Demography
Course content
The course is an introductory course in demography focusing on developing basic demography methods related to the measurement of vital events. These methods are then applied to study empirically (and theoretically) how demographic and economic changes interact with each other over time.
The course will cover the following topics:
Fertility
-
Measures of fertility.
-
Economic/social determinants of fertility.
Mortality
-
Measures of mortality.
-
How to construct life tables.
-
Economic/social determinants of mortality.
Demographic Transitions
-
Macro and microeconomic causes and consequences.
Migration
-
Measures of migration.
-
Economic/social determinants and consequences of migration.
MSc programme in Economics – elective course
Bacheloruddannelsen i økonomi – valgfag på 3. år
The Danish BSc programme in Economics - elective at the 3rd year
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
- Open University students
After completing the course, the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
-
Account for fundamental demographic processes and changes experienced by countries during the last two centuries.
-
Account for different economic theories of the Demographic Transition.
-
Explain empirical models used to identify causes/consequences of changes in e.g. fertility, mortality, and migration.
-
Discuss basic findings in the economic-demography literature with a focus on key demographic variables like fertility, mortality, and migration.
Skills:
-
Constructs relevant measures of fertility, mortality, and migration using population census data and vital-statistics data.
-
Analyze how basic demographic variables 1) influence economic variables such as human capital and income, and 2) are being influenced by economic conditions and public infrastructures e.g. clean-water supply, sewerage infrastructure, or information provision.
-
Construct datasets which can be used to study basic demographic issues.
Competences:
- Master methodes to analyze the interaction between demographic and economic changes in the process of economic development.
-
Combine theory and empirical knowledge to formulate research designs with the purpose of identifying causes/consequences of demographic changes.
Lectures.
Related to the lectures, there will be in-class exercises,
discussions and student presentations e.g. of journal articles,
which should be prepared before class.
Selected chapters in “Demographic methods” by Andrew Hinde,
Arnold.
The literature will additionally be based on various journal
articles, focusing on the economic causes/consequences of
demographic changes in societies.
Knowledge corresponding to the 2nd year on the Bachelor in Economics, University of Copenhagen or similar.
Schedule:
2 hours lectures 1 to 2 times a week from week 6 to 16.
In week 16 there will be individual guidance of the
project.
for enrolled students: Rules etc at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK)
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice- read more through this website.
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
- Open University students - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Home assignment, 3 weeks
- Type of assessment details
- Individual project.
Please be aware that:
- The students has to choose a topic within demography and find suitable data for their project.
- The writing process of the project begins with handing in a project description, that must be approved. Thereafter the student have 3 weeks to write the project paper.
- The students are allowed to communicate about the project during the writing process, but they write and submit each own project.
- The project description and the project paper must be written in English. - Examination prerequisites
-
To qualify for the exam the student must no later than the given deadline during the course
- Present one journal article in class. The presentation has to be approved by the lecturer.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
Use of AI tools is permitted. You must explain how you have used the tools. When text is solely or mainly generated by an AI tool, the tool used must be quoted as a source.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
-
Exam information:
The submission date can be found in the exam schedule here
More information is available in Digital Exam from the middle of the semester.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK).
- Re-exam
-
Same as the ordinary exam.
To qualify for the exam the student must no later than the given deadline during the course present one journal article in class. The presentation has to be approved by the lecturer.
Reexam information:
The reexamination date/period can be found in the reexam schedule here
More information in Digital Exam in August.
More information about examination, rules, aids etc. at Master(UK), Master(DK) and Bachelor(DK).
Criteria for exam assessment
Students are assessed on the extent to which they master the learning outcome for the course.
In order to obtain the top grade “12”, the student must with no or only a few minor weaknesses be able to demonstrate an excellent performance displaying a high level of command of all aspects of the relevant material and can make use of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
In order to obtain the passing grade “02”, the student must in a satisfactory way be able to demonstrate a minimal acceptable level of the knowledge, skills and competencies listed in the learning outcomes.
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 42
- Preparation
- 134
- Project work
- 30
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- AØKA08197U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Spring
- Price
-
Information about admission and tuition fee: Master and Exchange Programme, credit students and guest students (Open University)
- Studyboard
- Department of Economics, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Casper Worm Hansen (18-676577746976327b737671326c65727769724469677372326f7932686f)
Teacher
See "Course Coordinators"
Er du BA- eller KA-studerende?
Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende