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Graduate Courses in Demography

Courses in Population Studies

Survey of past and current trends in the growth of the population of the world and of selected regions. Analysis of the components of growth and their determinants. The social and economic consequences of population change.

Source materials used in the study of population; standard procedures for the measurement of fertility, mortality, natural increase, migration, and nuptiality; and uses of model life tables and stable population analysis and other techniques of estimation when faced with inaccurate or incomplete data are studied. Prerequisite: ECO 571/SOC 532 or instructor's permission.

This course examines the process of formulating health policies in developing countries by looking at both theory and practical experience. Topics include: the health sector reform process and implementation, the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development plan of action and its implementation, and the experience of setting policies for specific health issues. Case studies from several developing countries highlighting.

An examination of some of the ways in which mathematics and statistics can be used to analyze population processes. The focus is on population models that have direct application in demography, including survival models, stable and nonstable populations, population projections, and models of marriage and birth. The course is offered in alternate years.

Statistical methods applied to the analysis of demographic data. The focus is on estimating the effects of concomitant variables on demographic processes such as nuptiality, fertility, or mortality using micro data. Statistical techniques to be studied include non-parametric regression, models for survival analysis, multiple-spell event history analysis, and models for counts of events. Particular attention is given to issues of over-dispersion and unobserved heterogeneity. The course is offered in alternate years.

Examines health care policy formulation focusing on developing countries. Theory and practical lessons on how policy is, or isn't, translated into programs. Students will analyze global epidemiological threats to the infrastructure and financial stability of health care systems. Examines: 1) how alternative health care finance and reform strategies facilitate or create barriers to achieving policy objectives; and 2) explores the role of governments, WHO, NGOs, and donor agencies in setting the agenda for health policy.

This course exposes students to the logic of empirical investigation in sociology and to basic methods of measurement, hypothesis testing, and causal analysis. Particular attention is given to hypothesis formulation and to techniques of comparative research.

Topics of special interest are offered as full or half-term courses. Topics vary from year to year.

Covers application of statistical methods in social science research. Emphasis is on hands-on data analysis and discussions of key techniques. Issues may include:formulation of the research problem; choice of appropriate model, data extraction; merging/combining datasets; constructing variables/ summary indicators; strategies for handling missing data; interpreting odds ratios, coefficients, relative risks; prediction/simulation as tools for interpreting results; understanding interaction terms, clustered data, robust estimation of standard errors, presenting results; effective use of tables/graphs; selectivity and endogeneity; causal inferences.

This is a course about global and national well-being, with a particular focus on economic wellbeing, income, and on health. It explores what has happened to poverty, inequality, and health, both in the US, and internationally. We will discuss the conceptual foundations of national and global measures of inequality, poverty, and health, the construction of the measures, and the extent to which they can be trusted. We will also explore the links between health and income, why poor people are less healthy and live less long than rich people in the US and abroad, between rich and poor countries, over history, and as incomes and health have improved in parallel. The course also examines the idea that income inequality is itself a health hazard. Prerequisites: WWS507 and WWS511.

Workshop focuses on implementing national disease control plans within the developing world. The goal is to determine what steps are needed to scale up a disease-control program (involving the federal government, the local government, health care providers, infrastructure, drug resistance, the clash between high-tech solutions vs. local ecological tools, and sustainability, etc.) in a developing country.

This course examines poverty in the United States in the last half of the twentieth century. Topics include 1) how poverty is measured and problems with the official measure, 2) trends and differentials in poverty, 3) causes and consequences of poverty, including sociological, economic, and political perspectives, and 4) anti-poverty policies, including cross-national differences in welfare states.

This course provides an overview of the changing demography of U.S. minority groups and critically reviews theoretical perspectives of race and ethnic stratification. Attention is paid to immigration and its impact on U.S. population composition. Public policies that putatively address (or redress) race and ethnic inequality, including equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, affirmative action, and immigrant and refugee policies are evaluated.

Examines selected topics in reproductive health, with primary emphasis on contemporary domestic issues in the United States--such as unintended pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infection--but within the context of the international agenda on reproductive rights established in the 1994 Cairo international Conference on Population and development.

Families vary greatly in structure, which can have a profound impact on childrens wellbeing and future prospects. This course will investigate trends in family formation and marriage in particular, and examine reforms proposed by policy makers that would impact marriage. This course is being offered in conjunction with The Future of Children (FOC) journal. As part of the course, students will actively participate in an FOC conference on family formation and child wellbeing at the end of the 6-week class.

