African Methodist Episcopal University

134. Camp. Johnson Road

Monrovia Liberia.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Demography and Social Statistics

Programme (Proposed)

(B.Sc Bachelor of Science Degree)

March 1, 2023
Table of Contents

Introduction 3
Demography 3
Vision 4
Mission 4
Philosophy of the Programme 4
Aim of the Programme 4
Objectives of the Programme 5
Program Structure 5
Duration 5
Curriculum 6
Final Year Options 6
Individual Research Project (Dissertation) 6
Admission Requirements 6
Graduation Requirements 6

YEAR ONE: SEMESTER ONE 6

DSS111: Introduction to Demographic Concepts I 6
DSS112: Social Demography 7
DSS113 - Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences I 7
ENGLISH 101 7
BIOLOGY 101 7

YEAR ONE: SEMESTER TWO 7

DSS123 Introduction to Public Health Concepts I 7
DSS121: Introduction to Demographic Concepts II 8
DSS 122 Introduction to Social Statistics II 8
ENGLISH 102 8
BIOLOGY 102 8
MATH 123 8

YEAR TWO: SEMESTER ONE 9

DSS211 Introduction to Population and Studies I 9
DSS212 Statistical Methods Sources I 9
ECON 203 9
DSS213: Introduction to Health & Population I 9
DSS214: Introduction to Population Geography II 9

YEAR TWO: SEMESTER TWO 10

DSS221: Introduction to Population Studies II 10
DSS222: Statistical Methods and Sources II 10
ECON 204 10
DSS223: Introduction to Health & Population II 10
DSS224 Elementary Mathematics II 11

YEAR THREE: SEMESTER ONE 11

DSS311: Introduction to Data Evaluation 11
DSS312: Sources and Nature of Social Statistical Data 11

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 DSS313: The Nature, Evolution & Organization of Social Investigation 12
DSS314: Labour Force Concepts & Measurements I 12
DSS315: Statistical Programming & Data Processing I 12
DSS316: Programming in Social Statistics 1 13

YEAR THREE: SEMESTER TWO 13

DSS321: Measures of Population Change 13
DSS322: Social Statistics 13
DSS323: Data Collection, Analysis, & Presentation 14
DSS324: Labour Force—Theoretical Considerations 14
DSS325: Statistical Programming and Data Processing II 14
DSS 326 Monitoring & Evaluation 14

YEAR FOUR: SEMESTER ONE 15

DSS411: Demographic Data Evaluation 15
DSS412: Population Theories 15
DSS413: Advanced Social Statistics I 15
DSS414: Reproductive Health I 16
DSS415: Population and Environment 16

YEAR FOUR: SEMESTER TWO 16

DSS421 Demographic Estimation and Projections 16
DSS422 Population Trends and Policies 17
DSS423 Advanced Social Statistics II 17
DSS424 Reproductive Health II – Monitoring and Evaluation 17
DSS426 Research Project I (Research Methodology) 18
DSS428 Research Project II 18

FACULTY NAMES 22

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 Introduction
Considering the rich profile of the African Methodist Episcopal University as a private
church-related co-educational four-year degree- granting university that is similar to others
University, the replication of demography curriculum (including its improvement) in AMEU
would definitely not be a difficult achievement for us. Demography in AMEU will be run as
a skilled-based training and empowerment scheme for Liberia residents and individuals that
will want to tap the same opportunity (from far and near, across the globe) but with
accreditation from African Methodist episcopal University (AMEU).

We understand the enormous manpower problem and inadequate supply of faculty in

tertiary Education and this cuts across several countries, especially in the sub-Saharan
Africa region. Besides, no country has ever had enough of routine and reliable health data,
or saturated with capacity building for her population scientists, and there will always be the
need to prevent or stop the spread of certain diseases or the other. The programs of
demography will help in developing or strengthening the collection, use of routine health
data, increase the country-level capacity to manage health information systems, enhance
quality evaluation of existing and future population- health related and development
programs.

The programs of demography (in various levels) in AMEU will enhance the development of
the skills to use population information, understanding the relevance of information on
population size, composition, and distribution in the planning activities in the areas of
education, health care services, demand of services (production, sales analysis), and
economic development. The programs will be situated as novel initiative of AMEU in
Liberia towards finding sustainable solution to lack of adequate information on human
population, and balanced educational skills for Liberia’s continuous development, benefiting
from ‘Education for All (EFA)’ goal and the about concluded ‘Agenda for Transformation
and Education Sector Plan (ESP) 2010-2020’. Demography programs will seek further
collaboration with agencies in charge of HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, reproductive health and
other key health issues within and outside Liberia.

