380.600.01
Principles of Population Change

Prerequisite:

None.

Description:

Each year in the world there are about 146 million births, 57 million deaths, and the world population grows by 89 million people--about 243,000 per day, or 10,000 an hour. In some countries, the "population problem" is persistent high birth rates and rapid population growth. In other countries, however, it is very low birth rates, an aging population, and population decline. These trends affect public health, the economy, national security, and the environment in many ways. This is an introduction to how demographers study the determinants and consequences of population trends.

Provides students with a basic understanding of the field of demography—the study of human populations and how they change by birth, death, and migration. Examines how and why birth and death rates change, and how governments and other groups attempt to take into account the effects of birth rates, death rates, and migration on public health, the economy, the environment, and other aspects of human well-being.

Learning Objectives:

Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

1. Describe the major trends in birth rates, morbidity and mortality rates, population growth, age composition, and causes of death historically up to the present
2. Evaluate the major explanations for changes in birth rates, death rates, and causes of death historically and in recent years
3. Describe ways in which demographic trends, population distribution, and globalization affect the health of populations and individuals
4. Assess the major public policy issues related to birth rates, death rates, and migration affecting both more developed and less developed countries
5. Critically evaluate demography related articles in the peer-reviewed and lay literature

Methods of Assessment:

This course is evaluated as follows:

• 60% Quizzes
• 40% Presentation(s)

Instructor Consent:

No consent required