Demography, also called Population Studies, is the study of human populations in terms of their size, composition, and distribution, and the causes and consequences of changes in these three characteristics. In this course, students will be introduced to the basics of the discipline of demography, in terms of its main theories, concepts, measures, and uses. Emphasis is placed on contemporary population issues and their origins, although important past developments will also be examined. Lectures and discussions will often focus on the global situation and make frequent comparisons between more developed countries (MDCs) and less developed countries (LDCs). Video material will be used to further illuminate these issues. Toward that end, students will engage in population exercises in which students will learn how to access demographic data, calculate demographic measures, interpret these measures, and evaluate their usefulness. This project will provide students with practical experience using demographic techniques, which can be applied to careers in business, marketing, government, and human services. Demography is one of the more quantitative sub-fields of sociology, so students are expected to recall basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). Calculations will be done together in class while there are assignments done individually and in groups. Students should have a calculator for class for this purpose.
- Teacher: Connie Fern Miranda
- Teacher: JUDYLETTE PEPINO