Demography

“Demography is destiny” is an often cited phrase that illustrates the importance of the
discipline and why it is necessary that everyone have at least a basic knowledge of it.
Demographic knowledge is indispensable in the development of any country, especially in
the areas of population management, migration challenges, fertility issues as well as mortality
dimensions, including public health and environmental issues. Specifically, the most crucial
events in life are births, migration, marriages, divorces, family size, income, housing, deaths,
and the dynamic changes in them are of great cultural, biological, social, economic and
political salience both in short and long terms. Demography as a social science treats these
dynamics in both qualitative and quantitative manners. Demography is a skilled-based
training in population studies, vital statistics, censuses, surveys, community/public health,
program evaluation and monitoring using both empirical and statistical methods as its

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common tools. Demographic analysis enjoys reality and makes as much use of advanced
mathematics as those of any other disciplines in the social sciences.

Demography is a discipline that deals with the study of human populations in respect to the
sizes, composition and changes that occur in them. It examines the causes of those changes
and the consequences they have on social, economic, political, environmental, health and
general well-being of the population. It therefore enables the formulation and development
of policies and programs that are evidence-based which are required to provide appropriate
solutions to such issues or challenges. Demography interrelates with most of the other
disciplines in the social and health sciences, thereby making it one of the fundamental
disciplines to those other fields of studies or disciplines.

Vision

The vision of the DSS Programme is to train a new generation of leaders who will be highly
skilled in their chosen areas of specializations, and who will, through active participation in
courses based on the fully prepared mind and academically, take practical decisions of their
environment.

Mission

The mission of the Programme dovetails into that of the university geared to create
knowledge and problem solving graduates that will restore the dignity of black race, and
rapid development of the sub-Saharan Africa region.

Philosophy of the Programme

The philosophy of the Department hinged on the philosophy of a University, which is geared
towards the development of the man understanding population and data sciences underlying
the courses offered in the Programme is to produce graduates who are capable of making
informed contributions to population programmes and policies, public health in a globalized
environment, especially as they relate to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and
African Union Agendas.

Aim of the Programme

The aim of the Programme is to train a new general of future leaders premised on the Total-
Man Concept with critical minds and equipped with statistical skills and demographic finesse
to take on the challenges of the human conditions at any phase of development or sectors of
industry they find themselves.

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Objectives of the Programme

The overall objective of the Bachelor of Science (Demography) program is to increase the
number of professionals in the field of demography in order to meet the current and future
demand of government, parastatals, non-governmental organizations, and private sector.
The specific objectives of the Department of Demography and Social Statistics are to:

a. To create graduates in demographic studies;

b. To satisfy the current and future demand for demography specialists in government
bodies, parastatals, non-governmental agencies, and private sector.
c. To generate income for the running and sustenance of the demography department
and university
d. To expand the opportunities and choice of application for admission to AMEU
e. The interdisciplinary degree will give graduates wider knowledge and more skills in
handling developmental issues in the country.
f. To provide instructional courses in demography and social statistics that would
produce well-formed individuals capable of working effectively in academic or
professional settings.
g. To train students in research and afford them the opportunity to apply their skills in
solving population and related social-economic, political and development problems
arising from contemporary LiberianS, and internationally.
h. train students to become problem solvers, planners, managers and critical analysts,
who would apply their knowledge of demographic principles and techniques and
come up with policy prescriptions that are adequate for bringing solutions to the
identified problems or challenges in human populations;
i. prepare students for both the world of work in government and non-governmental
organizations, academics, industries, firms, factories, etc., as well as in self-
employment through acquisition of relevant knowledge through Data Studies at
AMEU;
j. provide undergraduate students with required knowledge and skills necessary for
graduate studies either at AMEU or at any other University throughout the world;
and
k. bring up God-fearing and visionary leaders through the combination of relevant
quality demographic training and, spiritual development which are emphasized at
every level of their training in AMEU

Program Structure

Duration

The Bachelor of Science (Demography and Social Statistics) will be four years. Each year
shall consist of 2 semesters.

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Curriculum

The Program shall consist of 49 courses and one research project. All courses in the second
and third years will be core. In the fourth-year, students shall select the combination of
courses from three options: Demography, Population and Health and Social and Economic
Demography. A total of 40 courses plus one research project will be taken by each student in
the four years.

