PAM 2030 - Population and Public Policy

(SBA-HE) (CU-ITL)

Spring. 3 or 4 credits, variable. Letter grades only.

Course fee: approximately $1,800-$2,300 for optional trip.

D. Lichter.

Population and Public Policy exposes students to the logic and skills of demographic research and policy analysis. The course emphasizes the nature, collection, and interpretation of demographic data, the application of demographic techniques, the major components (i.e., fertility, mortality, and migration) of national and global population change, and contemporary population problems (e.g., population aging, teen childbearing, the rise in non-marital childbearing, immigrant adaptation). The course also emphasizes public policies that can influence demographic change. The format primarily involves lectures and class discussion. Students are expected to attend each class and be prepared to discuss assigned materials. There is an additional (optional) one-credit faculty led program that gives students an opportunity to explore population issues from an international perspective. Students travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to explore several of the issues covered in class. This 10-day trip requires permission from the instructor, and generally runs from late May through the first week of June. This one-credit class has an additional course fee; students are required to cover the costs of flight and food.

Outcome 1: To gain a broader understanding of the demographic forces that shape our daily lives.

Outcome 2: To apply basic tools of demographic analysis to population data.

Outcome 3: To develop skills for assessing and synthesizing evidence in social demography.