MIGRANTS, REFUGEES, AND POLITICS

The course provides students with a basic understanding of the science of demography, health implications of major population issues, immigration/emigration and refugees in the contemporary world. Students explore population changes over time; elements of demography; fertility and mortality; demographic change; the demography of social and economic inequality, role of women, urbanization, migration. Finally, students evaluate world demographic patterns, synthesizing the data and issues surrounding the political and economic impact of the population growth. Consequently, this course also examines the relations between population and development and their potential consequences from a sociological, economic and geographical perspective. Other topics include global variation in population size and growth, various demographic perspectives and their modern implications, environmental impacts, and population policy.

1. Delineate the substantive scope of demography 2. Describe the major trends in birth rates, death rates, population growth, population sex and age structure, and population distribution throughout history 3. Identify the major explanations for changes in demographic rates and population distribution 4. Identify how demographic rates and population distribution impinge upon the health of populations 5. Identify how demographic behaviors affect and are affected by family and kinship structure

• Student Attendance/Participation: 10 percent of the total grade. It will be based on attention/interest paid to the session; and constancy along the semester • Research Paper: 10 percent of the total grade • PowerPoint Presentation: 10 percent of the total grade • Midterm Exam: 30 percent of the total grade. It will be comprised of a set of identifications/short answer questions, and one essay question • Final Exam: 40 percent of the total grade. The final exam is cumulative, and it will be comprised of a set of identifications/short answer questions, and one essay question. Midterm & Final Exams: TAKE HOME

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The students will get an opportunity to learn how these demographic trends of growth and transition affect their life in small and large ways. This course is intended to sharpen students’ perception of population growth and change and increase their awareness of what is happening and why and to help prepare them to cope with a future that will be shared with billions more people than there are today