Curriculum - Core and Elective Courses

Core Course

PA 5301

Population Methods and Issues in the U.S. and the Third World

This course surveys population trends and issues and teaches basic demographic methods. Topics include fertility, mortality, and the demographic transition; population growth and the environment; infant mortality; sexuality and the control of fertility; US trends in family structure; and aging. 3 cr.

OR

Soc 5090

World Population Issues

Population trends, population dynamics, and the various factors that influence the volume and distribution of populations across the globe. Exposes students to key theories and central methodologies in social demography. Examines key policy questions in the management and engineering of population dynamics across the globe. 3 cr.

Elective Courses

For Master’s students, at least three additional credits in courses drawn from one of the areas of specialization listed below.

For Doctoral students, at least nine additional credits in courses listed below, preferably drawn from a single area of specialization.

Areas of specialization:

• Historical Demography,
• Population Geography,
• Economic Demography,
• Public Health Population Studies,
• Family and Life Course Demography
  

Historical Demography

Hist 5797

Methods of Population History

Standard methods of population analysis with a special focus on methods widely used for historical population research. 3 cr.

Hist 5861

History of American Immigration

Readings in historical literature on immigration to the United States. Emphasis on recent works distinguished by new research methodologies and interpretations. 3 cr.

PubH 6845

Using Demographic Data in Policy Analysis

Practical instruction in posing researchable policy questions, locating existing demographic data, converting data into usable file format, understanding documentation, analyzing data, and communicating findings according to standards of the professional policy community. 3 cr.

Population Geography

DHA 8463

Housing:  Race and Class

Roles of difference (race, gender, class) in shaping distribution of housing, particularly in cities. Role of housing in patterns of social differentiation. 3 cr.

Geog 5371/PA 5201

American Cities I: Population and Housing

Emergence of North American cities; residential building cycles, density patterns; metropolitan housing stocks, supply of housing services; population and household types; neighborhood-level patterns of housing use; housing prices; intraurban migration; housing submarkets inside metro areas; emphasis on linking theory, method, case studies. 4 cr.

PA 5037

Regional Demographic Analysis

Data analysis techniques for practitioners in fields of planning, management, and policy analysis who work at community and regional levels. Population analysis and forecasting techniques relevant for small geographic areas. Techniques for regional and local demographic analysis, such as the cohort-component  method. 1.5 cr.

PubH 6845

Using Demographic Data in Policy Analysis

Practical instruction in posing researchable policy questions, locating existing demographic data, converting data into usable file format, understanding documentation, analyzing data, and communicating findings according to standards of the professional policy community. 3 cr.

Economic Demography

ApEc 5731

Economic Growth and International Development

Economics of research/development. Technical change, productivity growth. Impact of technology on institutions. Science/technology policy. 3 cr.

FSoS 8106

Family Research from Economic Perspectives

Seminar integrates conceptual and methodological perspectives of family social science with economic approaches to studying families. Family investments in human and social capital. Diversities in families; interface of public policies and family economic well-being. 3 cr.

PA 5401

Poverty, Inequality, and Public Policy

Nature/extent of poverty/inequality in the United States, causes/consequences, impact of government programs/policies. Extent/causes of poverty/inequality in other developed/developing countries. 3 cr.

PA 8312

Analysis of Discrimination

Introduces students of policy analysis and other applied social sciences to tools for measuring and detecting discrimination in market and nonmarket contexts. Application of modern tools of labor econometrics and race relations research to specific problems of market and nonmarket discrimination. 3 cr.

PA 5452

Immigration and Public Policy

Issues of international migration and the integration of immigrants and refugees are among the most important public policy questions of our age. The purpose of this course is to teach students to employ an analytical framework to the analysis of immigration policy proposals in Europe and the United States. 3 cr.

PubH 6845

Using Demographic Data in Policy Analysis

Practical instruction in posing researchable policy questions, locating existing demographic data, converting data into usable file format, understanding documentation, analyzing data, and communicating findings according to standards of the professional policy community. 3 cr.

Public Health Population Studies

PA 5451/PubH 6281

Immigrant Health Issues

Web-based course. Research skills to access demographic, health, and background information on immigrants in the United States; determine major character/health needs of immigrants; design “culturally competent” health programs; and advocate for changes to promote immigrant health. 3–4 cr.

PubH 6605

Reproductive and Perinatal Health

Epidemiology, programs, services, and policies. Social, cultural, psychological, physiologic, environmental, economic, and political factors that affect reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbearing.  3 cr.

PubH 6607

Adolescent Health: Issues, Programs, and Policies

Major public health issues of adolescents in the United States. Emphasizes prevention and health promotion strategies and effectiveness of programs/policies. 3 cr.

PubH 6628

Race, Class, and Family Formation

Impact of race/class on family formation, family dynamics, and family resiliency/maintenance. Explores whether traditional approaches in family intervention are effective among individuals who are not engaged in traditional social institutions. 1 cr.

PubH 6645

Families and Health: An Ecosystems Approach

Interrelationships between individual, family, and community health. Family theories/research, effect of sociocultural context, public policies, and community structures on health. Primary/secondary prevention strategies for promoting family health. 2 cr.

PubH 6845

Using Demographic Data in Policy Analysis

Practical instruction in posing researchable policy questions, locating existing demographic data, converting data into usable file format, understanding documentation, analyzing data, and communicating findings according to standards of the professional policy community. 3 cr.

PubH 8805

Sociological Theory in Health Services Research

Affect of social structure on health outcomes/behaviors. Current/historical events/issues from perspective of sociological/social psychological theories. Students apply theories to a topic they identify. 3 cr.

Family and Life Course Demography

FSoS 8106

Families from an Economic Perspective

Seminar integrates conceptual and methodological perspectives of family social science with economic approaches to studying families. Family investments in human and social capital. Diversities in families; interface of public policies and family economic well-being. 3 cr.

PubH 6605

Reproductive and Perinatal Health

Epidemiology, programs, services, and policies. Social, cultural, psychological, physiologic, environmental, economic, and political factors that affect reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbearing.  3 cr.

PubH 6607

Adolescent Health: Issues, Programs, and Policies

Major public health issues of adolescents in the United States. Emphasizes prevention and health promotion strategies and effectiveness of programs/policies. 3 cr.

PubH 6628

Race, Class, and Family Formation

Impact of race/class on family formation, family dynamics, and family resiliency/maintenance. Explores whether traditional approaches in family intervention are effective among individuals who are not engaged in traditional social institutions. 1 cr.

PubH 6645

Families and Health: An Ecosystems Approach

Interrelationships between individual, family, and community health. Family theories/research, effect of sociocultural context, public policies, and community structures on health. Primary/secondary prevention strategies for promoting family health. 2 cr.

PubH 6845

Using Demographic Data in Policy Analysis

Practical instruction in posing researchable policy questions, locating existing demographic data, converting data into usable file format, understanding documentation, analyzing data, and communicating findings according to standards of the professional policy community. 3 cr.

Soc 8551

Social Structure and the Life Course

Central concepts and premises of life course analysis as applied to intersocietal (comparative), intrasocietal (socioeconomic status, race, and gender), and historical variability; institutional patterning of life course (family, education, work, the polity); deviance and criminal careers; changes in the self; and methodological strategies. 3 cr.