Demographic analysis

Teacher(s)

Schnor Christine;

Language

French

Main themes

The following themes are taught and developed in a transversal and longitudinal perspective:

• Demographic structures (age, sex, marital status…) and population growth ;
• Methods of fertility analysis ;
• Methods of mortality analysis ;
• Methods of internal migration analysis  ;
• Introduction to interactions between demographic movements and structures.

This course develops the concepts and methods studied in the introductory course to demography (SPED 1211) and enlarges its application field.

Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :
1.	have acquired the tools to master the main methods and approaches of demographic analysis.

Content

The LDEMO 2160 course provides a solid introduction to demographic analysis. It explores further the concepts and methods seen in Introduction to Demography (LSPED 1211) and broadens the scope of this course. At the end of this course, students will be able 
- to understand the fundamental tools of demographic analysis (rates, quotients, synthetic indices, etc.) and their applications,
- to resort to the main methods of analysing the components of population change, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally
- to mobilise these tools and methods in the context of concrete applications (based on individual or aggregated data). 
-to read and use reference books in English.
Topics covered: 
- Crude rates and age-specific probabilities and rates, Lexis diagram, direct and indirect standardization. 
- Mortality analysis: cohort and period life tables, introduction to cause-specific mortality analysis, disability-free life expectancies, decomposition of differences in life expectancies,...
 - Fertility analysis: fertility rate by age and rank, parity progression, proximate determinants...
 - Methods for analysing migration and nuptiality 

Teaching methods

The course is structured around lectures and practical work. Active participation in courses and sessions of practical work is essential. 

Evaluation methods

A dispensatory test allowing students to evaluate their command of the material is organised in the middle of the semester.
 The final assessment is based on a written exam organized during the regular session.

Other information

Introduction to demography (SPED 1211) is recommended but not mandatory.
The exam takes the form of a written examination.
Lecture notes and portfolio of readings.
A teaching assistant helps with practical work sessions (20 h tutorials)

Online resources

http://papp.iussp.org/

Bibliography

A. Hinde. Demographic Methods. Hodder Arnold Publication. Arnold, 1998.
S. Preston, P. Heuveline, and M. Guillot. Demography : Measuring and Modeling Population Processes, volume m. Blackwell, 2001.
D.T. Rowland. Demographic Methods and Concepts. Oxford University Press, 2003
H. Le Bras. The nature of demography. Princeton University Press, 2008.

Faculty or entity

> PSAD