Video Case Study
Population Transition in Italy
1. Annotate the map showing fertility rates and any
other demographic statistics mentioned in the
video.
2. Why did northern Italy's relatively late and rapid
industrialization lead to the country’s historic drop
in fertility rates?
3. Why has Italy's deeply rooted Roman Catholic culture had the opposite effect on fertility rates from what
one might expect?
4. Describe Italy's dramatic demographic shift in terms of the Demographic Transition Model. Based on the
video and your own analysis, what effects might this shift have on Italian society?
5. What might the Italian government do to entice women to have more children? Based on your own
experience and the testimonies of the women featured in this video, do you think these enticements
would work? Why or why not?
"Italy is facing a serious cultural catastrophe from its low birth rate. A society without babies and
children, just as a society without the elderly, is seriously mutilated and unable to function.”
– Angelo Bagnasco, cardinal archbishop of Genoa
6. Do you agree or disagree with archbishop's Bagnasco view of Italy's demographic situation? Why or why
not?
Video Case Study
Population Pressure in Egypt
Annotate the map to show:
a. fertile agricultural land and
areas of high population density
b. areas of agricultural expansion
c. areas of urban expansion (new
cities)
During the video, make note of important facts and issues that relate to the topics below.
Arithmetic and
Physiological Density
Agriculture
Urbanization