Population Geography

A.Y. 2024/2025
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
M-GGR/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The learning objective of the course is to develop knowledge related to population growth in a geographical and historical perspective. The course is designed to explain the arguments and assumptions of dominant theories of population change in time and space. This course will, therefore, also equip students with the basic quantitative, qualitative, and graphic tools and methods of population geographers to analyze and evaluate current population changes at different scales and in relation to territorial and social systems.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have to know the main phases of the evolution of the world population in historical and geographical perspective and understand how these changes can evolve in the future at different scales. Students will be able to use population geography tools to analyze demographic data in order to answer the main questions on the main geographical and historical processes related to population changes in its dynamic and structural components in relation to territorial and social systems.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
If at the beginning of the second semester the health conditions did not yet allow to resume the didactic activities in presence in complete safety The lessons will take place remotely, asynchronously and Synchronously on Teams, for the discussion of contents between teacher and students, for sharing and critical reflection through guided activities. Students non attending lessons will use Examination Syllabus assigned.
Syllabus and assigned materials will not be changed.
All information will be communicated, following the indications provided by the University, on the Ariel site of the Teaching.
Course syllabus
Population, Globalization and Sustainability.
Prerequisites for admission
Students must have a good knowledge of the concepts and contents of Human Geography and Modern and Contemporary History.
Teaching methods
The course is taught using lectures, speeches of experts and whith some thematic insights through documentary videos and data analysis tools.
In the last part of the course, alternative and student response teaching tools will also be used, such also as focus groups, data mining and the use of online platforms for analyzing data on the population.
Teaching Resources
EXAMINATION SYLLABUS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING CLASSES
PART A (6/9 CFU):
All listed materials:
· Bergaglio, M., La popolazione. Metodi, strumenti e fonti per gli Studi Umanistici, Milano, Guerini e Associati, 2018.
· Bergaglio.M, Da 26 a 60. Geostoria della popolazione italiana dall'Unità al terzo millennio, Milano, Guerini, 2022, (with on line materials).
3) Personal notes taken during the lessons

PART B: ONLY FOR 9 CFU:
One Book between listed:
· Angeli A., Salvini S., Popolazione mondiale e sviluppo sostenibile, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018
· Diamond J., Armi, acciaio e malattie, Torino, Einaudi, 2014.
· Lester R. Brown, Outgrowing the Earth, Earthscan, 2012.

EXAMINATION SYLLABUS FOR STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING CLASSES
PART A (6/9 CFU):
All listed materials:
1) Bergaglio, M., La popolazione. Metodi, strumenti e fonti per gli Studi Umanistici, Milano, Guerini e Associati, 2018.
2) Bergaglio.M, Da 26 a 60. Geostoria della popolazione italiana dall'Unità al terzo millennio, Milano, Guerini, 2022, (with on line materials).
3) Billari, F., Domani è oggi, Milano, Egea 2023 e ISTAT, Annuario Statistico Italiano 2024, Capitolo "Popolazione e Famiglie", Roma, Istat, 2024 (disponibile on line sul sito www.istat.it)

PART B: ONLY FOR 9 CFU:
One Book between listed:
· Salvini, M.S., Globalizzazione: e la popolazione?, Firenze, Firenze University Press, 2021
· Diamond, J., Armi, acciaio e malattie, Torino, Einaudi, 2014. (in versione inglese: Diamond, J., Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, W. W. Norton & Company, 2017)
· Hayutin Adele M., New Landscapes of Population Change: A Demographic World Tour, Hoover Press, 2022.

EXAMINATION SYLLABUS to GET 6 ADDITIONAL CREDITS WITH A SECOND EXAM (ADVANCED)
All books listed:
Syllabus for 6 CFU:
1) Livi Bacci, M., Storia minima della popolazione del mondo, Bologna, Il mulino, 2016.
2) Harper, K. Contagi. Le malattie nel corso della storia umana, Torino, Einaudi, 2021.
Per 9 CFU additional book chosen between tra:
· Hanlon, G., Death control in the west (1500-1800), Sex ratios and Baptism in Italy, France and England, Abingdon, Routledge, 2023.
· Tomassini, C., Vignoli, D, Le famiglie in Italia. Forme, ostacoli, sfid
Assessment methods and Criteria
The evaluation takes place through a written exam depending that could comprise a mix of question types including multiple choice, true/false, short answers and brief essays. The method in which the examination will take place, if in presence or in electronic form, will be communicated on the Ariel website at the end of the course, based on the provisions established by UNIMI.
Assesment criteria: Students must demonstrate a correct and complete knowledge of the texts and materials indicated in the Syllabus. There must be a real consistency of the answers to the proposed questions and students must demonstrate the ability to summarize the anwers in relation to the time and space on the page available for the test.
The student must demonstrate the ability to use a correct disciplinary vocabulary, the cleverness to read and comprehend dynamics and structures of the population, an argumentative competence and precision in explication.
Quantitative data is essential to analyze the evolution of demographic phenomena in a historical and geographical perspective and the ability to remember and use them correctly are considered signatory criteria for the evaluation.
Furthermore, knowledge of basic Geography, a good general culture and also the ability to write in a correct Italian, both from a lexical and grammatical point of view, are considered fundamental criteria for the evaluation.
In order to be considered passed, the test must be positive in all its sections.
It is possible to take the exam with this syllabus only from the May 2023 Examination term to the February 2024 Examination terml. Any variation from the program must be agreed in advance with the teacher.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the course teacher.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the competent Office and with the teacher.
Unita' didattica A
M-GGR/01 - GEOGRAPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-GGR/01 - GEOGRAPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-GGR/01 - GEOGRAPHY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday 9.00 - 12.00. See personal web site for changes.
Because of sanitary emergence students can meet the teacher on line on Microsoft Teams in the same time scheduled. See on Ariel login code.