cohort analysis; the Lexis diagram; the concept of probability of death and the life table; the analysis of fertility. A mention to the analysis of migrations.  

3. TOPICS: The evolution of the European populations in the long run and the regulatory mechanisms of the historical communities.  Patterns and timing of the demographic transition in Europe and in the contemporary populations in the world.

Readings/Bibliography

- M. Livi Bacci, Introduzione alla demografia , Loescher, Torino, 1999.

- M. Livi Bacci, Storia minima della popolazione del mondo , Il Mulino, Bologna, 2005.

One reading among:

L. Del Panta, M. Livi Bacci, G. Pinto, E. Sonnino (1996) , La popolazione italiana dal Medioevo a oggi, Laterza, Bari.

M. Livi Bacci (2010), In cammino. Breve storia delle migrazioni, Il Mulino, Bologna.

A. Golini (a cura di) (2009), Il futuro della popolazione del mondo, Il Mulino, Bologna.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and practices

Assessment methods

Oral examination that aims to test the knowledge acquired on demographic methodology and on the historical evolution of populations.

Teaching tools

Slides and power point presentation

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Samoggia