Module Code - Title:
GY4033
-
POPULATION DYNAMICS
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module aims to introduce students to key concepts in population studies. Through an analysis of the key demographic processes, fertility, mortality and migration, students will learn how to source data, calculate and interpret key demographic indicators, assess trends and disparity at different scales, and link these with the population dynamics of historical, cultural, health, economic, political and environmental issues. The module will also introduce students to the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Microsoft Excel for the study of population data.
Syllabus:
Population dynamics play a vital role in culture, health, economics, politics, and environmental issues. Grasping the basic concepts and tools of population geographies is essential to understanding this broad and varied subject area. The key demographic indicators of population change, fertility, mortality and migration, are introduced, as is the varied temporal and spatial nature of the causes and consequences of population disparities in history, the present, and into the future. The module examines these relationships through a variety of case studies and introduces key methods and tools (Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS) and Microsoft Excel) to analyse population dynamics in contemporary and historical contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Identify and explain the three key demographic indicators;
- Apply the key demographic indicators to related population concepts, patterns and processes;
- Illustrate the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, and Microsoft Excel, to evaluate, analyse and interpret a variety of population related data;
- Prepare, calculate and present population data in map and tabular formats;
- Illustrate a knowledge of the underlying narratives in population data.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Question the different actors and varied scales at play in population studies;
- Recognise the conflicting trends and disparity in populations, temporally and spatially;
- Value independent learning and reflection.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module is taught through a combination of lectures, labs, and self-directed learning to assist in the development of Graduate Attributes. The labs will be delivered in a hybrid format using a mix of on-campus computer rooms and MS Teams.
Prime Texts:
Newbold, K.B. (2007)
Six billion plus : world population in the twenty-first century.
, Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Institute of British Geographers. Population Geography Research Group. ()
International Journal of Population Geography.
, Chichester, West Sussex, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Weeks, J.R. (2020)
Population: an introduction to concepts and issues, 13th ed.
, Boston: Cengage Learning
Merchant, E.R., Deane, G.D., Gutmann, M.P, Sylvester, K.M., Merchant, E.R., Gutmann, M.P., Deane, G.D. and Sylvester, K.M. (2011)
Navigating Time and Space in Population Studies.
, Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands 2011.
Bailey, A. (2005)
Making Population Geography.
, London: Hodder Arnold; New York: Oxford University Press.
Other Relevant Texts:
Daniels, P., Bradshaw, M., Shaw, D and Sidaway, J. (2016)
An Introduction to Human Geography, 5th ed.
, New Jersey: Pearson.
Cloke, P., Crang, M. and Goodwin, M. (2014)
Introducing Human Geographies, 3rd ed.
, Routledge
Daniels, P., Bradshaw, M., Shaw, D and Sidaway, J. (2016)
An Introduction to Human Geography, 5th ed.
, New Jersey: Pearson
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BACHELOR OF ARTS
BACHELOR OF ARTS (PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS)
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN EUROPEAN STUDIES
BACHELOR OF ARTS INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED ACCESS
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
catherine.porter@ul.ie