Universität Wien
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234011 SE Basic Methods of Demographic Analysis (2025W)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 23 - Soziologie
Continuous assessment of course work
Tu 07.10. 16:45-18:15 PC-Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß

Details

max. 30 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 14.10. 15:00 - 18:15 PC-Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß
  • Tuesday 21.10. 15:00 - 18:15 PC-Seminarraum 1 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß
  • Tuesday 28.10. 15:00 - 18:15 PC-Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß
  • Tuesday 04.11. 15:00 - 18:15 PC-Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß
  • Tuesday 11.11. 15:00 - 18:15 PC-Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß
  • Tuesday 18.11. 15:00 - 16:30 PC-Seminarraum 3 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Untergeschoß

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

CONTENT: This course is designed to help students define, interpret and apply basic demographic concepts and analysis methods. It focuses on techniques of measuring and comparing populations in terms of size and composition, as well as dynamics over time. We will look at key demographic rates and probabilities from a period and cohort perspective, as depictable in the Lexis Diagram. We will explore standardization, life tables, as well as basic concepts used in demographic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: On completion of the course, students are expected to be able to (i) identify essential components of population change, (ii) understand and compare different demographic measures and critically interpret them, (iii) construct and interpret lexis diagrams and single-decrement life tables, (iv) define and interpret key concepts used in demographic research, (iv) differentiate between the cohort and period approach in demographic analyses.

METHODS: Students will be introduced to basic concepts and techniques of demographic analysis with standard examples from the demographic literature. There will be take-home exercises and readings to revise and apply the learned demographic methods with data provided by the course instructor.

Assessment and permitted materials

Course evaluation is based on three criteria:

(1) submission of at least one take-home assignment (25% )
(2) successful participation in the written, 90-minute exam to take place during the final session of the course (65 %)
(3) Active class participation (10%): students are expected to participate actively and to miss at most one session.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

For a successful completion of the course, all performance components must be delivered in time and passed individually (at least 50% per performance component). The final grade will be determined as follows

[90%-100%]: Excellent (1)
[75%-89%]: Good (2)
[60%-75%): Satisfactory (3)
[50%-60%): Sufficient (4)
<50%: Unsatisfactory (5)

Attendance is compulsory; ONE missed sessions will be excused if the instructor is informed with convincing reason/s beforehand (at least 2h before class starts).

Examination topics

- Content of classes and the take-home assignments
- Assigned reading materials

Reading list

Preston, S.H., Heuveline, P., and Guillot, M. (2001).Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.Rowland, D. T. (2003). Demographic Methods and Concepts. New York: Oxford University Press.Wachter, KW (2014).Essential demographic methods. Cambridge MA: Harvard.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Mo 14.07.2025 14:06