POPULATION AND SOCIETY SYD 3020 Section 02 SPRING 2015
Instructor: Dr. Karin L. Brewster Office: 603a Bellamy Building Email: [email protected] Office hours: T/R 1:00 – 2:15
Phone: 850.644.7106 and by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
We all live out our lives as population members, but very few of us pay much attention to the characteristics of the populations to which we belong. This is unfortunate because population characteristics—and the processes that drive them—shape many critical social issues, including climate change, food security, and the viability of Social Security. The relationship between population and societal concerns is not a simple one, however. The characteristics of the
populations we belong to are the aggregated reflection of countless individual decisions, including our own! The complex relationship between individuals and populations—and the implications of this relationship for our future—is the focus of this class.
More formally, this course provides an introduction to demography, a science that describes what populations look like and how they change, and population studies, a field that considers the how demographic variables are related to social, cultural, economic, and technological factors. The goal of this course is to build your demographic literacy which will enhance your understanding of contemporary social and economic discourse and your ability to participate in that discourse in meaningful ways. By the end of this semester, you will be able to:
1. Identify the core demographic variables and explain how each is related to population growth, distribution, and age composition
2. Differentiate global regions in terms of their current demographic characteristics and population growth rates
3. Explain the roles of culture and technological, economic, and social change in shaping the demographic characteristics of human populations and their social and economic
development status
4. Interpret the global, national, and local implications of population trends and issues from different theoretical perspectives.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
There are no prerequisites for SYD 3020. Note, however, that you are assumed to have: (a) the ability to read and comprehend the articles and source materials that form the primary reading for the course, and (b) the willingness and maturity to consider different viewpoints in intellectual discussions.
COURSE MATERIALS:
Readings: All course readings are available in topic-specific folders in the Course Library on the BlackBoard web site.
COURSE PROCEDURES, CLASSROOM COURTESY, AND ATTENDANCE:
Procedures: Class sessions include lectures, short films, and discussion of course readings and materials presented in lecture. Classes are run informally and I encourage you to ask questions relevant to the day’s topic.
Courtesy: Adherence to the following rules will ensure that all students have the opportunity to learn without external distractions.
o When arranging your schedules, plan to be on time and remain for the duration of the class. Late arrivals and early departures distract everyone. You should not register for this class if you have to arrive late or leave early to attend another course, go to work, or meet other commitments.
o Phones and other alarms and electronic gadgets should be silenced when the class begins.
o Laptops may be used for note-taking only.
o Do not engage in activities likely to distract other students or the instructor, including internet browsing, texting and emailing, gum popping, personal grooming, or talking when others are speaking.
Failure to follow these rules in the classroom or during appointments with the instructor may result in a course grade of F, at the instructor’s option.
Attendance: Course attendance is required. COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Focus questions: Most of the assigned articles are accompanied by focus questions, a short set of questions intended as a study aid. I will collect your answers during class ten times during the semester, without advance notice, beginning with our fourth class meeting. Each set of reasonably accurate answers will earn 4 points; answers that are at least “in the ball park” will earn 3 points; incomplete or “not even close” answers earn 2 points. No answers handed in = no points. Answers must be typed; include your name and FSU email at the top. Focus question answers will be accepted during class only.
Assignments: Four times during the semester, you’ll complete a short analysis of demographic data using Excel. The data will be provided with instructions about how to calculate one or more demographic measures. Once you’ve completed the calculations, you’ll answer a set of questions about the results. Each assignment will be worth 10 points. Answers must be handed in through BlackBoard. Late assignments will be accepted only with
documentation of an on-going illness or selection as a juror in a multi-day trial.
Three tests: Multiple-choice format, two mid-terms in class and one final. The final will be cumulative.
COURSE GRADES:
Focus questions: 40 course points
Assignments: 40 course points
Test 1: 40 course points
Test 2: 40 course points
Test 3: 40 course points
Total: 200 course points
The 200 course points translate to the letter scale used by FSU as follows:
185 – 200 = A 165 – 172 = B 145 – 152 = C 125 – 132 = D 179 – 184 = A- 159 – 164 = B- 139 – 144 = C- 119 – 124 = D- 173 – 178 = B+ 153 – 158 = C+ 133 – 138 = D+ 118 or less = F Incompletes:
In accordance with FSU policy, an “I” grade will be granted only if a student who is passing the course is unable to complete the course due to unanticipated and unavoidable circumstances. Students must provide indisputable documentation of these circumstances.