Final Year Options

In the fourth and final year of study, students may register for only one of the following
optional areas/specializations:
● Demography and Actuarial Science
● Population and Health
● Social and Economic Demography

Individual Research Project (Dissertation)

To be admitted to the award of the Bachelor of Science (Demography) degree, a candidate

shall submit a written acceptable report on a research topic in Demography and related
subjects he/she designed and carried out. The report shall be submitted before the last
semester examinations in the final year.

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking for admission into the 4-year programmes of the Demography and Social
Statistics Programme should fulfill the following requirements:
The candidate must also fulfill all other admission requirements as prescribed by the Senate
of AMEU.
❖ The candidate should possess and complete high school.
❖ The candidate should pass WAEC / WASSCE

Graduation Requirements

To graduate from the 4-year Bachelor of Science degree programme in Demography and
Social Statistics, students must have completed a minimum of 150 credit units as indicated as
follows:.

YEAR ONE: SEMESTER ONE

DSS111: Introduction to Demographic Concepts I

(3 Units)

This course introduces the basic concepts and principles of demography to students. Topics
covered include: Definition of terms, concepts, nature and scope of demography, inter-

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relationship of demography with other disciplines, historical development of demography,
Sources of Demographic Data (Censuses, Vital Registration, Surveys, etc), limitation of
different sources of data. Basic demographic measures – fertility and mortality and migration
measures – crude rates versus specific rates, population structure, population pyramid,
dependency ratios. Components of population change, population balancing equation, simple
population estimation and projection, how to study population – demographic analysis (or
formal demography) versus population studies.

DSS112: Social Demography

(3 Units)

The course defines social demography based on key perspectives in the literature. It deals
with social factors i.e. gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and religion and their
effects and consequences on a population with respect to fertility, mortality and migration. It
includes factors leading to social inequality or disparity in health with special focus on
Liberia

DSS113 - Mathematics for Business and Social Sciences I

(3 Units)

Mathematics and Symbolic Logic; Inductive and Deductive System; Concepts of Sets;
Mappings and Transformation; Introduction to complex Numbers; Introduction to Vectors;
Matrix and Determinants, Discrete and continuous variables, the straight line in various
forms; The Circle, Trigonometric Functions; Exponential Functions Maxima, Minima and
Points of Inflection; Integral Calculus; Integration by Substitution and By-Parts: Expansion
of Algebraic Functions; - Simple Sequences and Series.

ENGLISH 101

(3 Units)
(Details needed)

BIOLOGY 101

(3 Units)
(Details needed)

YEAR ONE: SEMESTER TWO

DSS123 Introduction to Public Health Concepts I

(3 Units)

This introductory course mainly focuses on key concepts in public health and how they have
changed over the years in the discipline. It will include understanding of key measures in

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public health such as risk ratio definition, relative risk, odd ratios among others. It will
differentiate between incidence and prevalence using contemporary public health and related
programme intervention examples.

DSS121: Introduction to Demographic Concepts II

(3 Units)

Concepts and measurements in Demography: Demographic and socioeconomic factors

affecting fertility, Fertility indicators and measurements (e.g.., Crude Birth Rate, Age-
Specific Birth Rates, General Fertility Rate, Total Fertility Rate, Gross Reproduction Rate
and Net Reproduction Rate, Parity Specific Rates, Parity Progression Ratio, etc.). Mortality
and Mortality Indicators - Definitions and measurement of different mortality indicators,
Infant mortality rate and its adjustments, Maternal Mortality Rate and Ratio, Cause-Specific
Death Rate and Ratio, Life expectancy at birth, Age standardization of mortality and fertility
rates. Introduction to Migration: Nature of migration, theory of migration, measurement of
migration. Demographic Transition Theory: Historical demographic changes, Transition
stages for developing and developed Countries. Population Composition (Structure): Age-Sex
Composition, Population pyramid.

DSS 122 Introduction to Social Statistics II

(3 Units)

Classification and Tabulations. Introduction to measures of central tendencies, Applications

of measures of central tendency. Measures of dispersion and their applications. Measures of
association and their applications in social reality. Using the mean and standard deviation
together. Weighted Averages and Index numbers. Interpretations of index numbers

ENGLISH 102

(3 Units)

(Details needed)

BIOLOGY 102

(3 Units)

(Details needed)

MATH 123

(3 Units)

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(Details needed)

YEAR TWO: SEMESTER ONE

DSS211 Introduction to Population and Studies I

(3 Units)

Sources of demographic data: the field canvass, Censuses and surveys, the record system,
population register, vital registration administrative records. Reliability of demographic data
and the associated concepts of de facto, de jure population enumeration, the post enumeration
survey (PES), types of census questionnaire and types of census errors. History of World
Population growth: Paleolithic to early historic period, population of the ancient to modern
times, population growth in the modern period. Introduction to Population Theory: the vital
revolution in the past. Mortality and Fertility trends and natural increase. Demographic
changes in developing countries. The Nigerian Population Scheme.

