Course Synopsis:
This seminar uses quantitative sources and methods to explore demographic experience and social inequality. It examines the value of such data for policy purposes, as well as the social and cultural contexts in which demographic and other quantitative evidence is generated and collected. Students acquire skills for employment and graduate school by improving their capacity for quantitative description and analysis. During the first half of the semester we survey the historical experience of demographic change, review simple statistical concepts, and acquire direct ‘hands-on’ experience with databases. In the second half of the semester, students develop and report on independent research projects using quantitative evidence.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, student will have gained:
- knowledge of demographic experience and social inequality
- understanding of quantitative methods
- critical appreciation of the role of quantitative evidence
- ability to communicate using both quantitative and qualitative evidence
- capacity for independent research
Method of Evaluation and Weights:
Newspaper article commentaries - 5%
Database creation - 10%
Database report and analysis - 5%
Class discussion - 10%
Presentation of research proposals - 5%
Discussion and feedback student presentations - 15%
Independent research presentation and essay - 50%
Texts Required:
Massimo Livi-Bacci, A Concise History of World Population (Wiley-Blackwell, 5th edition 2012)
Pat Hudson, History By Numbers: An Introduction to Quantitative Approaches (London: Arnold, 2000)
Please note: This is a preliminary website description only. The department reserves the right to change without notice any information in this description. The final, binding course outline will be distributed in the first class of the semester.
