Sociology: Population, Environment & Soc

Analysis of the causes and consequences of varying relationships among population size, distribution and composition, social organization, technology, and resource base. Prerequisite: Three hours of Sociology.

Prerequisites: 3 hours of Sociology; min Sophomore standing; PACE students with permission and override

The global population is rising, even though the rates of fertility, mortality, and migration vary widely across regions. These changes in population composition are having a significant impact on family structure, natural resources, and society. It is therefore essential that we develop a better understanding of how population change is associated with environmental and societal systems. This requires us to develop understanding of the techniques to measuring fertility, mortality, and migration, and to relate these measures to a deeper understanding of human-environment systems, considering the meaningful and impactful interactions of humans with the ecological system. In this course, we will review population trends across regions, learn to calculate basic measures of demography (e.g., birth/death rates, migration rates, life expectancy), and assess how these components of population change may relate to the environment and society. In addition to an Intro and Final, the course is divided into six primary learning modules: 1) Study of Populations, 2) Fertility, 3) Mortality, 4) Migration, 5) Population Change, and 6) Population Challenges.

By the end of the course, students will learn to interpret global demographic data, develop an understanding of worldwide variation in fertility, mortality, and migration patterns driven by the global differences in culture, economy, and history. They will also achieve numerical competencies by calculating and interpreting the population statistics. In summary, students will: • gain the ability to analyze and use demographic data from around the world. • learn to appreciate the diversity of human population dynamics and how cultural, economic, environmental, and historical factors shape them. • understand how the lives of individuals and the characteristics of populations are interconnected. • master the ability to critically evaluate the quality and reliability of demographic data. • calculate and interpret quantitative measures of populations and population change. • develop the ability to communicate effectively about population data and its implications.

• Assignments will help students learn how to compute and apply quantitative data to understand population dynamics in a real-world setting. • Quizzes (in-class) will assess students' understanding and comprehension of the course materials and concepts. • Discussions (in-class) will encourage students to apply what they learn to current events in the US and around the world.