Population and Society
| Module title | Population and Society |
|---|---|
| Module code | SPA1002 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Nitzan Peri-Rotem (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This module will introduce you to the field of demography – the systematic study of human populations. Recent developments including the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and changing immigration policy, or population ageing, have demonstrated the increasing importance of understanding demographic processes of mortality, migration and fertility. In this module, you will learn about how these processes drive population change and the ways in which these changes affect or influenced by social and political developments in the UK, as well as other parts of the world.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will cover key demographic theories, including the first and the second demographic transition theories and the low fertility trap hypothesis. We will discuss different ways of measuring fertility, mortality and migration and how they are shaped by societal-level factors, such as education and economic developments. We will also discuss the role of policy interventions in shaping population trends, as in the case of China’s one-child policy or other policies aimed at regulating population size and structure. In addition, this module will cover issues of inequality in health and longevity and the complex relationship between population growth and climate change.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Understanding basic demographic concepts and measures
- 2. Gaining knowledge of key demographic theories of population change
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Understanding the inter-relationship between society and population processes
- 4. Learning about determinants of inequality across countries and population groups
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Critical evaluation of population policies and their implications
- 6. Ability to interpret demographic-related data
Syllabus plan
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hour weekly lecture/seminar sessions (1 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar) |
| Guided independent study | 58 | Weekly reading and preparation for seminars |
| Guided independent study | 15 | Preparation of formative essay |
| Guided independent study | 55 | Preparation of summative presentation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographic profile of a chosen country | 500 words | 1-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A recorded narrated power point presentation (slides with audio description) which is an extension of the formative essay | 100 | 20 minutes (equivalent to 2,000 words) | 1-6 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| A recorded narrated power point presentation (slides with audio description) which is an extension of the formative essay | Recorded narrated presentation (20 minutes, equivalent to 2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Holdsworth, C., Finney, N., Marshal, A. and Norman, P. (2013). Population and Society. London: Sage.
- Kertzer, D. I., & Arel, D. (Eds.). (2001). Census and Identity: The Politics of Race, Ethnicity, and Language in National Censuses. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Kirk, D. (1996) Demographic Transition Theory. Population Studies, 50:3, 361-387.
- Lesthaeghe, R. (2010), The Unfolding Story of the Second Demographic Transition. Population and Development Review, 36: 211-251.
- Madise, N. J., Dodoo, N. D., Mushomi, J. A. and Mankhwala, C. S. (2024). Understanding the complex relationship between population and climate change mitigation. Vienna Yearbook of Population Research, 22(1): 53-59.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 24/03/2025 |
