The module takes a big-picture approach to the relationship between population, poverty and the environment, with a primary focus on how these issues affect low- and middle-income countries. 

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the main debates around the links between population, poverty and the environment so that they can assess the policy implications of demographic change. The topics considered include: population growth; trends in health inequalities; migration; urbanisation; livelihoods and households; environmental change and demographic impacts; population ageing; measuring poverty and population policies.

Intended learning outcomes

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

• Understand the complex inter-relationships between population trends, human welfare and the environment in relatively low-income countries
• Assess the significance of these issues for development, health and social policy, with emphasis on poverty reduction strategies in low- and middle-income countries

Session Content

The module is expected to cover the following topics: 

• Population growth and its economic impact
• Population policies
• Defining and measuring poverty and livelihoods
• Climate change, demographic trends and development
• Inequalities in child survival in low- and middle-income countries
• International migration
• Internal migration and urbanisation
• Population ageing

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. 

Assessment is entirely based on an essay on one of the three discussion topics on which the student did not lead the discussion. Thus, each student is required to prepare intensively for at least two of the four discussion topics and to read background material on the other two. The essay format enables students to show they understand complex inter-relationships between population trends, welfare and the environment and to assess the significance of these issues for development, health and social policy.

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

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

Please note: information based on the 2024-25 module specification subject to change for 2025-26 entry.