Soc 232 Section 570 Population and Society King's University College Fall 2007

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1.0 CALENDAR DESCRIPTION

This course will examine major issues in the field of population studies including patterns of marriage and cohabitation, childbearing, immigration, health, mortality and population aging.  Particular attention will be paid to the implications of population patterns for other social institutions and for social policy.      3 lecture hours, full course.

Antirequisite(s): The former Sociology 232E.                                                                    

Prerequisite(s): Sociology 020 or 021E.

Prerequisites and Antirequisites:  Unless you have either the requisites for a course or written special permission from your Dean to enroll in it, you may be removed from the course and it will be deleted from your record. This decision may not be appealed. You will receive no adjustment to your fees in the event that you are dropped from a course for failing to have the necessary prerequisites.

2.0 COURSE INFORMATION

Professor:  Dr. Don Kerr

Office: S-123 (1st floor of Dante Lenardon Building).

Phone: 433-3491   ext. 4438
E-mail: dkerr@uwo.ca

Office Hours: Wednesday 10:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.

INTRODUCTION:  The world's population recently surpassed the 6.5 billion mark, and is projected to grow to at about 9 billion before stabilizing sometime during the 21st century.  On a daily basis, the word's total population increases by over 200,000 people (i.e. it takes about a day and a half to add a population that is equivalent to the city of London, Ontario).  Is this a cause for concern or celebration?  For some social scientists, the accommodation of this population growth may very well be one of the most fundamental challenges currently facing humanity.

This course is a general introduction to the basic theories and methodologies of population studies.  Population studies (also referred to as demography) involves the study of human populations in terms of their size, composition and distribution.  Past and present population growth are examined, as well as many of the factors responsible for population growth.  Interrelationships among demographic, social, economic and environmental factors are investigated, while simultaneously considering both Canadian and global population issues and problems. 

In explaining population growth, demographers study the three cornerstones of the discipline, i.e. the study of fertility (births), mortality (deaths) and migration.  For this reason, demographers study many questions that you might find personally relevant, such as: At what age am I most likely to have my first child?  What are my chances of divorce or widowhood?  How long am I likely to live?  What's the likelihood of never marrying or remaining childless? In other words, many of the most fundamental events in life are of major interest to the demographer.  This course is meant to provide you with an introduction to many of the insights as gained through the demographer's systematic study of such events.

For the first term, the primary emphasis in this course will be on: (i) the history of world population growth and of its future, (ii) the sources of data used in population studies, (iii) the historical and current theoretical debates in population studies, (iv) and the determinants of fertility and mortality.  Throughout the second term, our emphasis will be on (i) the study of migration (both international and internal), (ii) population aging, (iii) race and ethnicity, (iv) household and family change, (v) population growth, economic development and the environment, and (vi) applied demography.  Through class lectures, discussion and film, we will review many of the insights on contemporary social issues as gained when using the demographic perspective.   Throughout the term, we will routinely shift back and forth between Canadian issues and those of more global concern or relevance.

Time and location of lectures:  Wednesdays 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. in LH 105b.

Website: http://instruct.uwo.ca/sociology/232-570/   The course webpage is used to periodically post announcements and assignments relating to this course. I also have a series of useful links that are available to you in your work.  Also, your grades will be posted on this webpage as soon as they are available.

3.0 TEXTBOOKS (REQUIRED)

The following 3 textbooks are available in the book store.  Note that with the Weeks textbook the 9th and 10th editions are near identical (either edition is fine if you want to find a 9th edition in the 2nd hand bookstore). 

1.  Weeks, John R. 2007. Population. An Introduction to Concepts and Issues. San Diego:                                     Wadworth.            

2.  Beaujot, Roderic and Don Kerr. 2004.  Population Change in Canada.  Oxford University Press.

3.  Beaujot, Roderic and Don Kerr. 2007.  The Changing Face of Canada: Essential Readings in Population.  Toronto: Canadian Scholars Press.

4.0. COURSE requirements:

Participation/Attendance             10%

First Term: 
First test                                   10%    (October 24)
Second test                               10%    (November 28)
First term assignment:               15%    (due: December 5)

Second Term:
Third test                                   10%    (March 5)
Final exam                                30%    (final examination period)
Second term assignment            15%    (due: April 9)

 

Tests/Exams:
Throughout the year, this course involves three tests and a final exam in April.  In the first term, two tests are scheduled, one in mid October (2 hours) and one in late November (2 hours).  During the second term, one test is scheduled, one in early March (2 hours) and a final exam is scheduled for the final examination period in April (3 hours).  All tests/exams will involve a mix of multiple choice and short essay questions.  The final exam is cumulative, involving everything from the beginning of the year.

THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR MAKE-UP TESTS OR EXAMINATIONS.  FOR AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE FROM A TEST OR EXAM, A ZERO WILL BE RECORDED.   IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS TO ALL STUDENTS, AND IN PARTICULAR, TO THOSE THAT ADHERE TO THESE GUIDELINES, NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.

IF YOU CANNOT TAKE A TEST OR EXAM (DUE TO ILLNESS) ON THE DAY IT IS SCHEDULED, YOU MUST CONTACT ME BEFORE THE EXAM OR DUE DATE (IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE: 24 MESSAGE SERVICE IS PROVIDED) ->   433-3491 (ext. 4438).

Term Assignments:
Two term assignments are required in this course, with the first one due December 5th.  Each assignment must meet a minimum length of 5 pages (double spaced, 12pt font) not including your list of references.  Further details on these assignments will be provided in class, but they relate to the essay questions that are the end of each chapter in our text book “The Changing Face of Canada: Essential Readings in Population”.   Independent work is expected!    Feel free to drop by during office hours to discuss these assignments or anything else relating to this class if you like. 

In submitting assignments, no “faxed” copies will be accepted; Term papers must be typed (12 cpi), double-spaced, on 8 ½ X 11 paper, stapled (no paper clips or plastic covering or binders), and handed in personally in class.   If late, and I am not in my office, slip the paper under my office door (late penalties apply). 

In addition, an electronic copy of each assignment must be submitted to Turnitin.com, which allows for an automated check on plagiarism. See the appropriate instructions on my course web page on how to submit assignments.  Your work will not be graded until it is submitted to Turnitin.com.   Late assignments will be penalized to the date of submission to Turnitin.com.

Plagiarism: Students must write their assignments in their own words.  Whenever students take an idea, or a passage from another author, they must acknowledge their debt both by quotation marks and through the proper citation.    Plagiarism is a major academic offence (see Scholastic Offence Policy in the Western Academic Calendar). 

References:  Citations should be referred to in the text as (White, 2000) and citations should be listed in your bibliography at the end of your assignment (do not use footnotes for references). For the appropriate style to be used in referencing research in this sociology course, I highly recommend that you use the ASA style of citation, as specified on the following web page:
Citation style http://www.lib.uwo.ca/weldon/guides/styleguides/asastyle.html

In the citation of material from the internet, use the following link that specifies the ASA style: Internet style http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite7.html#1

IN THE INTEREST OF FAIRNESS FOR ALL STUDENTS, ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS ON THE DATES NOTED IN THE DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE.  LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT PENALTY WITH APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION.  ASSIGNMENTS RECEIVED AFTER THE DUE DATE WILL HAVE THEIR GRADE REDUCED BY A RATE OF 5% DAILY.  ANY EVIDENCE OF PLAGIARISM WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO ON YOUR PAPER.

5.0  Course Outline and Readings

Course schedule:   First Term

Course schedule:   Second Term

*the above indicated readings may be modified slightly throughout the term

6.0 STATEMENT ON ACADEMIC OFFENCES

King’s is committed to Academic Integrity.

Scholastic offences are taken seriously and students are directed to read the appropriate policy, specifically, the definition of what constitutes a Scholastic Offence, at the following Web site: http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/appeals/scholoff.pdf. 

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE SERIOUS SCHOLASTIC OFFENCES.  All required papers/assignments may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to the commercial plagiarism detection software under license to the University for the detection of plagiarism. All papers/assignments submitted for such checking will be included as source documents in the reference database for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of papers subsequently submitted to the system. Use of the service is subject to the licensing agreement, currently between The University of Western Ontario and Turnitin.com (http://www.turnitin.com).  Computer-marked multiple-choice tests and/or exams may be subject to submission for similarity review by software that will check for unusual coincidences in answer patterns that may indicate cheating.

7.0 PROCEDURES FOR APPEALING ACADEMIC EVALUATIONS*

The grounds for an appeal may be one or more of: medical or compassionate circumstances, extenuating circumstances beyond the appellant’s control, bias, inaccuracy, or unfairness. All grounds must be supported by a clear and detailed explanation of the reasons for the appeal together with all supporting documentation.  In the first instance, all appeals of a grade must be made to the course instructor as soon as possible after a mark is issued (informal consultation). In the event that the student is not satisfied with the decision of the course instructor, or if the instructor is unavailable to the student or fails to act, a written appeal must be made to the Department Chair. The deadlines for appeals to the Department Chair are January 31 for Fall Semester marks and June 30 for Winter Semester marks. If the response of the Department is considered unsatisfactory to the student, he/she may then appeal to the Dean of the Faculty in which the course or program was taken (with submission of written request). Only after receiving a final decision from the Dean may a student appeal to the Senate Review Board Academic. A Guide to Appeals is available from the Ombudsperson’s Office.

