The history and evolution of world population under the increasing constraints of available resources. How to reconcile individual freedom (e.g. to have as many children as one likes) with collective needs (e.g., avoid overpopulation). The contentious issue of international migration: definition, sources, characteristics, levels and trends, effects - with special reference to Europe. Integration of and attitudes towards foreigners: measures and interpretations.
1) Massimo Livi Bacci (2017) Our Shrinking Planet, John Wiley and Sons Ltd
2) UN International Migration Report 2017, http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publications/migrationreport/docs/MigrationReport2017.pdf
3) Coleman D. (2008), The demographic effects of international migration in Europe, Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 24 (3):452–476. https://core.ac.uk/download/files/88/228074.pdf
4) Savelkoul M., Scheepers P., Tolsma J. and Hagendoorn L. (2011) Anti-Muslim attitudes in The Netherlands: tests of contradictory hypotheses derived from ethnic competition theory and intergroup contact theory, Eur Sociol Rev 27 (6): 741-758. doi: 10.1093/esr/jcq035
(A/N papers #2 to #4 can be downloaded from Moodle)
Obiettivi Formativi
1) Knowledge of: a) basic demographic mechanisms (and time scale); b) what has happened to world population, globally and by region, and why; c) available sources, their potentialities and their limitations;
2) Abilities acquired at the end of the course: a) autonomous search for the relevant sources regarding population issues; b) critical approach to population issues, with a special emphasis on the necessity of going beyond averages and considering also heterogeneity (i.e., differences within a population);
3) Capacity to interpret critically statistical tables, graphs and regression analyses; to speak in public; to consider contentious matters from various angles; to look at population issues separating facts from opinions, and using the appropriate time scale.
Prerequisiti
Know how to read and interpret simple tables and graphs.
Metodi Didattici
Lectures, seminars, and debates on contentious issues, where students will be asked to prepare PPT presentations to defend certain theses, or dispute them.
Altre Informazioni
Additional teaching material to be found on Moodle (https://e-l.unifi.it/). Students with specific needs are encouraged to contact the teacher.
Modalità di verifica apprendimento
Actively attending students: special emphasis will be given to their capacity to understand and debate contentious issues, considering matters from all sides. Presentations and debates will be organized in class, which may suffice for the evaluation of students who will actively participate in sufficient number of them.
Other students: Written examination, with open questions, on both theoretical issues and practical problems. Variations are possible (and in this case students will be timely informed), but the standard practice is as follows: 14 questions to be answered in 90 minutes; each correct answer grants 2.5 grades (max=35 grades overall). No books or external text can be consulted (except those given at the moment of the examination); (own) calculators may be used. Additional oral examination possible in special cases.
Programma del corso
Module 1
1.a) Basic demographic concepts
1.b) A concise history of world demography: phases of historical evolution, by region, with a special focus on resources and migration.
1.c.) The risks of the current world demographic situation (by region, and in a historical perspective): from overcrowding (and resource depletion) to depopulation and ageing.
Module 2
2.a) The potential for migration to (partly) re-balance and ease world demographic problems.
2.b) The contentious side of migration: amounts (flows and structures), age structure, receiving vs. sending countries, differential aspects.
2.c) The perception and representation of migration: under what conditions conflicts may arise and how these can be eased (or exacerbated). The fears of the receiving countries. The issue of the “second generations” of migrants.