Universität Wien
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234003 SE Population dynamics and human capital in a global perspective (2024W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 23 - Soziologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

Attention!
The course will take place on 10.12.2024 at Oskar Morgensternplatz.

  • Tuesday 01.10. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 08.10. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 15.10. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 22.10. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Tuesday 05.11. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 12.11. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 03.12. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 10.12. 16:45 - 20:00 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 07.01. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 19, Kolingasse 14-16, OG02
  • Tuesday 14.01. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 15, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar will explore the interplay between human capital and current and future demographic trends, with a focus on selected global and regional population challenges. We will consider a) how population trends impact the shift towards highly-educated populations and b) how rising human capital is reshaping population dynamics. We will analyse economic, social, and climate change-related challenges affecting population dynamics, including ageing and declining populations. The seminar will also examine the pivotal role of education in shaping future populations, using the framework of Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSPs) and the projections developed by the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital. To understand specific demographic challenges in context, the seminar will put a spotlight on selected regions experiencing profound demographic shifts in the past decades, including East Asia, China, India, Iran, Eastern Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. We will discuss population dynamics in times of rapidly unfolding events and crises, including armed conflicts, economic crises, political upheavals, and pandemics.
This seminar has four main aims:
To provide a systematic view on the interrelations between human capital and past and future population trends and their consequences as well as policy responses
To deal with contemporary global and regional population challenges, with a special focus on selected regions and countries
To discuss population change in times of rapidly unfolding events and crises, including armed conflicts, economic crises, political upheavals, and pandemics
To foster critical thinking about population processes, challenges and policy solutions

Assessment and permitted materials

Students are expected to read course papers and discuss them in the class. Active engagement is encouraged.
Grades will be based on two tasks (assignment preparation and presentations):
Assignments: 70%
Presentation in the class: 30%
Students can choose between two assignment types:
1) Infographics on a global or regional population challenge, focusing on design, data quality, and clarity;
2) A brief structured essay on a selected population challenge with an analysis of its causes, relevance, consequences, and policy options with potential impacts.
For both options, the focus is on the application of demographic approaches and methods. The assignments can be prepared individually or in collaboration with another student. The assignment topics have to be approved by the course coordinators. AI tools use should be limited to routine tasks.
More details will be provided in the first seminar.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

For a successful completion of the course, all requirements should be fulfilled and assignments must be delivered in time. The final grade will be determined as follows:

100%-91%: Excellent (1)
90%-81%: Good (2)
80%-71%: Satisfactory (3)
70%-60%: Sufficient (4)
< 60%: Unsatisfactory (5)

Participation is obligatory. Students may miss at most two seminars.
Both obligatory tasks (assignment and presentation) have to be completed and accepted by the course coordinators.

Examination topics

There will be no separate exam.
Students can choose between two types of assignments, demonstrating knowledge of population data and processes, and critical thinking skills. Students can work alone or can collaborate in pairs. As part of their assessment, they will be required to give a presentation summarising their findings and policy relevance, when suitable.

Reading list

Relevant literature will be announced and provided during individual seminars.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 26.11.2024 14:06