Instructor: Richard Morrill
Autumn, 2001
http://faculty.washington.edu/morrill/geog445.html
Course Outline and Objectives:
This course is an introduction to the field of population geography. It is designed to advance a demographic-geographic perspective on our understanding of social change. Population growth, distribution, migration and diversity lie at the heart of many contemporary social issues – from the impact of population growth on the environment to political representation. The course aims to provide students with an understanding of the connections between population processes (both temporal and spatial) and societal dynamics. Specifically, the goal is to provide students with:
i) a practical understanding of population processes (fertility, mortality, and migration);
ii) a critical understanding of traditional and contemporary population theories and research;
iii) knowledge of the geographic variation in population structure, mobility and characteristics;
iv) knowledge of sources of data for demographic research; and
v) an appreciation for the demographic underpinnings of contemporary social issues.
Course Requirements and Grading:
Term Paper 40% Outline due October 18; Paper due December 6.
Midterm Exam 20% November 1
Final Exam 40% December 1xxxxx
General Expectations: Students are expected to keep up with the assigned readings, and to participate in class discussions.
Administrative Information:
Lecture Time / Location: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:20 , 405 Smith Hall
Required Text: John R. Weeks, (1999) Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Seventh Edition, Wadsworth Publishing Company: Belmont, CA
Additional Readings: Copies made available in Odegaard Library Reserve and at website
Office: 303B Smith Hall
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday; or by appointment, 10:00 to 11:00, or by appointment
Phone & Email: 543-5285, morrill@u.washington.edu
Academic Honesty: The University’s policy on academic honesty will be adhered to in this course. Academic dishonesty includes such indiscretions as cheating on exams, copying other students’ work, and failure to fully cite references, including Internet sources.
Geography 445: Population Distribution and Migration Autumn, 2001
|
Date |
General Topic |
Assigned
Reading |
|
Week 1 Tuesday Oct. 2 Thursday Oct 4
Week 2 Tuesday Oct 9 Thursday Oct 11
Week 3 Tuesday Oct 16 Thursday Oct 18
Week 4 Tuesday Oct 23 Thursday Oct 25
Week 5 Tuesday Oct 30 Thursday Nov 1
Week 6 Tuesday Nov 6 Thursday Nov 8
Week 7 Tuesday Nov 13 Thursday Nov 15
Week 8 Tuesday Nov 20
Week 9 Tuesday Nov 27 Thursday Nov 29
Week 10 Tuesday Dec 4 Thursday Dec 6
Week 11 Tuesday Dec 11 Thursday Dec 13
Final Exam 19-Dec Wednesday |
Introduction to Population Geography Theories of population Sources of Population Data Theories of settlement, world distribution of population; US distribution and redistribution Urbanization Mortality differentials Age/Sex Structure (term paper outline due) Aging of the population Fertility Concepts and Measures Fertility Trends and Explanations Household and lifestyle variation Race and ethnic variation, MIDTERM Race, continued, Introduction to migration Migration theory, models, data U.S. Inter-regional Migration & Diversity Immigration, international migration Residential mobility Population growth and development Population growth and environment Population policy Demographics, political redistricting Mini-presentations Presentations continued (Term Paper Due) 10:30-12:20 |
Chapter 1 Chapter 2,3 Frey reading Chapter 11 Chapter 4 Chapter 8, 9 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 10 Reading Chapter 7 Readings Clark Ch 3 Martin et al reading Clark Ch 2 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 |
Geography 445: Population
Distribution and Migration
Term Paper Assignment
Each student will select a topic and write a term paper of no more than 15 double-spaced typed pages. The pages limit does not include figures, tables or references. The topic must fall within the general theme of population research. This provides a great deal of scope, but you must employ demographic and geographic perspectives. Your paper can take a variety of forms, ranging from a literature review, to an empirical analysis, or a policy evaluation, among others. Whatever topic or form you decide to pursue, your paper must express your own ideas on the topic.
Choose a subject that interests you and that you can treat adequately within the specified page limit. Select a subject about which you can get sufficient information within the time frame shown in the syllabus. Have a clear purpose in view from the outset. Form an idea of what you plan to demonstrate or prove by investigating your subject. What conclusions do you expect to draw from it? (This question should be grounded in class and outside readings).
Take notes in your own words. Condense paragraphs or even pages into summary sentences. Judge the reliability of your sources.
Your outline should cover the following major points:
I. Purpose of the Paper.
II. Importance/significance of the subject
IV. Nature of the investigation (substantive ideas)
V. Conclusions (generalized statements based on your investigation)
Write in as clear and straightforward a manner as you can. Avoid long sentences. Avoid repetition. Make your discussion clear and concise. Your essay should proceed logically. Each new paragraph should represent a new idea. A well-written paper allows the reader to follow the basic logic of your argument by reading the first line of each paragraph.
A list of all references should be included at the end of the paper. Within the text, you should reference sources using Harvard style citations. Your textbook uses the Harvard citation style. You must reference any idea that is not your own. If you are quoting directly, you must also include the page number. An example citation is as follows:
“No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear and danger of
violent death; and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” (Hobbes, 1651, p. 373).
Your paper must present your thoughts and ideas as you reflect upon the materials you have read. You probably have not developed your ideas sufficiently if you find yourself continually referencing the same source, or referencing every idea contained within the paper. Your paper must add something to the discussion.
Undoubtedly, you will make a number of revisions to the initial draft of your paper. The final draft must be carefully edited with an eye to spelling, punctuation, grammar, and style.
The Geography Department provides a writing consultant to assist students with their research and writing assignments. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity in the early stages of your work.
Email: writegeo@u.washington.edu
Web:
http://depts.washington.edu/geog/news/writeplace.html
Remember: a great deal of data is available through the Center for Social Science Computation and Research (CSSCR), located in 145 Savery (basement). Speak with the archivist, Grace Gu (145-B Savery).