The course aims at providing students with the basic theoretical and methodological tools of demography as well as with an in-depth knowledge of population related public policies. The interlink between population change and policy matters is a fundamental part of the course. We will examine the demographic change and the key societal and policy challenges of contemporary Europe. A major emphasis is attributed to the interrelationship between demography and policy change of societies in a cross-national comparative setting and over time. Demography shapes much of our world. Population related issues are increasingly present in the academic, political, and public debate: population ageing, depopulation, pollution, environmental change, and migration flows. The course will address these thematic issues and will offer an outlook of the interconnections between population trends, on one side, and socioeconomic and political change, on the other side.

Knowledge of basic statistic concepts is advisable

The course focuses on the changing demography of Europe, both in a long view (demographic transition processes) and short view (short time series). The analysis of the demographic trends will be coupled with the examination of major policy and societal changes with the aim to grasp the driving forces behind both processes. The study is conducted at different levels, individual (micro), country (macro) level, and regional or local (meso) level. The aim is to look at the mutual relationships occurring between the different levels and at the interactions between them. The course looks at the main features of demographic dynamics in Europe, like ageing population, depopulation, changing family types and structure, migrations flows, and examine how these population processes impact on policy level and (re)shape societies. The main effects of population policies on demographic trends is another important part of the course. The course will give a major emphasis to cross-national comparisons while deserving an in-depth analysis to selected country cases. Major issues addressed in the course will include the relation between population and welfare systems and the interlink between demography, policy, governance, and societal change.

Lundquist, J.H., Anderton D.L., Yaukey B. (2015), Demography. The study of Human Population. Fourth Edition. Waveland Press. Livi Bacci, M. (2017). A concise history of world population. 6th Edition. Wiley Blackwell. - Statistical datasheets and official reports; journal articles and book chapters; and lectures slides will be distributed to the students throughout the course. These readings will be made available via LUISS Learn (course webpage) and will complement the textbooks in providing the basis for the achievement of the intended learning outcomes.

- One lectures with the support of audio-visuals; - Lectures by external experts; - Case studies with the direct involvement of students; - Inquiry based learning; - Problem based learning; - Peer education; - Flipped classroom.

The students’ assessment will be as follows: - book review (20%), individual - oral presentation, teamwork (20%) - written research paper, teamwork (30%) - oral exam, individual (30%) The grade is expressed in thirtieths and ranges from 17 to 31. A categorization of grades expressing the level of students’ performance is as follows: insufficient (17); sufficient (18-20); good (21-23); very good (24-26); excellent (27-29); outstanding (30-31). The overall level of preparation of the student, will be assessed by following the general repartition criterion: knowledge and understanding of the notions of demography and ability to apply them to concrete cases (65%); ability to communicate acquired skills clearly and appropriately; as well as ability to critically consult demographic data-sources and literature (35%). Attendance is mandatory, absences must be announced and motivated. Students who cannot attend the course for valid and justified reasons, should contact the instructor right at the beginning of the course. Students who cannot ensure a regular attendance of the lessons cannot be assessed as attending students. To pass the exam, students who have not attended regularly the course will have to write an essay on a topic decided by the professor and conduct an oral interview the day of the exam. The contents of the oral interview cover all the three textbooks as well as the additional topics addressed during the classes. The topic of the essay will be chosen by the professor among the those covered during the lessons. Students who collect more than three absences during the course are considered not attending students. Students who cannot ensure a regular attendance of the course are strongly encouraged to contact the professor within the first two weeks of the semester.

Active attendance of the course. Quality of the proposed research topic. Grade at the exam “Demography, Society and Policy in Europe”.