This course examines the determinants and consequences of migration and immigration in the United States. Theoretical and methodological issues are discussed, and immigration and migration are analyzed with reference to national and local policy. Specific topics include demographic consequences in the short and long run, the impact on regional economies, differential effects of legal and illegal immigration, political implications, and cultural issues.

This course focuses on the interrelationships between the demographic structure and dynamics of human populations, their physical and mental health, and the ecological systems with which they interact. Case studies include: agricultural colonization of the Amazon basin of Brazil and the process of urbanization in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; tradeoffs between land use and health; migration, its environmental impact, and the tension between public health and medicine in promoting the health of migrant populations; health consequences of corporate globalization; macroeconomics and health; rice ecosystems and the tradeoffs between agricultural productivity and human health.

Examines the ethical issues arising in the context of scientific research. Evaluates the role and responsibilities of professional researchers in dealing with plagiarism, fraud, conflict over authorial credit, and ownership of data. In addition, it undertakes a broader inquiry into conceptions of professional integrity, and the responsibilities that scientists have to their research subjects, their students and apprentices, as well as to society at large.

This course on qualitative methods in social science focuses on asking questions, on participant-observer techniques, and on recording and interpreting primary field data. It also considers how qualitative methods may be used to complement more quantitative approaches. Recent literature on the theoretical and ethical aspects of these methods are examined.

Areas of focus include measurement of health status, illness occurrence, mortality and impact of associated risk factors; techniques for design, analysis and interpretation of epidemiologic research studies; sources of bias and confounding; and causal inference. Other topics include foundations of modern epidemiology, the epidemiologic transition, reemergence of infectious disease, social inequalities in health, and ethical issues. The course will examine the bridging of "individual-centered" epidemiology and "macro-epidemiology" to recognize social, economic and cultural context, assess impacts on populations, and provide important inputs for public health and health policy. Prerequisite: 507b/c or advanced statistics.

This half-course offered in the first half of the spring term focuses on the statistical analysis of time-to-event or survival data. We introduce the hazard and survival functions; censoring mechanisms, parametric and non-parametric estimation, and comparison of survival curves. We cover continuous and discrete-time regression models with emphasis on Cox's proportional hazards model and partial likelihood estimation. We discuss competing risk models, unobserved heterogeneity, and multivariate survival models including event history analysis. The course emphasizes basic concepts and techniques as well as applications in social science research using the statistical package Stata. Prerequisite: WWS509 or equivalent.

This half-course offered in the second half of the spring term provides an introduction to statistical methods for the analysis of multilevel data, such as data on children, families, and neighborhoods. We review fixed- and random-effects models for the analysis of clustered and longitudinal data before moving on to multilevel random-intercept and random-slopes models. We discuss model fitting and interpretation, including centering and estimation of cross-level interactions. We cover models for continuous as well as binary and count data, reviewing the different approaches to estimation in common use, including Bayesian inference. The course emphasizes practical applications using the multilevel package MLwiN. Prerequisite: WWS509 or equivalent.

This course examines the historical and contemporary literature on immigration and the relationship between these flows and the development of ethnic relations. The emphasis is on the United States, although comparative material from Canada, Europe, and Latin America is discussed. Classical and recent theories of immigrant adaptation, language acculturation, ethnic entrepreneurship, and ethnic conflict are presented and discussed. The bearing of recent research findings on public policy toward immigrant groups and domestic minorities is examined.

An introduction to the philosophy, practice and politics of public health in the U.S. The course considers the principles of epidemiology and the social, political and institutional forces that shape public health policy, as well as the determinants of health, government's role in minimizing risks and maximizing well-being, and the major organizational structures responsible for monitoring, protecting and promoting the public health. Topics include environmental and occupational health; emerging infections; food safety; violence; tobacco control; population aging; and public health genetics.

Examines the origins, types, and characteristics of cities in less developed countries and the ways in which patterns of urbanization interact with policies to promote economic growth and social equity. Readings and class discussions address three areas: a) a history of urbanization in the Third World; b) an analysis of contemporary urban systems, demographic patterns, and the social structure of large Third World cities; c) a review of the literature on urban dwellers with emphasis on the poor and their political and social outlooks.

