00211 - Demography

Learning outcomes

The course aims to develop the understanding of population dynamics and the relationships between individual demographic behaviours and contextual factors. It starts from the long-term analysis of the world’s population and the links between demographic and socio-economic factors in human history, in order to come up with current issues of topical interest. On the one hand, global concerns such as international migration, inequality, social policies and sustainable development are tackled, on the other hand the course addresses the recent trends that characterize the European and the Italian population such as aging, very low fertility, delay in the transition to adulthood and the spread of new forms of union. The approach used seeks to highlight the interdisciplinary character of demographic research and to develop skills in quantitative analysis.

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

• critically evaluate the demographic trends by inserting them within a suitable socio-demographic theory;
• assess and apply the main demographic measures and population development indicators;
• apply the appropriate quantitative research strategy for the analysis of data coming from the major demographic and social surveys at international level.

Course contents

The long-term evolution of the world’s population. The major epidemics and demographic mechanisms of adaptation and self-regulation. Demographic growth and economic development. The demographic transition. Recent demographic trends in Europe and Italy (low fertility, mortality, aging). Reproductive choices and welfare system. Family-work conciliation in Italy. Young people and the delayed transition to adulthood. The effects of the economic downturn on demographic dynamics.

The sources of Demography. Population growth measures. Elements of Demographic Analysis (age, structure, Lexis diagram, rates and probabilities, fertility and reproductive measures). Life tables and survival analysis.

International migration. Foreigners in Italy: flows and stocks. Economic migrants and asylum seekers. The second generation of immigrants. Internal migration.

The population in developing countries. The cases of India and China. Population policies. The future of the world population. Population and sustainable development.

Readings/Bibliography

• Online materials provided by the lecturer during the course. See https://elearning-cds.unibo.it
• M. Livi Bacci Storia minima della popolazione del mondo. Il Mulino (also available in English: A concise history of world population. Wiley-Blackwell)
• A. Rosina and A. De Rose. Demografia. Egea.
• A. Angeli e S. Salvini. Popolazione mondiale e sviluppo sostenibile. Il Mulino. Bologna. 2018 (only for non-attending students)

Reference manual for further details (in particular for non attending students)

• G. De Santis. Demografia. Il Mulino. 2010. Chapters: 1 (all), 2 (sections 1-7), 3 (all), 4 (all), 5 (sections 1-4), 6 (sections 1-6), 8 (sections 1,2), 9 (sections 1,2), 10 (all).

Teaching methods

Lessons, classroom presentation by students; exercises using Excel software.

Assessment methods

Attending students

written test (25/30 pt) + classroom presentation (0-6 pt).

 

Non-attending students

written test (30/30) including questions on the additional book for non-attending students.

Teaching tools

Online materials (slides, papers, exercises, etc.).

Use of computing equipment for processing spreadsheets.

Office hours

See the website of Roberto Impicciatore