SALALE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY

Academic Year: 2015 Year: IV Semester: I

Mode of delivery: Parallel Course Code: SoAn4103

Course Title: Population Studies in Anthropological Perspective Credit Hours: 3

Course Instructor: Miliyon B.

Course Description
The course is an introduction to population studies in Anthropological perspective. Population study in
Anthropology differs from formal population study in that examines population change in the context of a
wide range of Socio-cultural and economic as well as ecological variables. In methodology, it features
some ethnographic approach with a focus on the micro-level of research problems. Some basic
knowledge and skills in population studies are important for Social anthropology students. The main
course content include: Introduction, population study methods in Social Anthropology, theories on
population growth, population distribution, and population change and population policy.
Course Objectives
At the end of this course, attentive students will be able to:-
 Understand basic concepts of population and demography from anthropological perspective.
 Identify and employ the different population study methods in Social Anthropology.
 Describe, compare and contrast different theories on population growth.
 Understand the factors that affect global and regional population distribution.
 Equip with the issue of population change.
 Explain the policy implications of population growth.

Course Contents

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1 Definition of population

1.2 Nature and scope of population studies in Social anthropology

Chapter Two: Population study methods in Social Anthropology

2.1 Demographic methods

2.2 Census Method

2.3 Registration system Method

2.4 Sample methods

2.5 Dual reporting system

2.6 Genealogical method.

Chapter Three: Theories of population studies

3.1 Socio cultural and economic theories

3.2 Malthusian theory

3.3 Optimum population theory

3.4 Demographic transition theory

3.5 Biological theory

Chapter Four: Population Distribution

4.1 Factors affecting population distribution

4.2 World Population Distribution Pattern

4.3 Measure of population Distribution/Density

Chapter Five: Population change

5.1 Factors affecting population growth: Biological and Socio - ecological, fecundity, fertility, natality, mortality and
morbidity; age at menarche, age at menopause, age at marriage and marital distance, measures of fertility and mortality.

5.2 Population and Environment

5.3 Population and Culture

5.4 Migration Trends of population Growth: Developing VS Developed Countries

Chapter Six: Population Policy:

6.1 The Need for population policy,

6.2 Types of Population Policies and Strategies,

6.3 Post Natal VS Anti-natal Policy and

6.4 Population Strategies Population Policies, Strategies in Developing Vs. Developed countries
Distribution of Values for Assessment

1. Group assignment (paper and presentation).…………...………………..….……………...20%

2. Tests………………….………….…………………………………………………………...30%
3. Final exam...……………………………………………………………………….…………50%
References
1. Assefa Hailemariam(1994). Population Policies and Programmes. Addis Ababa: Ministry of Education, ICDR.
2. Barnabas Yisa (1994). Emergency and Development of Population and Family LifeEducation, ICDR.
3. Agarwala, S.N. 1977 - India’s Population Problem, New Delhi: Tata McGraw Publishing Company Ltd.
4. Barclay, G.W. 1968 - Techniques of Population Analysis. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
5. Bogue, D.J. 1969 - Principles of Demography. New York :John Wiley and sons.
6. Chnadrashekar,S 1976 - India’s Population : Fact and Policy. Meerut: Meenakshi.
7. Kohli, K.L. 1977 - Mortality in India: a State-wide Study. New Delhi: Sterling Publishers.
8. Mahadevan, K. 1984 - Stratagies for Population Control. Tirupathi: S.V. University.
9. Mahadevan, K. 1986 - Fertility and Mortality Theory Methodology and Empirical Issues. New Delhi Sage
Publications.
10. Mahadevan, K et al 1985 - Infant and Child Mortality: Bio - Social Determinants New Delhi: Mittal Publishers.
11. Mandelbaum,D.G. 1974 - Human Fertility in India. Delhi:Oxford University Press.
12. Srinivas, M.N and E. A Rangaswamy 1977 - Culture and Human Fertility in India. Delhi : Oxford University
Press.
13. Shryak, H.S. et al 1971 - The Methods and Materials of Demography. Washington: U.S. Department of
Economics.