This course will provide an overview of the field of gender and development, incorporating a global perspective, but informed by concrete experiences from around the world. It will begin with a historical overview of the evolution of the field over the past three decades, continue with key theoretical debates on the nature of equality, the family, poverty and the processes of economic transformation. In the second half of the course we will explore specific sectors-agriculture and the environment, microfinance, reproductive health and governance. Finally, we will conclude with discussions on the impact of women's movements on public policy. The course aims at familiarizing all seminar participants with a basic knowledge of the field and its contributions to research, policy formulation and practical action.

The age structure of many countries in the world has shifted toward much higher proportions of people at older ages. This course will treat the biological basis of aging and the demographic, economic and social consequences of a large elderly population. Implications for health care, insurance, and the economic and social structure of diverse societies will be discussed. An international comparative approach will be used throughout.

Individual research projects involving demographic analysis related to issues in population policy or, occasionally, participation in the research conducted at the Office of Population Research. Prerequisite: Survey of Population Problems (ECO 571/SOC 531).

This course explores the professed and unspoken goals nations pursue with their health systems and the alternative economic and administrative structures different nations use to pursue those goals. The emphasis in the course will be on the industrialized world, although some time can be allocated later in the course to approaches used in the developing countries, if students in the course desire it.

Courses in Statistics

Concepts and methods of time series analysis and their applications to economics. Time series models to be studied include simultaneous stochastic equations, VAR, ARIMA, and state-space models. Methods to analyze trends, second-moment properties via the auto covariance function and the spectral density function, methods of estimation and hypothesis testing and of model selection will be presented. Kalman filter and applications as well as unit roots, cointegration, ARCH, and structural breaks models are also studied.

The construction, estimation, and testing of econometric models as a process, from theory to model formulation to estimation and testing and back to theory. Bridging the gap between theory and applied work. A series of topics in macroeconomics time series and microeconomic cross-sectional analysis: consumption at the household and aggregate level, commodity prices, nonparametric and parametrics estimation.

A first-year course in the first-year econometrics sequence: it is divided into two parts. The first gives students the necessary background in probability theory and statistics. Topics include definitions and axioms of probability, moments, some univariate distributions, the multivariate normal distribution, sampling distributions, introduction to asymptotic theory, estimation and testing. The second part introduces the linear regression model and develops associated tools. Properties of the ordinary least squares estimator will be studied in detail and a number of tests developed.

This course begins with extensions of the linear model in several directions: (1) predetermined but not exogenous regressors; (2) heteroskedasticity and serial correction; (3) classical GLS; (4) instrumental variables and generalized method of moments estimators. Applications include simultaneous equation models, VARs and panel data. Estimation and inference in nonlinear models are discussed. Applications include nonlinear least squares, discrete dependent variables (probit, logit, etc.), problems of censoring, truncation and sample selection, and models for duration data.

Economics 521 is half of the second-year sequence in econometrics methodology (Economics 513 is the other). The course covers nonlinear statistical models for the analysis of cross-sectional and panel data. It is intended both for students specializing in econometric theory and for students interested in applying statistical methods to statistical data. Approximately half of the course is devoted to development of large-sample theory for nonlinear estimation procedures, while the other half concentrates on application of the methods to econometric models for discrete and limited dependent variables.

Methods for analyzing data arising from observational studies such as social surveys. The course reviews multiple regression and analysis of variance and covariance models for quantitative data. The course introduces logistic regression and log-linear models for qualitative data, including contingency tables. Emphasis is on the use of statistical models to understand social processes, not the mathematical theory. The problem sets used involve using computer packages. The course assumes a previous course in statistics covering multiple regression.

Study of basic analysis techniques, stressing application to public policy. The course includes measurement, descriptive statistics, data collection, probability, exploratory data analysis, hypothesis testing, simple and multiple regression, correlation, and graphical procedures. Some training is offered in the use of computers. No previous training in statistics is required. Assumes a fluency in calculus.

Provides a thorough examination of statistical methods employed in public policy analysis, with a particular emphasis on regression methods which are frequently employed in research across the social sciences. Emphasizes intuitive understanding of the central concepts, and develops in students the ability to choose and employ the appropriate tool for a particular research problem, and understand the limitations of the techniques.

Focuses primarily on the analysis of survey data using generalized linear statistical models. The course starts with a review of linear models for continuous responses and then proceeds to consider logistic regression models for count data - including rates and contingency tables - and hazard models for duration data. Attention is paid to the logical and mathematical foundations of the techniques, but the main emphasis is on applications, including computer usage. Assumes prior exposure to statistics at the level 507c or higher and familiarity with matrix algebra and calculus.

