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SOC451 Population & Society
Office K215;
ph. 401.232.6186; fax 401.232.6435; e-mail gcarter@.bryant.edu; office
hours Wed. 3:00-- PRELIMINARY REMARKS The study of population deals with events--births, deaths, migrations--that are of momentous importance in the lives of individuals, though it concerns itself with these events chiefly in the aggregate. Population study also deals with "macro" quantities--the size, increase or decrease, composition, and distribution of human populations--that are major considerations in the social and economic policies of states as well as in international relations. There is, in fact, scarcely a problem or issue, practical or theoretical, that lacks a demographic dimension. Since this dimension is often overlooked by commentators and interpreters who are ignorant of demographic phenomena, the introduction of a demographic perspective often provides new insights into social and historical events. CLASS TIME Class time will be divided between lectures, reviewing homework (computer work), and directed discussions. Attendance is mandatory! STUDY PARTNERS Very early in the semester you
should find a "study partner." Many of your homework assignments
will be turned in as two-person projects (you and your study partner).
On rare occasions, I allow 3 individuals to form a study-partner team,
but never more than 3. Your study partner will serve as a valuable
resource in preparing for tests and for better understanding the
lectures and workbook assignments. GRADES are based on the following: 1. A mid-term examination. This exam is take home and involves computer-assisted analyses of cross-national population and economic data and/or of items taken from the General Social Survey. 2. An original research paper, based on computer analyses of primary data taken from a General Social Survey or cross-national sources. These analyses will be done with an interactive, very-easy-to-use program called Student CHIP. Prior experience with computers is helpful, but not necessary (everything you will need to do is taught to you, in class, as part of this course). Prior experience with statistical analysis is also helpful, but again is not necessary; all techniques needed to do your paper will be covered in class. The details of doing your take home exams and research paper will be given in-depth coverage in class. 3. An in-class final test. The last regular class day I will give a cumulative objective test, based primarily on the lecture notes (consistent attendance and good note-taking are premiums in this course!), but with some consideration of your readings in the Weeks, as well your workbook. 4.
Homework. You will be assigned several computer exercises
from Data Happy. The exercises
complement our readings and class discussions, allowing you to test the
sociological concepts being introduced; they form the foundation for
your ability to do the take-home exams and final paper. As these
exercises are intended to help you prepare for the take-home exam and
final paper, their real importance will be reflected then.
However, to keep everyone honest, I will grade one or more of the
homework assignments at random. Graded homework assignments are
temporarily returned and discussed in detail in class; nongraded assignments are typically not
returned, but their contents are incorporated into the lectures and
class discussions. Ideally, the
homework represents the last line in the Confucian homily: I hear and I forget I see and I remember I do and I understand I
keep all exams and graded homework assignments on file for 60 days
after the end of the semester, after which they are discarded. 5.
Class participation and attendance. Part of "class participation"
is doing the homework, showing up with it in class on time, and being
able to discuss it. As part of your
participation in this class, you are responsible for reading your Weights for each of the above are as follows: Mid-term Examination: 25% of your final grade. Research Paper: 35% Final Test: 15% Homework: 25% I only look to class participation and attendance if your total number of points at the end of the semester puts you on the borderline between two grades (say a "B" versus a "B+"). Please let me know if you have a physical condition or learning disability that may impact your academic activities in this class. Depending
on the topic you select for your major paper, each of you will have an
individualized reading list. However, everyone in the class is expected
to read the Weeks text (cover-to-cover), as well as
selections from Data Happy,
in the
following order of chapter blocks. Begin block I at the
beginning of the semester; when I say we will start mortality
(or whatever topic) the next class session, I expect you to begin--and
finish in a timely manner--the appropriate block of assigned readings.
Of the greatest importance is to have your computer workbook
assignments ready to turn in on the day I say they are due. Do not
despair if early in the semester you struggle with the Advanced
exercises--eventually you will not only be able to do them but to
understand their importance in helping you to become a critical
thinker. Please do not confuse the "Exercise #"
versus the Chapter # in Data Happy
(e.g., Exercise #9, AIDS, is in Chapter 4; the assignments for Data Happy below are given by Exercise #!). Reading Block Population (Weeks Text) Data Happy Topics
(Chapter
#)
(Exercise #)
I
1,
2, 3, 4
Both Primers
Intro.
concepts / Overview
of
Demogaphic Theory /
II
5
9 (AIDS)
Mortality & Health
12 (Physical Health)
Take-Home Midterm Handed Out
IV 7 1 (Suicide) Migration
V 8 Age/Sex Structures
VI
10
15
(Divorce)
Population Characteristics
Final Test
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