Demography

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the determinants of population processes and to prepare them for writing academic papers that incorporate basic methods of demographic analysis. The course helps students develop the ability to identify and address research problems. A key component is the analysis of interactions between demographic and socio-economic phenomena at global, regional, and local levels. Students will also learn to use statistical data sources and scientific literature effectively.

The intended learning outcomes include the ability to write academic papers appropriately; to search for, analyze, interpret, and present demographic data; and to demonstrate knowledge of fundamental population theories, phenomena, and processes.

To pass the course, students must actively participate in classes, prepare a written paper, and pass a final written exam.

This course is structured across two semesters and combines lectures, discussions, and hands-on workshops in computer labs to explore demographic processes in their economic and social contexts. In the first semester, lectures provide the theoretical foundation, which is further developed through discussions and analytical tasks completed individually, in pairs, or in groups. A key focus is on recognizing population phenomena as social and economic issues, and applying basic methods of demographic analysis to interpret them.

In the second semester, students apply these skills by developing an individual research paper. This involves choosing a topic and formulating a research aim, presenting a detailed outline in class, and submitting a final paper (up to 6,000 words), which will be reviewed and graded by the lecturers.

The course fosters critical thinking and independent problem-solving, equipping students for further study as well as for addressing challenges in their professional and everyday lives.

Classes on the population problems:

1. Demographic processes from a historical perspective. Have people always lived as long and had as few children as currently in Poland (and, if not, why)? World’s population since the Neolithic revolution

2. Union Formation: Theories and Patterns. We will examine theoretical frameworks and empirical patterns related to partner selection, assortative mating, and the dynamics of matching in populations. Attention will also be given to age and other demographic differentials in union formation.

3. Union Dissolution and Stability. We will consider economic, demographic, and sociological perspectives on what contributes to separation or divorce, including the role of uncertainty, partner characteristics, and broader societal trends.

4. The demand for children. Why higher-income countries are characterized with lower fertility than lower-income countries? The quality-quantity model. Life-cycle models of fertility.

5. Mortality. Mortality indicators. Global trends towards lower infant and child mortality. Cause-specific mortality indicators. Historical trends in violent death ratios. Historical trends in HIV deaths. Medical innovation and survival rates: cancer survival rates across the world. Differentials in mortality.

6. Population ageing. Measures of population ageing. Causes of ageing. Global trends towards rising life expectancy. Social and economic consequences of ageing. The impact of ageing on innovation and technological progress.

7. Family policies. Natalism (pronatalism) vs. antinatalism. Pronatalist vs antinatalist policies. The consequences of coercive antinatalist policies. One-child and two-child policies in China. Fertility policies across the world. Fertility policies and economies of scale.

8. Migration. The complexity of migration. Attitudes towards immigrants in host countries. Immigration policy in the US and in Europe now and in the past.

9. Demographic transition. Five stages of demographic transition. Differences in the speed of demographic transition. Economic development and demographic transition. The role of cultural factors and social norms in the demographic transition. The fifth stage of demographic transition: possible scenarios.

10. Urbanization. Measuring urbanization. Urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas. The role of urbanization in economic development. Urban economies of scale. Network effects (demand-side economies of scale). Urbanization and innovation. The impacts of urban zoning laws and building codes. NIMBY vs YIMBY. Charter cities.

Classes on the rules of preparing an academic paper:

1. How to write an academic paper? Formal rules.

2. How to plan well the work on an academic paper? What are the function and rules of preparing a summary of the paper?

3. How to form research goals, hypothesis, and question?

Obligatory:

Becker, G.S. (1960) "An Economic Analysis of Fertility," In: Becker, G.S. (ed.) Demographic and Economic Change in Developed Countries. Princeton University Press.

Galor, O. (2012). The demographic transition: causes and consequences. Cliometrica, 6(1), 1-28.

OECD| European Commission. (2020). Cities in World: A new perspective on urbanisation.

Oppenheimer, V. K. (1994). Women's rising employment and the future of the family in industrial societies. Population and development review, 293-342.

Sobotka, T., A. Matysiak, Z. Brzozowska. 2019. “Policy responses to low fertility: How effective are they?” New York: UNFPA, Working Paper No. 1, May 2019 Technical Division Working Paper Series, Population & Development Branch

Becker, H. S. (2007). Writing for social scientists: How to start and finish your thesis, book, or article (2nd ed.). University of Chicago Press.

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the determinants of population processes and to prepare them for writing academic papers that incorporate basic methods of demographic analysis. The course develops students' ability to identify research problems, formulate research questions and hypotheses, use demographic data and scientific literature, conduct basic analyses, and communicate research findings in written and oral form. The first semester focuses on core demographic processes and methods and concludes with a written exam; the second semester, Academic Writing, guides students through the development and presentation of an individual research paper.

This course is structured across two semesters. The first semester introduces core demographic concepts, processes, data, and analytical approaches and concludes with a written exam. The second semester, Academic Writing, is devoted to developing an individual research paper and the research, writing, academic-integrity, and presentation skills needed to complete it.

First semester: Demographic processes and methods

1. What is Demography?

2. Demographic Data and Population Growth

3. Fertility I: Measuring Fertility

4. Fertility II: Understanding Fertility Change

5. Romantic Partnerships and Union Dynamics I

6. Romantic Partnerships and Union Dynamics II

7. Migration

8. Urbanization

9. Mortality and Longevity

10. Morbidity and Health

11. Population Ageing and Population Decline

12. Population Projections and Demographic Futures

13. Public Policies: Can Governments Change Demographic Behaviour?

Second semester: Academic Writing

1. Introductory class

2. Research Questions and Hypotheses

3. Literature Review

4. Data Collection and Analysis

5. Research Design Discussion Session

6. How to Avoid Plagiarism and Use AI Ethically

7. How to Write: Introduction

8. How to Write: Literature Review

9. How to Write: Methodology, Results, and Conclusions

10. Public Speaking

The course combines lectures, discussions, practical exercises, and research workshops. In the second semester, students work individually and in class on the successive stages of their research paper, from the formulation of the research question through data analysis, writing, and oral presentation.

Obligatory:

Lundquist, J. H., Anderton, D. L., & Yaukey, D. (2015). Demography: The study of human population (4th ed.). Waveland Press. Lira University Library OPAC

Poston, D. L., Jr., & Bouvier, L. F. (2010). Population and society: An introduction to demography. Cambridge University Press

Eke, D. O. (2023). ChatGPT and the rise of generative AI:

threat to academic integrity?. Journal of Responsible

Technology, 13, 100060.

Graff, G., & Birkenstein, C. (2024). “They Say / I Say”: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing (6th ed.). W. W.

Norton & Company.

Becker, H. S. (2020). Writing for Social Scientists: How to

Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article (3rd ed.).

University of Chicago Press.