SO 215 - Demography and Public Health

In this course, we will study the three processes of population change - fertility, mortality, and migration. The objective of this course is to learn about the causes and consequences of major global population trends. We will use course concepts to explore questions, such as: Why are birth rates in Italy and Japan so low? What were the consequences of China’s one-child policy? Are fears of global overpopulation grounded or exaggerated? Should we be concerned about Vermont’s aging population? What is the immigrant health paradox and does it still exist? We will draw on perspectives from sociology, with additional materials from global and public health, economics, psychology, anthropology, and gender studies.

Full course