Learning objectives
Demographic processes are often the final outcome resulting from the combination of individual behaviors and biological constraints. The course aims at giving students the theoretical and methodological basis of the relationship between biology and demography. Along with the key concepts of population genetics, the course will also describe the demographic methodologies based on individual and aggregate quantitative analysis of demographic mechanisms.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
Introduction. 1. Fu8ndamentals of demography: concepts of rate and probability; period and cohort; life tables. 2. Biological basis of demographic behaviors. 3. The concept of isolate. 4. Fertility between biology and personal choices. Age at reproduction. Intermediate determinants of fertility: length of reproductive life, fecundability, intra-uterine mortality, sterility, breastfeeding. Sex ratio at birth. Birth control and abortion; relationship between climate and fertility. 5. Selection and survival. Infant mortality; differential mortality by gender; Old age and population aging. Epidemics 6. Nuptiality and the importance of marriage in biodemographic studies 7. Migrations: history and characteristics of human migrations. Migration and genetics. 8. Surnames as analytic tool in biodemography: isonymy, migration, similarity between populations, etc.
Full programme
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Bibliography
M. Livi Bacci, Introduzione alla demografia. Loescher, Turin.
F. Facchini, Evoluzione, uomo e ambiente. UTET, Turin.
Teaching methods
The course is based on lectures.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam
Other information
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