8.0 POLICY ON ATTENDANCE

Attendance is critical to your success.  Any student who, in the opinion of the instructor, is absent too frequently from class periods in any course will be reported to the Dean (after due warning has been given). On the recommendation of the Department concerned, and with the permission of the Dean, the student will be debarred from taking the regular examination in the course.

9.0 POLICY REGARDING MAKE-UP EXAMS AND EXTENSIONS OF DEADLINES

Important: If, on medical or compassionate grounds, you are unable to write a term test or final examination or complete course work by the due date, you should follow the instructions below.

You should understand that academic accommodation will not be granted automatically on request.  Instructors are under no obligation to offer a make-up exam.  You must demonstrate to your instructor that there are compelling medical or compassionate grounds that can be documented before academic accommodation will be considered.  Different regulations apply to term tests, final examinations, and late assignments. Please read the instructions below carefully. In all cases, action must be taken at the earliest possible opportunity, prior to the scheduled test, examination, or assignment.

MIDTERM EXAMS (TERM TESTS)

1. If you are unable to write a term test, please inform your instructor prior to the scheduled date and time of the test.  If the instructor is not available, leave a message on her voicemail. All messages are stamped with the date and time by the voicemail system.

2. Be prepared to provide supporting documentation. This documentation must be presented to the Academic Dean’s Office; please see below for information on acceptable forms or documentation. You will be required to provide acceptable supporting documentation for your absence from the original test before a makeup test will be granted (please see below for information on acceptable forms of documentation).

3. Discuss with the instructor if and when the test can be rescheduled.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

1. You require the permission of the Dean, the instructor, and the chair of the department in question to write a special final examination.

2. If you are unable to write a final examination, please contact the Academic Dean’s Office in the first instance to request permission to write a special final examination and to obtain the necessary form. You should also contact your instructor at this time. Be prepared to provide the Academic Dean’s Office with supporting documentation (see below for information on documentation).

3. You must ensure that the Special Examination form has been signed by the instructor and department chair and that the form is returned to the Academic Dean’s Office for approval. Note. Make sure you know the date, time, and location of the special examination.

10.0 OTHER ISSUES

SHORT ABSENCES

If you miss a class due to a minor illness or other problems, please check your course outline for information regarding attendance requirements and make sure you are not missing a test or assignment. Cover any readings and arrange to borrow notes from a classmate; professors can’t give personalized lectures for students who miss class. (If you miss class for a legitimate reason – e.g., a death in the family, illness – your professor would of course be pleased to answer questions during office hours after you have borrowed and reviewed notes from a classmate.)

EXTENDED ABSENCES

If you are absent more than approximately two weeks or if you get too far behind to catch up, you should consider reducing your workload by dropping one or more courses. The Academic Counselors can help you to consider the alternatives. At your request, they can also keep your instructors informed of your difficulties.

DOCUMENTATION

Personal illness: If you consulted Student Health Services regarding your illness or personal problem, you should complete a Records Release Form at the Academic Dean’s Office. This form will be forwarded to Student Health Services which in turn will provide confirmation of the problem to the Academic Counselor. At your request, the Academic Counselor will send confirmation to your instructor(s). If you were seen by an off-campus doctor, obtain a certificate from his/her office. In either case, the doctor should provide verification of the severity of the illness for the period in question. Notes stating “For Medical Reasons” are not considered sufficient and will not be considered appropriate documentation.

In case of serious illness of a family member: Obtain a medical certificate from the family member’s physician.

In case of a death: Obtain a copy of the newspaper notice, death certificate or documentation provided by the funeral director.

For other extenuating circumstances: If you are not sure what documentation to provide, please ask your instructor or an Academic Counselor.

Note. Forged notes and certificates will be dealt with as a scholastic offense (see above) and you will be subject to academic sanctions.

ACADEMIC CONCERNS

If you are in academic difficulty, check the minimum requirements for progression in your program. If in doubt, please see your academic counselor.

Support services: The web site for Registrarial Service at King’s University College is www.uwo.ca/kings, and Counseling and Student Development Services is www.uwo.ca/kings/student_services/counselling.html.

Faculty office hours: Faculty office hours can be found on the King’s website at:

http://www.uwo.ca/kings/general_information/timetable/current_timetable.pdf, and are also posted on the bulletin board across from the Faculty Secretaries’ Office on the 2nd floor of Dante Lenardon Hall.

Unless otherwise noted by your professor, the following policy is in effect on the use of electronic

devices: You are not allowed to have a cell phone, or any other electronic device, with you during tests or examinations.

11.0 OTHER INFORMATION

* Portions of these sections were taken from the following sources: Academic Calendar; Academic Handbook of Senate Regulations; UWO Department of Psychology Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations; UWO Department of History Document of Plagiarism.

Note: The policy of the University is that, when a course instructor wishes to change the evaluation procedure, as outlined in the syllabus at the beginning of the semester, prior approval must be obtained from the Dean of the faculty concerned.

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