This module provides an introduction to global population trends and processes. The headlines are dominated by pressing population issues, such as falling birth rates, ageing communities and migration flows. Students will take away from this module an understanding of how the most important population issues have emerged and changed over time. It provides students with the theoretical tools needed to understand why fertility, mortality and migration, vary over time and space. The module also takes a critical approach to understanding population research, and considers how population issues are presented beyond academia.

The module provides an ideal substantive complement to the module Demographic Methods, which provides a technical introduction to population issues, though Population Studies is a stand-alone module which does not need to be taken alongside Demographic Methods.

Participants will gain the skills needed to evaluate research literature on population trends, and critically reflect on how population issues are presented in the media.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, a student will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of broad contemporary and historical variations and trends in demographic trends, particularly mortality and fertility, but also migration, in human populations.
• Articulate and critique arguments about what explains fertility and mortality variation and trends by making use of key literature in the field.
• Understand the population and other consequences of changes in fertility, mortality and migration.
• Identify the key implications of population change for public health and public policy, such as for fertility, health, and development policies.
• Develop a critical understanding of the use of data and research on population issues, including beyond academia.

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics:

• Contemporary population trends and processes. 
• The demographic transition.
• Theoretical perspectives on population change & the importance of taking an inter-disciplinary approach to understanding population. 
• Influence of economic and social factors, and public health measures as determinants of mortality and health.
• Persistence of differentials in health and fertility differentials in contemporary populations.
• The future of world population.
• Demographic and public health consequences of population change.
• Population policies and contemporary debates.
• The importance of understanding the positionality of researchers when working on population issues.

Mode of delivery

This module is delivered predominantly face-to-face. Where specific teaching methods (lectures, seminars, discussion groups) are noted in this module specification these will be delivered by predominantly face-to-face sessions. There will be a combination of live and interactive activities (synchronous learning) as well as self-directed study (asynchronous learning).

Assessment

The assessment for this module has been designed to measure student learning against the module's intended learning outcomes (ILOs) as listed above. Formative assessment methods may be used to measure students’ progress. The grade for summative assessment(s) only will go towards the overall award GPA. 

The module will be assessed by a written assignment to be submitted in the last week of Term 1 (100% of the GPA).

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.