SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
SYLLABUS
Fall semester 2014
Sociology 350 – Population and Contemporary Issues
Schedule 23163, Thursday: 4:00 – 6:40 PM, Room SH-316
Instructor: Norma Ojeda, Ph.D. Office NH 223, Phone: (619) 594 1320
Office hours: Tuesday: 2:00 – 3:00 PM and by appointment: nojeda@mail.sdsu.edu
Req ui r ed T e xt s:
1. John R. Weeks. Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, 11th edition, Wadsworth,
Cengage Learning, 2012. The textbook is being sold both in the Aztec bookstore and the KBbookstore. However, KB bookstore offers the book at a discount rate.
2. Richard A. Easterlin. “The Accident of Birth: generation size and personal welfare” In Birth and
Fortune: The Impact of Numbers on Personal Welfare. Chicago IL: University of Chicago Press,
1987, pp. 3-34. This is available at the Love library and on Blackboard.
P re s ent ati on
We tend to take for granted the characteristics of the population in different countries, regions and continents.
The combined forces of fertility, morality and migration shaped the size, structure and growth of the
population in each society and all over the world. The overall population’s characteristics may impact
individual people’s lives. For example, the mere fact of being born in a particular year (generation) or
graduate in a particular year (graduation cohort) may determine a person’s challenges and social
opportunities along his/her life span. At the societal level, social order and social change are greatly
influenced by population trends and their impact on the economy, social institutions, ideologies and culture.
The study of society through the lenses of demography and population studies is an interesting and
challenging approach to unveiling the complex nature of some of the most salient contemporary issues from a
global perspective. Aging, family change, international migration, the urban transition, and environmental
change are some examples. The general purpose of this course is to introduce students to the fields of
demography and population studies, as well as to help them to visualize their multiple applications in health
and social sciences, business and practical life.
Learning goals:
1) To introduce students to the main concepts, data sources, and theoretical perspectives on population.
2) To introduce students into some of the basic measurements of demographic indicators.
3) To lead students to attain a better understanding of contemporary issues from the demographic and global
perspectives.
4) To contribute to the students’ critical thinking about the relationship between population issues and social
change.
Class Dynamics.
The course is organized in two complementary parts. The first part of the course reviews basic concepts, data
sources, demographic measurements and theories on population. The second part focuses on the
understanding of the main demographic components: fertility, mortality and migration and the relationship
between demographic change and some of the most salient contemporary global issues such as aging, family
change, international migration, population density, urbanization and environmental change. Students will
review different chapters of the required textbook. These chapters should be read before each class
according to the reading checklist in this syllabus. In addition, a few videos shown in the classroom will
visually illustrate to students some of the population trends learned in the assigned readings. Class
discussion will be highly encouraged.
Requirements and Regulations:
- Satisfaction of prerequisite SOC-201 (some exceptions - ask instructor)
- Regular and consistent class attendance
- Exams taken on the date specified
- Writing assignments completed on the date specified
** Cell phones, pagers, etc. turned off in class.
**Please note that students who do not observe this regulation may be asked to leave
the classroom.
Grading
Evaluation of students’ learning will be done by three mid-term examinations, one research paper of (7-8
pages long) and a series of in class pop-quizzes. The examinations are made up of multiple choice and
false/true questions. Students will need a number two pencil and a Scantrom Form 882 – Lovas for each
multiple-choice examination. Writing instructions for the research assignment will be posted on Blackboard.
The total end-of-semester final grade will be calculated as follows:
Three midterm exams will represent 60 points (20 points each)
One research paper will represent 30 points
Pop quizzes will represent 10 points
There is no final comprehensive exam.
Note: Grades and assignment instructions will be posted on Blackboard. There will be no exam make-ups.
Video materials will be included in examinations. There will be no opportunity to view videos other than
during their scheduled times in class.
Grading Scale:
Number of Points
95— 100
90— 94
87— 89
84 - 86
80— 83
Grade
A
AB+
B
B-
Number of Points
77— 79
74— 76
70— 73
60— 69
less than 60
Grade
C+
C
CD
F
Student Disability
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is
your responsibility to contact Student Disability Services at (619) 594-6473. To avoid any delay
in the receipt of your accommodations, you should contact Student Disability Services as soon as
possible. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, and that I cannot
provide accommodations based upon disability until I have received an accommodation letter from
Student Disability Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.
COURSE OVERVIEW
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO CONCEPTS AND CLASSICAL THEORIES
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 1
8/28
Why Demography Matters?
Video: “World population: a graphic simulation of the history of human…” ITS-SDSU
Chapters 1
...............................................................................................................................................................................
Week # 2
9/4
Population Growth and Spatial Distribution of the World Population
Chapter 2
Video: “Six Billion and Beyond” – ITS – SDSU, 1999
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 3
9/11
The Malthusian Theory and the Neo-Malthusian Perspective
Chapter 3
Video: “For all practical purposes: one size and shape, it growths and…” ITS - SDSU
...............................................................................................................................................................................
Week # 4
9/18
The Marxian Theory and its Population Perspective
Chapter 3
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 5
9/25
The Demographic Transition Theory
Chapter 3
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 6
10/2
Mid-Term Examination # 1 (chapters 1, 2 and 3)
Two Basic Concepts: Generation and Cohort
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
PART TWO – DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE AND GLOBAL POPULATION PROCESSES
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 7
10/9
Sources of Demographic Data
Chapter 4
…………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Week # 8
10/16
Mortality and Health - The Epidemiological Transition
Chapter 5
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 9
10/23
Fertility - The Second Demographic Transition
Chapter 6
Video: Population Transition in Italy
...............................................................................................................................................................................
Week # 10
10/30
Migration and Population Movements
Chapter 7
Video: “Dying to Live.” The University of Notradamus
...................... .........................................................................................................................................................
Week # 11
11/6
Mid-Term Examination # 2 (chapters 4, 5, 6 and 7)
The Mexico - U.S. International Migration
(Guest Speaker from El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Mexico)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Week # 12
11/13
Age and Sex Structure – The Age Transition
Chapter 8
Video: “World in the Balance: the population paradox.” NOVA – KPBS production, 2005
.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 13
11/20
Population Density and Urban Transition
Chapter 9
Videos: “London: The Price of Traffic”
>>>>>>>Turn in Research Paper
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Week # 14
11/ 27
Thanksgiving Break (campus closed)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Week # 15
Population and Environment
Chapter 11
Video: “The Story of Stuff”
12/6
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Week # 16
12/11
Examination #3 (chapters 8. 9 and 11)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….