BSOC201 - IFE

BSOC201
Demography and Development

ECTS Value: 5 ECTS

Contact Hours: 25

Self Study Hours: 75

Assessment Hours: 25

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

This module introduces course participants to demography which is the study of populations. The study of demography for this unit introduces course participants to topics such as trends in fertility, mortality, migration, family structure, and population growth. It will also introduce course participants in the application of demography to the study of society.

By the end of this programme, participants should be able to:

Competences

systematically analyse trends in demography and population movements and changes with special reference to Malta;
critically appreciate different demographic models;
critically evaluate demographic trends, using Malta and Europe as a case study; analyse arguments with regards to demography and how these affect society, using Malta as a case study.

Knowledge

understand basic demographic measures;
systematically recognise and utilize the historical and current sources of population data using Malta as a case study;
describe and interpret population/demographic change, with special reference to Malta;
how to obtain demographic data;
critically evaluate contemporary demographic issues, using Malta as a case study;
systematically comprehend basic concepts in demography such as: fertility, mortality, migration, family structure, Population distribution population census, Population mobility, population growth, Urbanisation and Push and pull factors in population movement

Skills

identify the appropriate theories in relation to demography and population;
identify the best form of research approach to understand demography;
critically apply the theories explored and studied to real life situation;
systematically Interpret and critically apply data gathered through qualitative and quantitative methods in demography;
reference correctly the appropriate literature used;
develop the ability to plan and develop a research project/assignment;
critically apply the theories of demographic change to the social context, including poverty, welfare and ageing.

Mode of Delivery

This module adopts a blended approach to teaching and learning. Information related to the structure and delivery of the module may be accessed through the IfE Portal. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures found on the Institute for Education’s website.

Assessment Methods

This programme adopts continuous and summative methods of assessment including assignments, online tasks, reflective journals, projects and video presentations. For further details, kindly refer to the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy and Procedures.

Suggested Readings

Core Reading List

Cox, P. (1976). Demography. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Poston, Dudley L., and Leon F. Bouvier. Population and Society : an Introduction to Demography. Cambridge U.P., 2010.

White, Michael J. International Handbook of Migration and Population Distribution. Vol. 6, Springer Netherlands, 2016.

Supplementary Reading List

Swanson, David A., and SpringerLink. The Frontiers of Applied Demography. 2017.

Siegel, Jacob S., and David A. Swanson. The Methods and Materials of Demography. 2nd ed., Elsevier Academic P., 2004.

Newell, Colin. Methods and Models in Demography. John Wiley &Amp; Sons, 1988.

Pressat, Roland, and Christopher Wilson. The Dictionary of Demography. Blackwell Reference, 1985.

Tuljapurkar, Shripad. “Demography as the Human Story.” Population and Development Review, vol. 37, no. 1, 2011, pp. 166–171.