Population change: fertility, mortality and migration
The course, at advanced level, aims to familiarise students with the three main population processes: fertility, mortality and migration
The focus is on population developments in Sweden and Europe from the end of the 1800s onwards, with some attention to the major population trends and issues in poorer countries.
The course is structured in three parts. Family dynamics focuses on fertility and related theories in particular, addressing norms, attitudes and the links between (female) employment, family policies and childbearing. The section on migration addresses the causes and consequences for individuals and society of international and internal migration. The section on mortality considers both biological and social aspects of morbidity and mortality.
Teaching Format
The course is provided at half-time basis over ten weeks. Teaching is conducted through lectures in form of interactive presentation with the students’ active participation. Participants meet once-twice a week during seven weeks. About three weeks are devoted to preparation for the independent take-home exam and the oral exam.
Assessment
The assessment is based on: i) a written take-home exam consisting of essay questions on fertility, migration and mortality (individual work; answers to be provided at a length of 2,000-3,000 words for each course topic, not including the list of references) and ii) an oral exam on any of the three sections of the course.
Examiner
Questions about master's studies
For questions about the master’s programmes in Demography and Sociology or our master’s courses, such as admissions, registrations, study breaks and transfer of credits, you are welcome to contact the master's assistant directors.
Anna Borén, Anna Carin Haag
Study counsellor
For guidance on study techniques, academic planning, grade transfers, certificates, and more.
If you run into problems with your studies, you are welcome to contact the counsellor, who works under a duty of confidentiality.
You can also book a meeting with the counsellor if you need long-term study and career planning.
