Life Cycles, Kinship and Growth in Human Populations

Human Development 19

University of California, Davis
Winter Quarter, 1999

Instructor:

James R. Carey
Department of Entomology

Life Cycles, Kinship and Growth in Human Populations
Human Development 19
(Winter, 1999)

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#DayDateThemeTopic(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 4Tue Jan. 19 Cohort Life tables

5 Thu Jan. 21
Mortality and biogerontology
4 6Tue Jan. 26
Lifespan concepts

7Thu 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.


HDE 19 web pages maintained by Matt Jurach (mgjurach@ucdavis.edu)

UC Davis Entomology Department