Life Cycles, Kinship and Growth in Human Populations

Instructor:		Teaching Assistant:
Prof. James R. Carey		Kelly Heung
265 Briggs Hall		1328 Hart Hall
752-6217 (jrcarey@ucdavis.edu)		752-0426 (kaheung@ucdavis.edu)
Office Hours: Monday 11-12am		TA Office Hours: TBA

Wk	#	Day	Date	Theme	Topic(s)
1	1	Thur	Jan. 7	Life course	Life course analysis
2	2	Tue	Jan. 12		Bioethics—issues of reproduction
	3	Thur	Jan. 14		Bioethics—issues of death
3	4	Tue	Jan. 19	Cohort	Life tables
	5	Thu	Jan. 21		Mortality and biogerontology
4	6	Tue	Jan. 26		Lifespan concepts
	7	Thu	Jan. 28		Biodemography: animal models
5	8	Tue	Feb. 2		Biogerontology: elderly in nature
	9	Thu	Feb. 4		Reproductivity and contraception
6	10	Tue	Feb 9		Midterm
	11	Thu	Feb. 11	Kinship	Marriage; divorce
7	12	Tue	Feb. 16		Family life cycle
	13	Thu	Feb. 18		Kinship; race
8	14	Tue	Feb. 23		Human genome project
	15	Thu	Feb. 25		Cloning; molecular engineering
9	16	Tue	Mar. 2	Population	Population concepts
	17	Thu	Feb. 4		Demographic analysis
10	18	Tue	Feb. 9		Population projection
	19	Thu	Feb. 11		Overpopulation
11	20	Tue	Mar. 16		Aging world

^a Lecture: 209 Wellman Hall; TTh 3:10-4:30p

Grading:

Your grade will be based on your performance in three areas: (1) tests--midterm and final exams. These will be objective questions--T/F and multiple choice; (2) problem sets--a total of 3 problem sets described below. These will help you to acquire an active understanding of the material; (3) discussion—submit 1-2 questions from assigned readings each week to TA for class discussion; and (4) term paper--a 2,500 word term paper also described below. Weightings will be as follows: midterm = 25%, discussion = 10%, problem sets = 20%, term paper = 20%, final exam = 25%. Grades will be assigned on a curve.

Problem Sets:

You will be required to complete 3 sets of homework. Each set will vary in scope and content though most can be completed in 1-2 hours. The purpose of these problem sets is to develop technical, analytical and writing skills.

Term Paper:

1. Purpose. The purpose of the term paper is three-fold: i)to expand your knowledge about a specific topic of interest in demography and population studies; ii)to learn to use the library for research; and iii)to improve your writing and editing skills.
2. Subject. The subject for your term paper can be any area covered in the course though it must have a demographic theme. The specific topic and approach must be approved by your TA.
3. Procedures. Select a subject and write a paper in which you: i)find and review the available literature dealing with the specific subject you chose to write about; and ii)write a paper in which you describe the significance of the subject, apply appropriate techniques and concepts learned in the course and discuss the broader implications and limitations of your particular perspective or approach.
4. Specific Requirements. The length should be at least 2,500 words; the due date is March 16, 1999. The suggested format and organization is: i)Cover Page with your name, year, major, this course; ii)Main Text with headings and subheadings; iii)Structuring should include an introduction with significance and purpose, methods for gathering information and results and discussion sections; iv)References in style and format of the journal Demography; and v)Appendices such as tables or supplementary material.
5. Grading. Your term paper grade will be based on: i)your organization and coverage of the topic. The limitation on length means that you will need to do a thoughtful job of selecting and organizing the material for your paper; ii)your apparent understanding of the material about which you write; iii)clarity and precision of your statements; iv)grammar and style; and v)technical aspects such as spelling and punctuation (Note: use the spell check options on your word processor).
   Example term paper topics. "Seasonality of childbearing"; " Lifespan limits"; Paleodemography of Neanderthals"; "Designer children"; "Euthenasia"; "Overpopulation", "The Aging World", "Evolution of menopause"; Genealogy of {your surname}"; Bioethical Implications of DNA diagnostics"

Lecture Notes:

Lecture notes will be available on the web and at a copy shop to be announced.

• Lecture Notes 1
• Lecture Notes 2
• Lecture Notes 3
• Lecture Notes 4
• Lecture Notes 5
• Lecture Notes 6
• Lecture Notes 7