69515 - Historical Demography (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to deal with the knowledge of the main demographic measures and to give to the students the methodological instruments for evaluating the changes in the demographic regime in the long run.

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

For attending student:

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

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

 

For non-attending students:

One reading among:

- L. Cavalli-Sforza (1996), Geni, popoli e lingue, Adelphi, Milano.

- L. Del Panta (2021), Le epidemie nella storia demografica italiana, Clueb, Bologna.

- 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.

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 Francesco Scalone