DSS212 Statistical Methods Sources I

(3 Units)

The nature of statistical methods. Frequency distribution; Measures of Central Tendency

(Mean, Mode, Median; Measures of dispersion: Range, Variance, Standard Deviation;
Elementary Probability Theory (Binomial, Normal and Poisson Distributions) relationships
between urban and rural settlements. Environmental resources; the concepts of resources:
types of resources and their global distribution; relationship between resources and tertiary
activities; impacts of human activities on the environment at varying levels of technology and
population densities. The role of movement; flows of people, goods, energy and ideas.

ECON 203

(3 Units)

(Details needed)

DSS213: Introduction to Health & Population I

(3 Units)

It discusses concepts of healthy population, health care, primary health care, community
health care etc. It outlines and discusses health disparities in populations, drawing
comparisons between developed and less developed countries, and distinctions between past
and present status of population health.

DSS214: Introduction to Population Geography II

(3 Units)

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This course focuses on Population Geography of Liberia. Geographical regions of Liberia
and her Geo-Political Zones. Fertility, Mortality and Migration trends in Nigeria. History of
Population Censuses in Liberia from Inception till-date. The Liberia Population, Peoples,
tribes, socio-economic structure and activities and tribes/ethnicity. Population growth and
components with cross countries comparisons. Migration analysis and interpretation for
policy formulation. The Liberia population structure, distribution patterns and their
implications.

YEAR TWO: SEMESTER TWO

DSS221: Introduction to Population Studies II

(3 Units)

The age-sex composition and its importance in population studies. Types of age-structure:
Progressive, Stationary, Regressive, the effect of Fertility and Mortality on age-structure.
Methods of presenting age-sex data. Migration Concepts: Internal-rural-rural, rural-urban,
urban-rural, urban-urban; International Migration; volume of migration; age-sex selectivity
in migration. Urbanization Concepts; historical trends and contemporary patterns in
developing countries. Labour-force concepts: economically active and inactive population
manpower, employment, unemployment and underemployment, employment in major
sectors of the economy.

DSS222: Statistical Methods and Sources II

(3 Units)

Tests of Hypotheses; small sample tests; t - test, X2 – test and F-test; Regression analysis;
Analysis of Variance; Time series analysis; Index numbers; Sources of Statistical Data in
Liberia.

ECON 204

(3 Units)
(Details needed)

DSS223: Introduction to Health & Population II

(3 Units)

This course deals with key factors responsible for health disparities among populations
across the world. It explains the relationships between the health of a population and the life
expectancies of sub-groups of the population including children, adolescents, adults, and the
elderly; it stresses the linkages between health disparities and the workforce, productive
potentials, and productivity of a population now and in the future. This course deals with
key factors responsible for health disparities among populations across the world. It

10
explains the relationships between the health of a population and the life expectancies of
sub-groups of the population including children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly; it
stresses the linkages between health disparities and the workforce, productive potentials,
and productivity of a population now and in the future.

DSS224 Elementary Mathematics II

(4 Units)

Introduction to number system introduction natural number integers rational numbers

imaginary numbers summary and review questions elementary algebra introduction equations
inequality partial fractions surds indices logarithm summary and review questions. Sequence
and series, sequence, series, arithmetic projection, geometric projection, convergence of
series, summary and review questions. Introduction to permutation, combination and
binomial theorem learning objectives: introduction permutation, combination, binomial
theorem, summary and review questions. Introduction to matrix algebra: meaning of a matrix,
special forms of square matrices, operation of matrices: addition, subtraction and
multiplication, minor, cofactor, adjoint and inverse of a matrix, solution to simultaneous
equations by matrix: inverse matrix method, cramer’s rule and gauss elimination method,
eigenvectors and eigenvalues, application of matrix algebra to business and economics,
summary and review questions. Differential calculus: function of one variable differentiation
from first principles, differentiability and continuity, rules of differentiation, differentiation of
parametric functions, second and higher order derivatives, economic applications, summary
and review questions

YEAR THREE: SEMESTER ONE

DSS311: Introduction to Data Evaluation

(3 Units)

Errors in demographic data: Simple methods of appraising demographic data – digit

preference and age-sex ratios, age-sex accuracy index, Whipples, Myers, United Nations
indices etc. Adjustment of errors in demographic data: adjustment of census totals for under
or over enumeration, adjustment of age data e.g. Newton‟s formula and the United Nations
Smoothing Formula. Standardization techniques: “direct”. Comparative Mortality Index.

