Theories of socio-demographic change

Teacher(s)

Bocquier Philippe; Rizzi Ester Lucia;

Language

French

Main themes

The main topics are the following:
General elements of terminology (theory, explanation, causality, level of analysis, conceptual framework, etc.) ;
The main contemporary paradigms, from hard-line Malthusianism to anti-Malthusianism ;
Theories of demographic transition, from old to recent forms ;
The main theoretical approaches to fertility, classifications and typologies ;
Factors associated to nuptiality ;
Explanatory theories of mortality ;
An insight at the theoretical field in internal and international migrations ;
Interests, difficulties and limits of general or universal theories.

Aims

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1.	Master theories and explanations in the field of social and economic demography, to develop a critical view on the related literature, ability to build hypotheses, and to interpret changes.

Content

This course addresses the broad challenge of understanding, explaining and theorizing in demography. At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify the major theories, doctrines and explanatory approaches specific to each major demographic phenomenon (fertility, union formation, mortality, migration, urbanization) or population-development relations;
• Identify the causal relationships between variables;
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of micro, meso and macro analysis levels;
• Help identify one or the other theoretical or explanatory approach for the Master's dissertation.

Teaching methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The active pedagogy method is based on just-in-time teaching, work on small groups, and interactions via an online tool (Wooclap).

Evaluation methods

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the information in this section is particularly likely to change.

The 7 intermediate works are to be posted on the Wednesday before the course, at 4 pm at the latest. They are evaluated on 20 and contribute to the final score with a weight of 0.05 each.
The critical reading of an article presents a theory related to the subject of the dissertation, accompanied by a proposal of 5-6 empirical articles related to the subject of the dissertation. This work is rated out of 20 and contributes to the final grade with a weight of 0.05.
The 2 oral presentation sessions will focus on a theoretical article and on the progress of the final work. Each presentation is evaluated on 20 and contributes to the final score with a weight of 0.05. The evaluation criteria of the oral presentation (15 min) are:

• Clarity of the oral presentation and the slide show
• Quality of the presentation.
• Conclusion and answers to questions and criticisms

The written work is rated on 20 and it contributes to the final grade with a weight of 0.50. Each of the (5) parts of the work will be evaluated according to criteria of clarity and quality of the analysis.

Other information

Introduction to demography (SPED 1211) is recommended.
COVID-19 : 
In yellow code, the auditorium is large enough to accommodate all the students in person. However, if the number of students is larger than expected or if the orange code is applied, then the teaching will switch to a comodal format (half of the cohort in the classroom, the other half in distance learning, alternately from one week to the next).
Regardless of the teaching mode, the evaluation mode remains the same. Classroom exercises are adapted to sanitation rules.

Online resources

Presentations and other resources are available on MoodleUCL.

Bibliography

Bibliographie mise à disposition à chaque séance en fonction du thème abordée.
Bibliography available at each session depending on the theme.

Faculty or entity

PSAD