Module HUSS3311: POPULATIONS AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Department: Anthropology (Human Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

HUSS3311: POPULATIONS AND SOCIAL CHANGE

Prerequisites

• Completion of HS Level 2 OR Evolutionary Anthropology (ANTH2061) OR Human Ecology, Genetics & Health (ANTH2011) OR Phase I MBBS or equivalent background in development.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To enhance students' understanding of theoretical issues and current debates in demography and development, in both developing and industrialised countries.
• The approach taken will be a critical, problem-solving one, where students are encouraged to challenge received wisdom and apply concepts and theories learned to new situations.

Content

• The course begins by introducing key concepts and methods in the study of human populations: Basic principles and methods of formal, quantitative demography: population structures and dynamics, the study of fertility and mortality.
• Qualitative approaches to the study of populations, and recent developments in the rapprochement between demography and social anthropology.
• These basic theories and concepts are then applied to a range of contemporary issues in human populations and development, such as: Demographic and social impacts of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Strategies for safe motherhood in developing countries.
• The importance of family planning programmes relative to socio-economic development in explaining contemporary fertility decline.
• The impact of fertility decline and ageing populations in North-Western Europe.
• The relationship between female education, empowerment and demographic change in developing countries.
• (Issues highlighted will vary from year to year, to ensure the course is kept current and relevant).

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of this module students will: Understand the major demographic theories and principles.
• Be familiar with a broad range of current demographic and development issues in both developing and industrialised countries.
• Have a much deeper understanding of demography and development issues in two particular areas of the students choice.

• Understanding of, and ability to use, basic quantitative demographic methods.

• Be able to present a coherently argued essay.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will provide students with the basic tools of demography and development: theories, quantitative methods and qualitative approaches.
• They will also be used to introduce students to important contemporary issues win demography and development in different parts of the world.
• In seminars, students will apply the basic concepts and theories to particular contemporary issues in demography and development.
• Groups of students will focus on particular geographical areas and ideas over several sessions in order to gain depth of understanding.
• Independent learning will be encouraged by asking students to work, individually and in groups, to prepare for classes.
• In seminars, students will also learn from each other, as each group shares its expertise on similar issues in different areas and contexts.
• Assessment by exam (45 mins - 1 hr), which will be based on compulsory short answer questions, will test students' breadth of understanding of demographic methods, approaches and issues.
• As assessed essay (2000 words) will allow students to show much deeper understanding of one particular development / demographic issue on which they will have focused on in particular during the course.
• The course begins by introducing key concepts and methods in the study of human populations: Basic principles and methods of formal, quantitative demography: population structures and dynamics, the study of fertility and mortality.
• Qualitative approaches to the study of populations, and recent developments in the rapprochement between demography and social anthropology.
• These basic theories and concepts are then applied to a range of contemporary issues in human populations and development, such as: Demographic and social impacts of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Stragegies for safe motherhood in developing countries.
• The importance of family planning programmes relative to socio-economic development in explaining contemporary fertility decline.
• The impact of fertility decline and ageing populations in North-Western Europe.
• The relationship between female education, empowerment and demographic change in developing countries.
• (Issues highlighted will vary from year to year, to ensure the course is kept current and relevant).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1 x 2000 word essay; self assessment worksheets

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University