DSS312: Sources and Nature of Social Statistical Data

(3 Units)

Nature of social statistics, sources of social statistics, population and housing censuses,
administrative records and household sample surveys. Documents that contain social and
economic data: published and unpublished national documents and international documents;
uses and limitations of social data. Population Statistics, sources of population data:
censuses, surveys, vital registration, etc. Documentation, national and international

11
documents; Uses and limitations of census statistics, errors in census data, errors in survey
data and errors in Vital Registration Record. Health Statistics: types of health Data, Uses
and limitations. Educational Statistics: sources, uses and limitations. Housing Statistics,
Sources and Uses of Housing Statistics, need for Housing, Labor Statistics, Sources of
Labour Statistics, uses and limitations. Social Security Statistics, Sources, uses and
limitations, crime statistics, classification of crime, sources, uses and limitations, Sources of
Criminal Statistics. Socio-economic indicators, prerequisite for selecting socioeconomic
indicators.

DSS313: The Nature, Evolution & Organization of Social Investigation

(3 Units)

Definition of social research; explaining the purpose of research, identification, and

justification of research problems. Evolution of social investigation and contemporary social
investigations. Research process, a survey of literature, a survey of educational practices, or
opinion, Case studies, socio-metric study group, sociological and anthropological studies
etc. Complete census, pilot studies and sample surveys. Choosing a field research;
background reading; formulating a title. Defining the topic, choosing the method, choosing
the subjects (coverage), sampling design and statistical techniques; pilot study.

DSS314: Labour Force Concepts & Measurements I

(3 Units)

The Development of the Labor Force Concepts: Basic concepts and definitions; problems of
definitions and those relating to specific groups – unpaid family worker, marginal worker,
unemployed person etc. Demographic measures of the Economically Active Population:
Crude, Refined, Age-Specific and standardized activity rates; measures of Employment,
Unemployment and Underemployment. Measurement of working life: Working life tables
for males and females; gross and net years of active life; economic implications of changes
in length of working life. Estimation of future labor Force: Manpower projections.

DSS315: Statistical Programming & Data Processing I

(3 Units)

The course discusses the various statistical software in social sciences, their usefulness and
applications in social investigation and data analysis. It provides overview of basic concepts
in statistics, and instruments of data collection in quantitative research and the process of
computerization. It discusses qualitative data software and applications in qualitative
research. It involves questionnaire editing, data entry, data clinic, and quantitative data
measurements and statistical techniques application in programming. Examples of data
analysis are provided using statistical programming- comparing group effects, and finding
relationships between variables.

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DSS316: Programming in Social Statistics 1

(3 Units)

Emphasis is placed on the application of special topics in statistics to demographic issues –

population estimation; population modeling, curve fitting in data evaluation and graduation
using computer programming and simulations; application of experimental methods in
health, education, housing stock and the probability theory estimation. Statistical
distribution: Binomial and poisson; hyper-geometric and multinomial; sampling distribution
of the mean and other linear forms: understanding of statistical tables. Programming and
estimation of point and interval, test of hypothesis; testing problems, definition and general
concepts. Power of test, one-and two-sided alternatives; critical regions. Correlation
Analysis: the bivariate normal distribution, correlation from bivariate normal. Regression
Analysis – Least-squares estimation, inferences about the intercept and slopes; coefficient
of determination.

YEAR THREE: SEMESTER TWO

DSS321: Measures of Population Change

(3 Units)

Measurement of fertility: the crude birth rates, General fertility rate, age-specific birth rates,
adjusted rates, age-sex standardized rate, fertility rates for order of birth, marital fertility
rates, gross and net reproduction rates, child-woman ratio, nuptiality. Measurement of
Mortality: Crude death rate, standardized “direct” and “indirect” measurement of mortality
in infancy and childhood. The Life Table-Types, functions and the interrelation.
Measurement of migration: Concepts, and definitions – Internal and International: Source of
data, direct and indirect methods of measurement – census, vital statistics: Measurement of
Population growth – natural increases, total growth.

