The course aims to provide the basic theoretical and methodological knowledge of demography and the main geo-demographic trends as an interpretative tool for today's social challenges. Indeed, demography shapes much of our world, and this has never been as true as it is today. The issues affecting the population, and its relationship with the territories, are increasingly present, albeit indirectly, in the academic, political, and public debate: overpopulation, environmental pollution, food safety, availability and use of energy resources, urbanisation, migration flows, the attraction of qualified human capital, geopolitical strategies, ethnic and religious conflicts, geo-economic competition, international trade, direct foreign investments. The well-known saying attributed to Auguste Comte that “demography is destiny”, of course, must not be taken in a deterministic and absolute means. However, the demographic variable has contributed - together with others - to tracing the political, economic, and social evolution of peoples, human communities, States, and geographical areas. If this has been true in the past - when population studies had a predominantly, if not solely, statistical-accounting significance - in recent decades, analysing the population trend has become an essential moment for interpreting the configuration of the world. Our planet has witnessed a real geo-demographic revolution characterised by different evolutionary phases that have heavily influenced and will continue to influence the definition of territorial structures and human relations. The course will provide a broad outlook of these interconnections among demographic trends and political and socioeconomic phenomena. Sustainability and the Euro-Mediterranean area, especially Italy, will be treated with a particular emphasis.

- Knowledge and understanding Through course attendance and practical activities, the student will become familiar with the principles of demography and the interlink of demography with international relations, urbanization, geopolitical settings, economic development, and the environment. They will acquire in-depth knowledge of the demographic change in Italy and the Euro-Mediterranean area. The assessment of student’s learning will take place during the course through a midterm test that will take place after the first six weeks of the course, including questions on the most technical contents of the course (i.e., formal demography) and a written final exam in the form of an essay in the style of a journal paper on a specific demographic challenge. The topic of the essay will have to be agreed upon with the course’s instructor. - Applying knowledge and understanding The student will become familiar with the most critical demographic methods and techniques and the most significant challenges related to population change. They will be able to identify and critically address demographic problems and possible solutions. The assessment of the ability to ‘apply knowledge and understanding’ will take place during the course a midterm test, through a set of questions on concepts and methods of demography, and at the end of the course through a written final exam which requires the students to elaborate critically and autonomously on a specific demographic challenge. - Making judgments Students will acquire analytical skills that will allow them to access and discuss contemporary research around demography and social challenges. They will gain a critical spirit in investigating demographic phenomena and their interrelations with social and economic challenges. Using the appropriate methods learned during the course, students can select the most relevant demographic data, literature, and materials among the available sources. They will be able to evaluate the quality and reliability of demographic data and materials independently and to judge their application to population-related challenges critically. - Communication skills By the end of the course, students will be able to transmit with clarity, rigour, and methodological consistency the different demographic challenges in different socioeconomic and geopolitical scenarios. Students can practice communication skills in multiple contexts through the various activities that will take place during the course – lessons with discussion, debates, and group work. They will learn to adapt the terms used to the specific context, thus gaining advanced rhetorical skills needed for their professional career. - Learning skills By applying the methodologies learned during lectures and seminars, students can elaborate on different demographic issues and conduct research by consulting specialist texts and journals. They will develop a solid knowledge of the fundamental aspects of demography and the related social challenges. They will be able to carry on also independently further research in population studies and undertake different postgraduate training activities, including demographic subjects.

The course introduces the basic concepts and issues of population studies and addresses the drivers and implications of the evolution of the world population. The most relevant demographic techniques are covered, and demographic concepts and practical strategies for interpreting population statistics are discussed. The process of demographic transition is analysed in the single dynamic processes related to mortality, fertility, and migration, as well as concerning the structural changes of population, basically the age and the family and household transitions. The link between modernisation and secularisation processes and economic development is treated to single out and discuss the main implications of the demo-economic interactions in the different geographical areas of the world. Causes and consequences of fertility mortality, migration and urbanisation will be examined. The role of population dynamics in geopolitical, religious, and ethnic issues will be explored. Particular attention will be given to sustainable development and geo-demographic change significantly in the Euro-Mediterranean region. Policy related to migration flows, fertility, and health will be treated. The sustainability of population policies in Italy and other selected countries will be discussed.

A selection of chapters from the following books will be made available to students on the course Learn page as required readings: - Weeks, J. (2015). Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues. Cengage. - Goerres A. and Vanhuysse P. (2021). Global Political Demography. The Politics of Population Change. Palgrave Macmillan. Other suggested readings: - Dorling, D. and Gietel-Basten, S. (2018). Why Demography Matters. Polity Press, Cambridge. - Goldstone, J.A., Kauffmann, E.P., Duffy Toft, M. (eds.) (2011). Political Demography: How Populations Changes are Reshaping International Security and National Politics. Oxford University Press. - Hayutin A. M. (2022). New Landscapes for Population Change. A Demographic World Tour. Hoover Institution Press. - Paice E. (2021). Youthquake: Why African Demography Should Matter to the World. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC - Sciubba J.D. (2022). 8 Billion and Counting: How Sex, Death, and Migration Shape Our World. Norton. - Sciubba J.D. (2021) (ed.). A Research Agenda for Political Demography. Edward Elgar Publishing. Additional teaching materials: Statistical datasheets, official reports, journal articles, and lecture 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 acquiring the intended learning outcomes.

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

The student assessment will take place in three different ways: 1) Active class participation (20% on the final grade). Active participation is assessed through lesson attendance and class activities. 2) Multiple-choice test (30% of the final grade) including 60 questions, of which 30 are issued in the first half of the course (midterm) and 30 on the final exam. Tacking the midterm and final exams on the scheduled dates is strongly recommended. 3) Final essay (50% of the final grade) is a take-home paper to be written in the style of a journal paper on a topic to be agreed upon with the professor. Please refer to the course learn page for more details on the assessment rules. Attendance is mandatory, and absences must be announced and motivated by e-mail. Only the reasons officially accepted by the University will justify non-attendance (health problems, international programs). If you cannot attend the course, please get in touch with the professor by e-mail earlier enough (preferably at the beginning of the course).

- Active attendance at the course; - Quality and interest of the proposed research topic for the thesis.

The syllabus covers sustainability topics.