BACHELOR OF EDUCATION IN SOCIAL STUDIES

SPECIALIZATION : Social Studies (Secondary)

COURSE NAME : Population & Settlement

COURSE CODE : SS203SEB

YEAR: TWO

SEMESTER: TWO

NUMBER OF CREDITS : 3

NUMBER OF HOURS : 45 hours

PREREQUISITES : Succesful Completion of Year 1 courses

Course Description:

This course is designed to have students understand the concepts related to population and the
role of population issues in development planning. The interpretation of charts diagrams and
maps relating to population distribution and density will allow students to understand the need
for planned settlements to satisfy the distribution of resources in communities. Students will
evaluate the impact of migration and urbanization on population and settlement.

UNIT 1: Population

Hours: 15 Hrs

Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this unit student should be able to:

1. Explain correctly, the concepts related to population

2. Examine sources of population data
3. Outline factors influencing population distribution and density
4. Critically examine the factors which affect the structure and composition of population.
5. Discuss the implications of rapid population growth on the economy and the environment
6. Examine theories of population growth.
7. Interpret charts, diagrams and graphs representing population data.

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 8. Discuss the relevance of population studies
9. Assess different population policies implemented by governments
10. Recognise the important role that population control plays in development

Content:

 Theories of population-Malthusian, Neo-Malthusian, Marxism

 Sources of population data
- census
- birth, death, marriage records
 Population concepts – birth rate, death rate, mortality, fertility, life expectancy
 Elements of population
o Distribution
 - density/sparseness/Dot Map/Choropleth Map
 Factors influencing distribution – physical (relief, resources); human (social
services, economic activities)
o Structure- age/sex/pyramid
o Composition – ethnic/racial
 Effects of Rapid population growth
- Social
- Economic
- Environmental
 Population Policies
- pro-natal / anti-natal
Case study – Jamaica, China, Sweden, UK/Canada

UNIT 2: MIGRATION

Hours: 15 Hrs

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this unit student will:

1. Describe types of migration

2. Discuss factors that influence migration
3. Interpret maps illustrating patterns of migration within and outside the region
4. Evaluate the social and economic effects of population movement on housing, family
structure/roles, norms, crime, population demography, productivity.
5. Examine the implications of population movement for development planning.
6. Assess the role of the Caribbean diaspora in social and economic development of host
and receiving countries

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 7. Assess migration policies being pursued by different states
8. Show awareness of the significance of population movement in decision-making by
government

Content:

 Population movement – Types of migration

o internal /external migration
o regional / international migration
o rural / urban migration
o Forced / voluntary Migration
 Factors influencing migration
a. Push factors
b. Pull factors

Migration patterns and Trends

c. Flow-line maps
d. Migration patterns and trends across the Caribbean
e. Migration patterns and trends outside the Caribbean
 Impact of migration on an area – social, cultural, environmental, economic

o Impact on receiving area / country - Urban Blight

o Urban Sprawl

Impact on sending area or country

Brain drain
Rural decline
o The Caribbean Diaspora
o Migration policies
- United States
- United Kingdom

UNIT 3: SETTLEMENT

Hours: 15hrs

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this unit student will:

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 1. Describe the site and situation of settlements
2. Critically assess the role of functions of settlements in the classification of settlements
3. Identify different factors that contribute to the various settlement patterns.
4. Analyze maps showing different settlement patterns
5. Differentiate between rural and urban settlements
6. Distinguish between urban growth and urbanization
7. Discuss factors influencing rapid urbanization
8. Elaborate on the impact and various solutions of rapid urbanization
9. Recognise the need for the planned development of settlements

Content:

 Characteristics of settlements
o site
o hierarchy
o size
o Functions
 Settlement Patterns
o Types – linear, disperse, nucleated
o Factors influencing settlement patterns –
 geographic
 socio-economic
 Planned and Unplanned settlements
o Characteristics
o Factors influencing development of these
 Urbanization
o Features of urbanization
o Factors influencing urbanization – migration, development policies,
modernization
 Results of urbanization –
o urban sprawl
o urban blight
o urban drift
 Land use in urban areas –
o residential
o industrial
o commercial
o recreational/green spaces

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Urban Land Use Models

o Burgess – Concentric Circles Model

o Hoytt – Sector Model
o Ulman and Harris – Multiple Nuclei Model

Teaching methods

Practical work involving interpretation and analysis of maps, charts and diagrams.

Lecture and discussion

Individual research

Group work/ cooperative learning

Field work

Assessment:

Course work: 50%

Essay 10%

Group Presentation 20%

Community Study/Field Report 20%

(Students should complete a study or report on population growth/change, migration or
urbanization in a small community of their choice. The study/report should look at issues related
these and efforts to overcome these. Location maps should also be included)

Written Examination: 50%

Students will complete two (2) questions of six (6) in two (2) hours

RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND REQUIRED READING

Leong, Goh Cheng. (1983). Certificate Physical and Human Geography. UK: Oxford University
Press

Leong, Goh Cheng. (1997). Human and Economic Geography. UK: Oxford University Press

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Ross, Simon. (2000). Essential AS Geography. London: Nelson Thornes

Umraw R.R & Ramsawak R. (1985). Modules in Social Studies. Trinidad: Caribbean
Educational Publisher.
Waugh, David. (2009). Geography: An Integrated Approach. UK: Nelson Thornes and Sons

Wilson, Mark. (2005). The Caribbean Environment: Geography for CXC. UK: Oxford
University Press

http://www.vision2030.gov.jm/Portals/0/Sector_Plan/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20POPULATION2.pdf

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20110404/news/news1.html

http://www.statoids.com/ujm.html

http://www.scalloway.org.uk/popu1.htm

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/jamaica/population-density-people-per-sq-km-wb-data.html

http://www.prb.org/

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/populations/ctydensityh.htm

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