DSS322: Social Statistics

(3 Units)

Emphasis is placed in the application of special topics in statistics to demographic issues –

population estimation; population modeling, curve fitting in data evaluation and graduation;
application of experimental methods in health, education, housing stock and the probability
theory estimation. Statistical distribution: Binomial and poisson; hypergeometric and
multinomial; sampling distribution of the mean and other linear forms; understanding of
statistical tables. Estimation – point and interval, test of hypothesis; testing problems,
definition and general concepts, power of test, one and two-sided alternatives; critical
regions. Correlation analysis: the bivariate normal distribution, correlation in bivariate
distributions, inferences, testing the equality of correlation from bivariate normal.
Regression analysis – least-square estimation, inferences about the intercept and slopes; a
coefficient of determination.

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DSS323: Data Collection, Analysis, & Presentation

(3 Units)

Methods of Data Collection: Participant observation, the questionnaire, records –

advantages and shortcomings of each method of data collection. Questionnaire Design:
Content, wording, open and pre-coded questions; protesting and pilot surveys. Interviewing-
The ethic of social enquiry, the interviewer and the respondents, the problems of report and
non-response. The use of Projective techniques: Socio-metric techniques in the study of
small groups, scaling methods; Introduction to experimental design. Focus on the
importance and use of qualitative methods such as Focused Group Discussion, In-depth
Interviews, Observations, Key-informant approach, role playing and semi-structured
interviews in Demographic research. Data Processing: editing, coding and the problem of
categorization. Tabulation manual and machine tabulation; the use of computer packages.
Analysis: Interpretation and presentation of results – the research proposal and the research
report.

DSS324: Labour Force—Theoretical Considerations

(3 Units)

Demographic and Economic Factors in Labour Force and Size Growth: The effects of total
and age-sex structure of a population, fertility, age-specific activity rate, migration, income,
education etc. on the size and growth of the Labour Force. Economic Development and
Relative Size of the Labour Force: Levels and trends of crude activity rates in countries at
different levels of development; components of crude activity rates and their changes in
countries at different levels of development. Economic Structure of the Labour Force:
Regional Variations and changes in the process of economic growth. Female Participation
in the Labour Force: Substantive studies of these socio-cultural and economic determinants
(more developed and less developed countries). Changes in Women’s participation in the
Labour Force in the Process of Economic Development: The U–curve hypothesis, logistic
trends of participation by females etc.

DSS325: Statistical Programming and Data Processing II

(3 Units)

This course deals with the basics of computer programming and applications. Introduction
to modern Analytical Software Packages in Social Science. This is dynamic and focus is
placed on current EPI INFO, SPSS, STATA, e-View and other packages for data entry and
processing, Basic concepts in data preparation and processing will be discussed.

DSS 326 Monitoring & Evaluation

(3 Units)

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(Details required)

YEAR FOUR: SEMESTER ONE

DSS411: Demographic Data Evaluation

(3 Units)

Assessment of demographic data: some practical testing procedures for errors in population
census and vital registration data. Methods of reducing these errors. Models of population
Growth: Familiarity with the concepts of stationary, stable and quasi-stable population
models and their potentialities for demographic data evaluation and adjustment (without
actual application), model age distribution and rate of growth. Explanation of the concepts
of gross and net reproduction rates, mean length of female generation and replacement
index.

DSS412: Population Theories

(3 Units)

The development of population theory: The ancient and medieval writings. Towards
modern theory: Mercantilist, physiocratic and related views: the political arithmetic.
Malthus and his theory: The Classical and Neoclassical schools of economics and
population theory. Socialists and Marxist writings: Early Socialists, Karl Marx, Engels, Post
Marxian Socialists. Contributions of other disciplines to population theory: Mathematical
theories – the logistic law and related theories of population growth; biological theories and
sociological theories; the demographic transition theory. Optimum population theory; Social
Factors and fertility behavior.

DSS413: Advanced Social Statistics I

(3 Units)

This course, together with DSS423, focuses on the use of statistical procedures in
demographic research. Emphasis is placed on (i) the types of demographic research
hypotheses that could be tested by some of the procedures; (ii) the suitability of some of the
procedures in studying differentials in response or the oral patterns; (iii) the usefulness of
some of the statistical procedures in studying relationships among population parameters
and (iv) the suitability of some procedures in estimating values of demographic variables.
Specific topics to be covered include: Random Variables – concepts; discrete, continuous,
joint probability distributions, mathematical expectations, marginal and conditional
probability functions of two dimensional random variables- relationship to population
models (e.g. stable). Statistical Estimation – Inferences about means and proportions e.g.
Test of significance of the difference between fertility levels of urban and rural populations.
Examining Difference among three or more means – Analysis of Variance – Differences in

15
models (e.g. fixed, random and mixed) corresponding to different research designs will be
examined for one and two-way classifications. Detecting which means differ from the
others – The Multiple Comparisons Procedures; Fisher’s Least Significant Difference,
Tukey‟s W. Procedure, Duncan‟s New Multiple Range, Scheffe‟s S. Method.

