30203 - INTERNATIONAL DEMOGRAPHY

CLEAM (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-S/04) - CLEF (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-S/04) - CLEACC (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-S/04) - BESS-CLES (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-S/04) - BIEMF (6 credits - I sem. - OP  |  SECS-S/04)

Course Director:
GUIDO ALFANI

Classes: 31 (I sem.)

Instructors:
Class 31: GUIDO ALFANI

The course discusses the interrelationships between population dynamics and social and economic dynamics, in a comparative and international perspective. After an introduction on the long-term developments of the world population, the course focuses on key demographic issues concerning present times: sustainable development and the future of the world population, demographic problems in developing countries and in the Western world, population policies and the analysis of demographic data. The topics and tools presented are useful for students interested in the functioning of international markets, mid-long term economic dynamics, population history, sustainable development, inequality and the role of international organizations. The course has an introductory and applied style.

• Long-term dynamics of the world population. The Demographic Transition: a passage from constraint to choice?
• Some analytical demographic tools for the study of population dynamics.
• Land, labor and population. Malthus and Boserup.
• Contemporary population problems in developing countries. Comparative case studies: China and India.
• Population and environment.
• Contemporary population problems in Europe and other developed countries. The Second Demographic Transition. Low fertility and population ageing. The situation in countries in transition.
• International migrations: theories, evidence, political debate.
• International demographic research: institutions, data sources, methods. Demographic indicators used in the study of human development, large-scale comparative survey projects.
• The post-transition regime: towards a convergence of demographic behavior? The international and European situation.
• The uncertain future of population: forecasts and projections.