POPULATION PROBLEMS
G&ES 362 Spring 2004
Prof. Erick Howenstine S-344A (773) 442-5647
E-Howenstine@neiu.edu


Meeting times Mondays and Wednescdays
except when meeting elsewhere as announced in advance

RESOURCES:
1. Required Text: Peters, P. & Larkin, R..  Population Geography: Problems, Concepts, and Prospects (7th) Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt
ISBN:  0787290491
(Find a good price at bestbookbuys.com or < a href="http://www.campusi.com/">campusbooks.com
2. I will also email you articles, which will be required reading.
3. Occassionally, I will refer you to readings at this NEIU reserve library site: RESERVE MATERIALS
You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view/print the reserve articles: 
4. Also see the categorized, annotated internet links for this class
Goals and Outcomes: Students in this course will study human population growth, decline, distribution, movement, and impacts of these on world regions.  Students will also study environmental constraints to population growth, and the impact of growth on the natural environment.  The text will be supplemented by current readings both in the form of handouts and web sites which are listed at the end of this syllabus.  Grading will be as follows: Essay Quizzes
Two unannounced essay quizzes will be given during the term -- either in-class or take-home, closed- or open-booked.  These quizzes will be based on the text chapters and required readings, and will be graded on the quality and organization of the response.

Paper
A 5 page typewritten paper (plus  references) on a topic directly related to a population issue (e.g., growth, decline, distribution, structure) will be developed through the  term.

Projects
Several short projects will be assigned during the term -- either in-class or take-home, closed- or open-booked.  These projects will use concepts developed during the class. Probably one will involve creating, in groups, a population projection.

Exams
Two exams will cover halves of the course, respectively.  The format will be combinations of matching, T/F, short answer, and graph work.

Other
Other assignments, quizzes, or exercises may be introduced, at 5% each.  If so, all assignments will be scaled down proportionately.

Participation
Participation involves excellent attendance, attention, and contributions to discussions.

SCHEDULE -- Students will be assigned and expected to read at least one chapter of the textbook thoroughly and  supplementary materials in advance of each class.  The instructor may distribute selected articles, and relevant  web sites are organized by category at the bottom of  this syllabus.  Each section in the schedule below will take about a week to complete, unless otherwise noted.
To view/print the RESERVE READINGS below you must download and install ADOBE ACROBAT READER
Select here to get to the free download page: 
Section 1
Overview of Course
Intro and Chapters 1: Population Growth and Change Section 2
Chapter 2: Population Data
Assignment -- reading the population data sheet Section 3 Section 4
Chapter 3: Population Distribution & Composition Section 5
Chapter 4: Theories of Population Change Section 6
Chapter 5: Mortality
Video -- AIDS in Africa MIDTERM EXAMINATION

Section 7
Chapter 6 Fertility Concepts and Measurements

Section 8
Chapter 7: Family Planning Programs :Section 9
Chapter 8: Migration Section 10
Population Policies -- influencing growth and distribution
Video -- China's Only Child Section 11
Chapter 9: Population and Environment Section 12
Chapter 10 Population and food supply Section 13
Projection software (discussion and demonstration, planning and work on projects)

FINAL EXAMINATION
    Either last day of class or scheduled exam time (10-11:50 May 5)

 Erick Howenstine
in the Dept of Geography & Environmental Studies
at Northeastern Illinois University