The aim of the course is to improve students' abilities to understand and critically evaluate public opinion polls and surveys, particularly as they are used to influence public policy. The course begins with an overview of contrasting perspectives on the role of public opinion in politics. From here we look at the evolution of public opinion polling in the U.S. and other countries. The class will visit a major polling operation to get a firsthand look at how they actually work. We also examine procedures used for designing representative samples and conducting surveys by telephone, mail and the Internet. Students will have the option to (1) write a critical evaluation of a survey or set of surveys related to a particular issue, or (2) design and pretest a questionnaire on a topic that is of interest to them.

Other Courses of Interest

An examination of the economics of the labor market, especially the forces determining the supply of and demand for labor, the level of unemployment, labor mobility, the structure of relative wages, and the general level of wages.

The course surveys both the theoretical literature and the relevant empirical methods and results in selected current research topics in labor economics.

An examination of those areas in the economic analysis of development where there have been recent analytical or empirical advances. Emphasis is given to the formulation of theoretical models and econometric analysis and testing. Topics covered include models of household/farm behavior, savings behavior, equity and efficiency in pricing policy, project evaluation, measurement of poverty and inequality, and the analysis of commodity prices.

Systematic study of research methods in social science, with emphasis on empirical procedures.

Topics vary annually.

Topics vary annually.

Preparation of research papers based on field observation, laboratory experiments, survey procedures, and secondary analysis of existing data banks.

Courses 511 and 512 provide systematic exposition of principles and techniques of economic theory that are most useful in analyzing the economic aspects of public affairs. The courses are divided into separate sections according to a student's previous experience with economics and the student's level of mathematical sophistication. The basic level assumes a fluency in high-school algebra as a minimum, while the advanced level assumes a fluency in calculus and some previous exposure to economics.

Courses 511 and 512 provide systematic exposition of principles and techniques of economic theory that are most useful in analyzing the economic aspects of public affairs. The courses are divided into separate sections according to a student's previous experience with economics and the student's level of mathematical sophistication. The basic level assumes a fluency in high-school algebra as a minimum, while the advanced level assumes a fluency in calculus.

This course introduces students to evaluation. It explores ways: to develop and implement research-based program improvement strategies and program accountability systems; to judge the effects of policies and programs; and to assess the benefits and costs of policy or program changes. Students study a wide range of evaluation tools; read and discuss both domestic and international evaluation examples and apply this knowledge by designing several different types of evaluations on programs of their choosing.

A survey of recent trends in employment and poverty to shed light on the forces that underlie rising inequality. Special emphasis is devoted to demographic groups at high risk of poverty, including youth, the unskilled, immigrants and minorities. Also reviews a broad range of policies that bear on the future of work in the United States.

Introduces a set of quantitative tools that are widely used in urban and regional planning practice. Focuses on the development of an operational understanding of techniques for applied decision analysis and modeling of demographic change, regional economic systems, land use and facility location, and infrastructure systems.

An analysis of a wide variety of health care issues from an economic perspective. The course reviews basic economic theory and basic empirical strategies in health and then provides an overview of the fundamental institutional aspects of health care in the US. Some topics covered are: What are the determinants of health? Do drug addicts behave rationally? Do health insurance markets work as other markets? Should the government regulate health care provision and insurance markets? Why have health care costs risen and is it a problem? What have been the effects of managed care? Are physicians paid more than they deserve? Other topics guided by student interest.

This course provides in-depth analysis of selected topics in biotechnology that are currently the focus of intense debate in the public and policy arenas. Topics include genetic modification of plants and animals, genetic testing in human populations, stem cells, cloning, and advanced reproductive technologies. Each topic is examined from the perspective of potential commercial applications, risk/benefit analysis, impact on individuals and society, the viewpoints of supporters and detractors, and the political response in the U.S. and other countries.

This course is designed as a practical introduction to the use of computer mapping (Geographic Information systems) for policy analysis and decision-making. Students learn MapInfo through examples of map applications. Students are expected to complete exercises and a final project applying GIS to a policy issue.

This course evaluates currently popular education reforms from an economic perspective. Topics covered include: policies to increase educational attainment; compulsory schooling; class-size reduction initiatives; school finance reforms; school vouchers; and race-sensitive college admissions policies.

*indicates topics courses varying by year

Click here to view a list of undergraduate course available.

Page last updated on October 01, 2004.