PředmětyPředměty(verze: 978)
Předmět, akademický rok 2025/2026
   Přihlásit přes CAS
World population history and perspectives - MD360P58X
Anglický název: World population history and perspectives
Český název: Světová populační historie a perspektivy
Zajišťuje: Katedra demografie a geodemografie (31-360)
Fakulta: Přírodovědecká fakulta
Platnost: od 2025
Semestr: letní
E-Kredity: 8
Způsob provedení zkoušky: letní s.:
Rozsah, examinace: letní s.:2/1, Z+Zk [HT]
Počet míst: 7
Minimální obsazenost: 1
4EU+: ne
Virtuální mobilita / počet míst pro virtuální mobilitu: ne
Stav předmětu: vyučován
Jazyk výuky: angličtina
Garant: RNDr. Tomáš Kučera, CSc.
Vyučující: RNDr. Tomáš Kučera, CSc.
Prerekvizity : MD360E01, MD360E03
Anotace -
This course provides a comprehensive examination of past and expected global population development from
early historical periods to the end of the 21st century. It explores the development of population size and age-sex
structures of population at the global and country level, key transitions in fertility, mortality, migration, and age
structure, and considers both the diversity and commonalities of population trajectories and demographic patterns.
The course aims to contextualise population dynamics within broader economic, social, political, cultural and
environmental frameworks. It draws on demographic theory, empirical data, and international comparative
perspectives to foster critical understanding of historical and contemporary challenges and future scenarios.
Poslední úprava: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (14.05.2025)
Podmínky zakončení předmětu -
Assessment:
8 ECTS credits
Component Weight (%)
Assignment 1 (historical/theoretical paper, 900-1200 words) 20%

Assignment 2 (applied regional case study, 900-1200 words) 20%

Final written exam 60%

Assignments: Each student must submit two written assignments based on approved topics.

Exam: The written exam will assess students’ understanding of demographic concepts and their ability to synthesise key trends and challenges.

Consultation: Each student must attend at least two consultation sessions per assignment to discuss their assignment topic and receive feedback.

Conditions for Passing:
Submission of both assignments on time.

Minimum 50% score on the final exam.

Attendance at least four consultation sessions.

Poslední úprava: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (14.05.2025)
Literatura -
Resources & Reading List:
Core Literature:
John C. Caldwell (2006): Demographic Transition Theory. Springer.

Jean-Claude Chesnais (1992): The Demographic Transition. Clarendon Press

Tim Dyson (2010): Population and Development. Zed Books.

Sergey P. Kapitza (2004): Global population Blow-up. Nauka, Moscow.

UN DESA: World Population Prospects (different editions, 1990-2024), World Fertility Report, World Mortality Report

Supplementary Readings:
Rodolfo A. Bulatao & John B. Casterline (2001): Global Fertility Transition - []

Pison (2011): World Population: Seven billions today, how many tomorrow? - []

Omran (1971/1982): Epidemiologic Transition Theory - []

Poslední úprava: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (14.05.2025)
Požadavky ke zkoušce -
Assessment:
8 ECTS credits
Component Weight (%)
Assignment 1 (historical/theoretical paper, 900-1200 words) 20%

Assignment 2 (applied regional case study, 900-1200 words) 20%

Final written exam 60%

Assignments: Each student must submit two written assignments based on approved topics.

Exam: The written exam will assess students’ understanding of demographic concepts and their ability to synthesise key trends and challenges.

Consultation: Each student must attend at least two consultation sessions per assignment to discuss their assignment topic and receive feedback.

Conditions for Passing:
Submission of both assignments on time.

Minimum 50% score on the final exam.

Attendance at least four consultation sessions.

Poslední úprava: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (14.05.2025)
Sylabus -
1. Introduction: World Population in Perspective
o Historical data sources, their quality and methodological issues of studying past population development

o Population growth through history

2. Basic Theories of Demographic Change
o Malthusian theory, demographic revolution/transition, second demographic transition

o Epidemiological transition

3. Fertility Transition: Global Patterns and Regional Specificities
o Historical fertility trends and modern fertility decline

o High fertility contexts and policy implications

4. Mortality Transition and Epidemiological Change
o Life expectancy, historical mortality crises, global health disparities

o COVID-19 and its demographic implications

5. Migration and Urbanisation
o Drivers of migration and global migration regimes

o Urbanisation and its demographic consequences

6. Population Structures: Age, Sex, and Family
o Demographic window of opportunity, demographic dividend, and demographic ageing

o Marriage, divorce, and changing household structures

7. Regional Perspectives on Population Development
o Europe, Russia and post-Soviet countries, Asia with a specific focus on China, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea, the Americas, the Islamic world, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

o Demographic diversity in the world, policy challenges, and development links

8. The Future of the Global Population
o Changing view of the UN DESA Population Division on population development in the world in the 21st century.

o Sustainable development in the context of expected demographic changes

Poslední úprava: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (14.05.2025)
Výsledky učení -

Having successfully completed this course, a student will be able to:

· Explain the historical trends and demographic transitions shaping global population

development.

· Identify and assess the changing impact of key components of population change,

including fertility, mortality, and migration, on population development.

· Compare and contrast demographic developments across world regions using

quantitative and qualitative evidence.

· Evaluate the implications of demographic change for social and economic

development, environment, and public policies.

· Apply theoretical models and demographic indicators to critically analyse historical

and future scenarios of population change.

Poslední úprava: Janáková Kuprová Barbora, RNDr., Ph.D. (14.05.2025)
 
Univerzita Karlova | Informační systém UK