DEMOGRAPHY, SOCIETY AND POLICY IN EUROPE

The course aims at providing the 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 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

Knowledge and understanding: On successfully completing the course, students should be familiar with the most important demographic concepts and methods. Moreover, they should be familiar with the most important challenges concerning population change and the interlink between them and population governance. Students should be prepared to carry doctoral work in the area of demography and social policy. The assessment of the knowledge will take place during the course through quizzes administered on a weekly basis, in the middle of the course, through an oral presentation held by the students in teams of three students each, as well as at the end of the course, through an essay to be written in the style of journal paper on a topic to be agreed upon with the instructor. Applying knowledge and understanding: On successfully completing the course, students should be able to adopt a critical approach towards materials related to demographic change and population governance. Moreover, they should be able to in-depth understand demographic change in a cross-country comparative manner and to identify the most critical population issues and advance possible solutions based on empirical evidence. Finally, students should be able to address demography related subjects using an analytical and argumentative writing. The assessment of the knowledge will take place during the course through quizzes conducted on a weekly basis, in the middle of the course through an oral presentation made by students in teams of three students each, and at the end of the course through an essay to be written in the style of journal paper on a topic to be agreed upon with the instructor. Making judgements: On successfully completing the course, students should be able to use the appropriate methods learned during the course. They should be able to collect, select and interpret population data and other high-quality demographic materials (reports, research articles, datasheets) locating them in the the broad variety of available sources. Students should be able to evaluate demographic data and research materials independently, to develop own position based on empirical evidence, and to advance critical judgements on specific population and policy issues in Europe. Communications Skills: On successfully completing the course, students will be able to use the technical vocabulary of demography, addressing population related matters with terminological accuracy. They will be able to present complex demographic empirical material with clarity and rigor. Through the various activities that will take place during the course – lessons with discussion, debates, group work – students will be able to put these communication skills into practice in various demography related contexts, by adapting the terms used to the interlocutor in the specific case, thus gaining advanced rhetorical skills necessary for their professional career. Learning skills: On successfully completing the course, students will get the skills that allow them to access and discuss contemporary research in the multidisciplinary area around demography and be familiar with some of the key demographic contributions. They will be prepared to carry doctoral work in the area of demography and social policy and to conduct research by consulting specialist texts and journals. Students will develop a sound knowledge of the fundamental aspects of demography and will be capable to carry further study in demography and population policies independently and to undertake different postgraduate training activities including demography related subjects.

The course focuses on the changing demography of Europe, both in a long view (demographic transition processes) and short view (major recent changes). 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 changes impact on policy 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. De Haas, H., Castles S., Miller, M.J. (2020). The age of migration. International population movements in the modern world. 6th Edition. MacMillan International. - 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 intended learning outcomes.

Online lectures with the support of audio-visuals Lectures on case studies with the active participation of the students Inquiry based learning Problem-based learning Peer education Flipped classroom

Students’ assessment will take place in the following way: Oral presentation (25% of the final grade). Team work. Article review (25% of the final grade). Individual work. Quantitative report (25% of the final grade). Team work. Essay (25% of the final grade) and oral discussion. Individual work. 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). To assess the level of preparation of the student, the following evaluation criteria will be taken into account: knowledge and understanding of the notions of demography and ability to apply them to concrete cases (65%); ability to communicate acquired skills clearly and with appropriate language; and ability to critically consult demographic data-sources and demography-related scientific literature (35%). Attendance is mandatory, absences must be announced and motivated. Students who cannot attend the course for special reasons should contact the instructor right at the beginning of the course.

Active and participated attendance of the course; Quality and interest of the proposed issue for the thesis

Yes