Missed work:
• If you miss class on a day that I collect focus question answers, you may not turn your answers in later or by email; however, if you provide documentation of an unavoidable absence (e.g., jury duty, military exercises, participation in university-sponsored activities), the missed answers will not count against your grade. Athletes must provide the
appropriate paperwork in advance of an absence; after-the-fact paperwork will not wipe out a zero grade.
• Missed assignments may not be made up without documentation of an unforeseen event lasting at least several days (e.g., flu, selection for a multiple-day jury) prior to the due date. • Tests 1 and 2 may be made up only when the student has provided Dr. Brewster with
documentation of an unanticipated and unavoidable absence (e.g., hospitalization, jury duty). Students have one week following their return to campus to provide documentation and schedule the make-up test.
• Final exam: Students who miss the final exam and who can document that their absence was due to some unforeseeable, unavoidable event may either take the exam at another time during finals week or, if eligible, receive an I grade. University policy requires that all take exams at the scheduled time unless they have petitioned their academic dean for a change; policy available at http://registrar.fsu.edu/dir_class/spring/exam_schedule.htm . OFFICE HOURS AND ASSISTANCE:
Having problems that are affecting your course performance? Need help understanding a course concept? Want more information about something discussed in class? Come to office hours or arrange an appointment by sending Dr. B~ an email with the times you are able to meet.
COURSE-RELATED EMAIL
BlackBoard enables faculty to send e-mail messages to your FSU account. Please make it a habit to check your FSU email daily for alerts about the course (e.g., test date or syllabus
http://its.fsu.edu/Students for instructions. FSU ACADEMIC HONOR POLICY
ALL students enrolled in this course are expected to abide by the Academic Honor Policy. What does the Honor Policy mean in the context of this class?
All work you hand in for this class must be your own.
You may not use any materials other than your brain and a pencil during exams. This includes notes, crib sheets, and text-messages.
Academic dishonesty will result in a failing course grade and all students involved will be reported to the Dean of Students. A full explanation of the Honor Code is available on-line at: http://academichonor.fsu.edu/policy/policy.html
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
During the first two weeks of class, students with disabilities needing academic accommodation should (1) register with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource Center; and (2) present to Professor Brewster documentation from the Center indicating the need for and type of accommodation.
For information about services available to FSU students with disabilities, contact the Student Disability Resource Center at the Dean of Students Office. They’re located in the Student Services Building. Phone them at: (850) 644-9566 (voice) or (850) 644-8504 (TDD), email them at [email protected] or visit their web site at
http://www.fsu.edu/~staffair/dean/StudentDisability COURSE CALENDAR AND READINGS
Readings are indicated by authors’ names and all are available in topic-specific folders on BlackBoard. All readings are required. Arrange your schedule so that you cover each reading in the week that it is assigned.
Dates Topics Reading
January 8 Introduction to the course Malthus & Bebel (recommended) January 13, 15 On a Path to 10 Billion?
o A. Coale, 1974 o J. Cohen, 2009 o PRB handbook January 20, 22 Mortality and its role in
population growth
o J. McFalls, 2007, pp. 8-12 o J. Wilmoth, 2000
January 27, 29 February 3
Worlds Apart: Mortality in International Perspective
o National Academy of Sciences, 2013 (US)
o A. Kaler & S. Watkins, 2010 o M. Murphy
o UN Interagency Group, 2014
February 5
TEST 1
Dates Topics Reading
February 10, 12
Fertility: biology, behavior, and society
o McFalls, pp. 4-8 o Gibbs (2010)
o Kirmeyer & Hamilton, 2012 o Billlings, 1893/1976
February 17, 19
Women, men, and babies: Fertility in international perspective
o Myrskylä et al., 2009
o Yoder, Guèye, and Koneté, ch. 4 o Smith, 2004
February 24 Assignment 2 due
February 24, 25 People on the move: migration within national boundaries
o J. McFalls (2007): 12-15, 23-25 o W. Frey (2010)
March 3, 5, 17 Migration on a global scale
o Martin, 2012
o Population Action International, 2014
o Clifton, 2012
March 19 TEST 2
March 24 Assignment 3 due
March 24, 26,
31 Populations growing older
o A. Coale, 1964/1987 o McFalls, pp. 17-23 o J. Rowe, 2011 o Smeeding, 2014
April 2, 7, 9 Populations growing younger o Gribble & Bremner, 2012
April 14 Assignment 4 due
April 14, 16, 21
Was Malthus right? o Sabin, 2013 o Godfray et al. 2010 o J. Speth, 2009 o B. O’Neill, 2009
FINAL Thursday, 7:30-9:30
SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY
