5 credits
30.0 h
Q2
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. |
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
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
The active pedagogy method is based on just-in-time teaching, work on small groups, and interactions via an online tool (Wooclap).
Evaluation methods
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:
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
Other information
Introduction to demography (SPED 1211) is recommended.
Online resources
Presentations and other resources are available on MoodleUCL.
Bibliography
- Les présentations et autres ressources sont disponibles sur MoodleUCL.
Bibliography available at each session depending on the theme.
Teaching materials
- Les présentations et autres ressources sont disponibles sur MoodleUCL.
Faculty or entity
PSAD
