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The world is in the middle of momentuous population transformations that also impact economies, well-being, social policies, health and welfare system across countries. Recent news about the milestone of 8 billion people living on the planet was met with a mix of cautious celebration and worries. Whereas some countries still record rapid population growth, many face declining population, outmigration, and record low fertility rates. Long-term expansion of life expectancy coupled with declining fertility contribute to population ageing which requires wide-reaching adjustments in labour market, health care and social security systems. What are the main challenges linked with population trends in different parts of the world? How are different countries responding to these challenges? What are the likely future population changes and how can societies adjust to these changes?
This course consists of six blocs, 90 minutes each. It covers in a nutshell selected global population trends that are often seen as problematic or challenging at a national or a global scale, including low and very low fertility, high and stalling fertility, changes in family relations, international migration, population aging, population decline and distorted sex ratios at birth. Population challenges in selected countries and regions, including Europe, China, India, and the United States, will also be discussed. The goal is not to provide a detailed account of population trends, but rather to critically discuss some of the key population issues and their driving factors within a broader context of social and economic change. The course also considers different strategies and policy responses to demographic change. Students are expected to be actively involved in the seminar through discussing the themes of the seminar, reading suggested papers, and preparing am assignment. The course is in English and will be concluded with an exam; see more details below. Keywords: Global population change, population challenges, population and development, fertility, mortality, migration, population decline, population policies, population projections, Europe, China Last update: Kurtinová Olga, RNDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.02.2023)
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Literature is provided during the semester. Last update: Kurtinová Olga, RNDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.02.2023)
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Requirements, course assignment Students are expected to read selected papers in English; reading lists of required and suggested papers and books for each topic will be provided during the course. Each student is expected to prepare an assignment, selecting one of the options outlined below. The assignment topic should be approved by the lecturer, Tomas Sobotka. Assignments can be prepared by individual students or by two cooperating students. Each student has to successfully pass an exam to complete the course. The working language of the course and of the assignments is English.
Exam requirements: • Successfully completing an assignment (40%); see more detailed information below • Two short tests during the course (30%); students can work with their notes and external sources • Final oral exam (in person or online via Zoom) (30%)
Assignment options 1. Prepare a short seminar paper • An essay on a selected topic related to population issues and challenges (broadly defined) • Short & focused: 2-6 pages (plus references); can contain a few illustrations (figures, maps, tables) created by the student These essays should not provide detailed or comprehensive review on a given topic, but rather a compelling argument, which is clearly formulated and then critically discussed and evaluated. Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to formulate clear questions and arguments, show independent thinking, and, by using available data and literature, to build support for their argumentation and reach a convincing conclusion. 2. Prepare an infographic on selected population issue • Series of charts, maps, illustrations with short texts • The design, clarity, and the interconnection between different elements important (Wikipedia: Infographics (…) are graphic visual representations of information, data, or knowledge intended to present information quickly and clearly) Assignments – evaluation criteria: All assignments: • Style of presentation, clarity • Work with the literature (a few relevant studies sufficient); all sources need to be documented • Work with the data (when relevant), graphical presentation (when relevant) • Demonstration of critical thinking, novelty and relevance of the topic • Originality (please avoid copy-pasting from the existing sources) Essays: • Structure, coherence, logic and plausibility of argumentation • Justification of conclusions (logical, plausible, how convincing) Infographic • Design and visual presentation; how informative and well does it convey data, facts and links between different phanomena
Deadlines: Assignment topic to be suggested by 13 March 2023 (i.e., until the 3rd lecture); topics can be consulted with the lecturer in advance. Each topic needs to be approved by the lecturer, T. Sobotka. Students can give a short (2-3 minutes) presentation of their topic during Lectures 4-6. Deadline for completing the assignments: 5 June 2023 (recommended earlier)
Last update: Kurtinová Olga, RNDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (12.02.2023)
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Outline of the course schedule: The schedule may be revised, also based on the discussions during the lectures and students’ preferences. Lecture 1 (13 February 2023): • Introduction, info about the course, assignments, exam • Why demography matters: thinking about contemporary population challenges • International migration challenges (1): Global migration – an overview Lecture 2 (27 February 2023): • International migration challenges (2): Migration in highly developed countries • Global fertility: too high or too low? Lecture 3 (13 March 2023): • Global fertility: low and very fertility. Trends, drivers, consequences • Do family policies affect fertility? Lecture 4 (27 March 2023): • Mortality and population aging • Covid-19 pandemic: a demographic perspective Lecture 5 (17 April 2023) Attention!!! Lecture 17 April 2023 is cancelled, next lecture takes place 26 April 2023 16:30-18:00, lecture room Z3
• Population challenges in two Asian giants: China and India Lecture 6 (15 May 2023): • Future population challenges: scenarios until 2100 • Policy options and responses to population change Last update: Kurtinová Olga, RNDr. Mgr., Ph.D. (13.04.2023)
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