DSS414: Reproductive Health I

(3 Units)

Introduction and Definitions of Concepts in Reproductive Health, development of

reproductive health, components of reproductive health, measurements of reproductive
health; male and female reproductive health, indicators of reproductive health, Gender
differences/roles; Maternal health, Child Health and Communicable diseases, prevention of
communicable diseases, vaccine, Expanded Program of Immunization; Maternal mortality
and morbidity, Causes and Intervention; Family Planning (FP): Origins and rationale for
family planning programs, birth control in historical perspective, birth control in traditional
society, family planning methods, fertility Trends and Contraceptive Use, men’s attitude
towards FP, social and cultural aspects of family planning. The spread of knowledge and
practice of family planning in the developing world, sexually transmitted infections:
classification of STIs, HIVIDS and reproductive health, modes of transmission of HIV;
Adolescent Reproductive Health, Reproductive Health Risks Behaviours and consequences,
causes for early unprotected sexual intercourse in adolescents, harmful traditional practices,
violence against women, female genital mutilation, early marriage and its consequences.

DSS415: Population and Environment

(3 Units)

The course focuses on concepts, scope, importance and the interrelationships between
population and environment. Human population growth and sustainable environment.
Biosphere and environment. Development and sustainable environment, Human population
dynamics and environmental crisis. Natural resources and world major natural regions and
their resources. Biodiversity. Population impact on the environment, natural resources and
quality of life. Management and conservation of natural resources. Environment and human
health. Urban growth pollution and control. Solid waste disposal and management. Natural
disaster and its management.

YEAR FOUR: SEMESTER TWO

DSS421 Demographic Estimation and Projections

(3 Units)

Introduction of estimation techniques: the use of the stable, stationary and quasi-stable
models in obtaining demographic parameters for areas with poor and incomplete data; Brass
and other techniques for computing fertility and mortality from current and retrospective

16
data. The life table: Methods of constructing actual life tables: the uses of life tables (survival
probability) in demographic estimation. Population Projection: The nature and types of
population projections, use of population projections, general issues and principles –
assumptions, length of projection period, frequency and nature of revision. Projections of
total populations and sub-population – mathematical and component projection; methods of
estimating population between census dates – interpolation.

DSS422 Population Trends and Policies

(3 Units)

Population trends; world trends levels and differential; implication of fertility and mortality;
the role of migration in world population trends; demographic-economic interrelationship and
world population “explosion”, “momentum”; marriage trends and the birth rate,
contemporary marriage trends in the West. Population Policies: Pro-natalist, effectiveness of
population policies; family planning knowledge and practice; the 1965, 1969, 1974 and 1984
world Population Conferences. Progress towards World Fertility control. Specific areas
studies of population trends in the developing world. determinants of mortality Detailed
analysis of the demographic situation in World; Comparison of demographic situation in
Liberia with those of other African countries using results of recently conducted surveys or
censuses

DSS423 Advanced Social Statistics II

(3 Units)

Multiple Regression: Properties of Multiple Regression, the matrix approach to linear

Regression models, correlation, coefficient determination hypothesis testing and
interpretation of coefficients. Analysis of Covariance: Introduction (the need for the
procedure in demographic analysis); examination of a completely randomized design with
one covariate, multiple covariates. Count data and the Contingency Table. Use of non-
parametric methods in demographic analysis: The Sign-test; Wilcoxon signed rank test;
Mann Whitney test; Kruskal Wallis test;

DSS424 Reproductive Health II – Monitoring and Evaluation

(3 Units)

Modern birth control. The spread of family planning practice in the West.Social
psychological factors affecting human reproduction, consequences of family planning for
population growth with special reference to Liberia and other African countries. Factors
influencing non- adoption of contraception. Programmes in the developing world and their
fertility and population trends. Family planning effectiveness and population growth –
Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Tanzania, Mauritius, Puerto Rico, India, etc. Evaluation

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techniques and evaluation studies in selected countries. Monitoring and Evaluation
techniques on family planning programs and policy with reference to World.

