| CODE | HST2027 | ||||||
| TITLE | Introduction to Historical Demographic Theories | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | History | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Fertility, fecundity, marriage, mortality, morbidity and migration are fundamental elements in the study of historical demography. These basic demographic elements have been behind the principal demographic theories. Studying these principles, Thomas Malthus built his famous theories of population checks. Robert Malthus and Karl Marx's theories of population will also be analysed. Subsequently, demographers began to speak about the demographic transition and now they are at the stage of discussing the empty nest theory or formulating new theories, some of which are nothing more than a recycle of the Malthusian ideas. This is to the extent that they are being termed as the neo-Malthusian theories. The main theorists are Paul Ehrlich, Julian Simon Garrett Hardin and Barry Commoner. Other demographic theories that will be covered in this study-unit are those of Hajnal and his theory about the European marriage market as well as Jacques Dupaquier's theories of population trends. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to introduce the students to the general theories of population, including theories of fertility, fecundity, marriage, mortality, morbidity and migration. Theories of population growth and replacement, economical and social distribution as well as population classification of population will also be discussed. General theories of population help to explain the reason for population growth and replacement and the effect that these changes have on both economical and social distribution. In understanding these variables, one can arrive to make valid population classifications of our past societies while developing new expertise and skills in the field of demographic studies. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - know about the different demographic theories; - evaluate international population trends; - distinguish different theoretical approaches to the study of human population; - analyse fundamental demographic challenges; - interpret demographic graphs and tables; - know about the theories of social and economic impact caused by different population variables. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - undertake statistical techniques and discuss life tables; - undertake household and family level analysis; - carry out demographic research and analysis; - collect population data; - react to the demographic challenges and will be able to undertake analytical research; - Identify and explain population rates; - compile and create statements and other supporting material related to quantitative research; - undertake targeted population studies; - collect, organize, analyze and interpret basic demographic statistics. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - E.A. Wrigley and R.S. Scholfield. The Population of England, 1541-1871. A Reconstruction, C.U.P. 1989. - D.E.C. Eversley, P. Laslett and E.A. Wrigley, An Introduction to English Historical Demography, C.U.P. 1966. - Peter Laslett, Statistical Studies in Historical Social Structure (1979). - Dyson, Tim, Population and development: the demographic transition. Zed Books, London, 2010. - Chesnais, Jean-Claude, The Demographic Transition: Stages, Patterns, and Economic Implications, 1992. - A.E. Wrigley, Identifying people in the past, Arnold (London) 1973. - The Dictionary of Demography, Roland Pressat (Author), Christopher Wilson (Author), 1987. Supplementary Readings: - A.E. Wrigley, Population private choice and public policy, The Lindsey Press (London) 1972, The Essex Hall lecture. - A.E. Wrigley, An introduction to English historical demography from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, editor,Weidenfeld & Nicolson (London) 1966. - A.E. Wrigley, Population and history, Weidenfeld & Nicolson (London) 1969. - A.E. Wrigley, Nineteenth-century society essays in the use of quantitative methods for the study of social data, editor, Cambridge University Press 1972. - Peter Laslett, The World We Have Lost: England Before the Industrial Age (1965; New York, 1966; 2nd ed., 1971, 3rd ed., 1983; re-issued and updated 2000). - Peter Laslett, Household and Family in Past Time (ed., 1972). - Peter Laslett, Family Life and Illicit Love in Earlier Generations (1977). - Peter Laslett, Statistical Studies in Historical Social Structure (1979). - Peter Laslett, Bastardy and its Comparative History (1980). - Peter Laslett, The World We Have Lost: Further Explored (London, 1983; New York, 1984). - Peter Laslett, Family Forms in Historic Europe (1983). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Simon Mercieca |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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