This is the syllabus used in conjunction with educational content offered by JHSPH. As a result, some of the information and/or materials listed here may not be relevant to or available for an OCW user's self-directed study.
Syllabus
Course Description
This course introduces the basic elements of population studies including: population size, composition, and distribution, and the causes and consequences of changes in these characteristics. An overview of demographic processes and measures used to assess them is presented. The course also focuses on reproductive health issues important in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. The impact of population policies and programs on population change will be analyzed for different countries. Current issues and problems in program design, implementation and evaluation will be outlined with the help of several case studies.
Course Objectives
After completion of this course the student will be able to:
- Describe the current status and trends in population size, composition and distribution, and analyze the causes and consequences of changes in these characteristics.
- Calculate and interpret basic measures used to assess demographic processes: fertility, mortality, migration and urbanization.
- Describe and analyze the theories and empirical evidence to explain the observed trends in fertility, mortality, migration, and urbanization in the developing and developed world .
- Describe trends in household/family structure, number, composition and types, and their demographic and social implications.
- Describe and interpret basic biological reproductive processes and major contraceptive technologies.
- Identify the important reproductive health issues in the Sub-Saharan region of Africa and their socioeconomic, health and demographic impact; and devise programmatic strategies to tackle them.
- Analyze population policy, its formulation and role in the future of sub-Saharan Africa's demographic and reproductive health trends.
- Outline the steps and issues involved in designing a reproductive health/family planning program.
- Analyze organizational, administrative, financial and technical issues involved in program design, implementation and evaluation.
Readings
Recommendations for each lecture are listed on the Readings page.
Key terms are defined in the Glossary.