DSS426 Research Project I (Research Methodology)

(3 Units)
(DEtails to be developed)

DSS428 Research Project II

(3 Units)

First Year: SEMESTER I

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 111 Introduction to Demography and Concepts I C 3
DSS 112 Introduction to Social Statistics I C 3
DSS 113 Mathematics for Business & Social Sciences I C 4
ENG 101 English I C 3
BIOL 101 Principles of Biology I C 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 16

First Year: SEMESTER II

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 121 Introduction to Demography and Concepts II C 3
ENG 102 English II C 3
DSS 122 Introduction to Social Statistics II C 3
DSS 124 Introduction to Public health Concepts I C 3
BIOL 101 Principle of Biology II C 3
MATH 123 Elementary Statistics C 4
TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 19

18
Second Year: SEMESTER I
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 211 Introduction to Population Studies I C 3
DSS 212 Statistical Methods & Sources I C 3
ECN 203 Principles of Economics I (Micro) C 3
DSS 213 Introduction to Health & Public Health I C 3
DSS 214 Introduction to Population Geography C 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 15

Second Year: SEMESTER II

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 221 Introduction to Population Studies I C 3
DSS 222 Statistical Methods & Sources I C 3
ECN 223 Principles of Economics I (Micro) C 3
DSS 213 Introduction to Health & Public Health I C 3
DSS 224 Introduction to Population Geography C 3
TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 15

Third Year: SEMESTER I

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 311 Introduction to Data Evaluation C 3
DSS 312 Sources & Nature of Social Statistical Data C 3
DSS 313 The Nature, Evolution & Org. of Social C 3
Investigation
DSS 314 Labor force Concepts & Measurement I C 3
DSS 315 Statistical Data Processing I C 3
DSS 316 Social Statistics I C 3

TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 18

Third Year: SEMESTER II

19
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 321 Measure of Population Change C 3
DSS 322 Social Statistics II C 3
ECN 323 Data Collection Analysis C 3
DSS 324 Labor force Theoretical Consideration II C 3
DSS 325 Statistical Data Processing II C 3
DSS 326 M&E C 3

TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 18

Fourth Year: SEMESTER I

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 411 Demographic Data Evaluation C 3
DSS 412 Population theories C 3
DSS 413 Advanced Social Statistics I C 3
DSS 414 Reproductive health I C 3
DSS 415 Population & Environment C 3

TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 15

Four Year: SEMESTER II

COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT
HOUR
DSS 421 Demographic Estimation/Projections C 3
DSS 422 Population Trends & Policies C 3
DSS 423 Advanced Social Statistics II C 3
DSS 424 Reproductive Health II C 3
DSS426 Research Project I (Methodology) C 3
DSS 428 Research Project II C 3

TOTAL CREDIT HOUR 18

ELECTIVE

20
COURSE CODE COURSE TITLE STATUS CREDIT HOUR
SOC 216 Sociology of the Family E 3
ECN 313 Theories of Growth & Development E 3
SOC 325 Gender & Development E 3
DSS 416 Demographic Situations in Developing Countries E 3
I
SOC 423 Qualitative Research Method & Analysis E 3
15

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FACULTY NAMES

NO. NAME OF FACULTY MEMBER ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION UNIVERSITIES

1. PH.D. (Cand) MSC COVENANT UNIVERSITY,
MR.CHRISTIAN PHILIP WASHINGTON DEMOGRAPHY AND SOCIAL STATISTICS OGUN STATE NIGERIA
MA LANZHOU UNIVERSITY,
2. MR. AHMED YAYA SHERIFF DEMOGRAPHY CHINA
UNIVERSITY OF JOS,
3. DR. GEORGE F. SORBOR PH.D. (Cand) MSC, BSC, B.PHARM, RPH, NIGERIA
MA, (RIPS) UNIVERSITY OF GHANA,
4. ASST. PROF. JOHNSON Q. KEI POPULATION STUDIES REPUBLIC OF GHANA
MA, MAKERERE UNIVERSITY,
5. MR. KUNUE B. MASSALLY ECONOMIC POLICY AND PLANNING UGANDA
MA, NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY,
6. MR. ABDUL RAHMAN FAIYAH BAH PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND, UK
MA MAKERERE UNIVERSITY,
7. MR.SOLOMON B. PAYE ECONOMIC UGANDA
MA, (RIPS) UNIVERSITY OF GHANA,
8 MR. GEODERICK WEAH POPULATION STUDIES REPUBLIC OF GHANA
9 Jacob L.W Padmore MA, (RIPS) UNIVERSITY OF GHANA,
POPULATION STUDIES REPUBLIC OF GHANA

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