Kelly Raley

Description:

This seminar offers you the opportunity to learn more about trends in behavior, theories about family change, and analytical techniques for studying families and households. 

Course requirements:

Class participation (30%).  To help you get the most out of this seminar, you and your peers will lead class discussion.  I will provide a reading list, some (hopefully) thought provoking questions, and occasionally a question or comment during class.  Obviously, this means that coming to class prepared (having completed assigned readings and considered how they are interrelated) is essential, even for those not leading the class discussion.  Skimming the articles 1 or 2 hours before class does not constitute preparation.  Weekly attendance is required.  I will provide students feedback on their participation at the midpoint of the semester.

Research Proposal (60%). In addition to class participation, you will complete a proposal for research in the broadly defined area of family demography.   Data analysis is not required for this assignment, but a description of how you will empirically investigate your research question is necessary.  The hope is that this will serve as a start to a publishable paper and/or the acquisition of outside funding.  You will present your proposal to the class at the end of the semester. 

 Final (10%). Towards the end of the semester, I will administer a 1 hour exam worth 10% of your grade.  This exam will ask basic questions about family demography (e.g. What are 3 explanations for the decline in marriage?  Name one sociologist who has provided evidence for or against each explanation.)  I will use this exam primarily to evaluate the course strengths and weaknesses.  Students who keep up with class and keep good notes should not spend more than an hour or two preparing for this exam.

Readings:

There will be readings (about 5-6 per week) which will come from a variety of journals.

DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the field of demography. We cover the basic processes of the field--mortality, fertility, migration, and population distribution, along with several sub-fields. The two main goals of this course are to 1) introduce students to both classic and current literature in the field of social demography, 2) teach students to critically assess the major theories associated with population change. By the end of the semester, students should also know general trends in global population development and have an appreciation of the inter-related nature of migration, fertility, mortality, and age structure. Note that, for those of you who plan a career in social demography, this course provides only a starting point. Students should keep abreast of developments in the literature by reading the leading journals (Demography, Population and Development Review, Population Studies, Population Bulletin, Population Research and Policy Review, and Demographic Research). 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS 

The course meets once a week (Tuesday afternoons), and attendance is expected. I also expect that you will have read the assigned reading for that week and will actively participate in class discussions. Note that I may slightly change the reading list for some section of the course later. You will know the required readings no later than a week before the class they will be discussed. 

GRADING AND REQUIREMENTS

There will be a mid-term exam administered in class  and a take home, cumulative final.

In-class midterm exam  30%

Class participation 40%

Take-home cumulative final 30%. 

Class participation is a core portion of the course. Attendance is mandatory, but not sufficient. Each class session we will discuss 4-6 related readings on a core topic. This discussion will begin with a summary by a student discussion leader. For the discussion leaders and the rest of the class it is a good idea to take notes while you read so that you are prepared for this discussion. After identifying the main points of each article, class members should discuss its strengths, weaknesses, and contributions – and discuss ways in which it may or may not stimulate further research. Again, student preparation and active contribution will be the key to making this work. It is not simply the discussion leader’s responsibility to do all the talking. The class participation portion of your grade will be determined by attendance, the sessions you lead, and your participation in the discussion during sessions you do not lead. 

Examinations will have you answer several questions that ask you to synthesize literature in the area, as well as summarize and evaluate some of the key theories/findings of the field. These exams will also aid in your preparation for the comprehensive examination in demography, if that is your specialization. For the take-home final, your answers must be word-processed. Late examinations will result in a one-letter-grade penalty for each day beyond the due date. 

Description

The purpose of this course is to teach basic research skills. You can use these skills in a wide variety of settings (not just the ivory towers of academia). Specifically, students will learn 
1) basic research approaches
2) how to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches 
3) how to apply these methods to a research problem.
To achieve these goals this course takes a

Grading Policy

Course Grades are calculated as a weighted average of grades on assignments, papers, and exams. 
3 Quizzes:
September 24 10% 
October 29th 15%
December 5th 15%
Be sure to mark your calendar! No make-up quizzes except in extreme circumstances. Make ups will be 100% essay. October 15th--Analysis paper 15%
Design Paper 25% (Due Dec 7th--start early!!)
(Optional first draft due Nov 12th)
Assignments 20% 
(There will be approximately 7. You may drop one. All assignments should be word processed unless instructed otherwise.)

Note: All late assignments will receive a grade of 0. If (for any reason) you are unable to complete one assignment on time you may drop this assignment grade. However, you must complete all assignments. If you do not turn in all assignments by December 7th, I will assign you a letter grade one lower than you would have received otherwise. Note Also: Class attendance is required. Excessive absences will result in a lower grade.

Texts

Schutt, Russell K., Investigating the Social World, Fifth Edition, Pine Forge Press, 2006

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the field of demography.  We cover the basic processes of the field--mortality, fertility, migration, and population distribution, along with several sub-fields. The two main goals of this course are to 1) introduce students to both classic and current literature in the field of social demography, 2) teach students to critically assess the major theories associated with population change.  By the end of the semester, students should also know general trends in global population development and have an appreciation of the inter-related nature of migration, fertility, mortality, and age structure. Note that, for those of you who plan a career in social demography, this course provides only a starting point. Students should keep abreast of developments in the literature by reading the leading journals (Demography, Population and Development Review, Population Studies, Population Bulletin, Population Research and Policy Review, and Demographic Research).

Course Requirements

The course meets once a week (Tuesday afternoons), and attendance is expected.  I also expect that you will have read the assigned reading for that week and will actively participate in class discussions.  Note that I may slightly change the reading list for some section of the course later.  You will know the required readings no later than a week before the class they will be discussed.

There will be a mid-term exam administered in class on Tuesday March 22 and a take home, cumulative final due at noon on Wednesday May 11.  Grades are calculated by the following formula: an in class midterm exam – 30%; class participation - 40 %; take-home cumulative final 30 - %.

Class participation is a core portion of the course.  Attendance is mandatory, but not sufficient. Each class session we will discuss 4-6 related readings on a core topic. This discussion will begin with a summary by a student discussion leader.  For the discussion leaders and the rest of the class it is a good idea to take notes while you read so that you are prepared for this discussion.  After identifying the main points of each article, class members should discuss its strengths, weaknesses, and contributions – and discuss ways in which it may or may not stimulate further research.  Again, student preparation and active contribution will be the key to making this work.  It is not simply the discussion leader’s responsibility to do all the talking.  The class participation portion of your grade will be determined by attendance, the sessions you lead, and your participation in the discussion during sessions you do not lead.

Examinations will have you answer several questions that ask you to synthesize literature in the area, as well as summarize and evaluate some of the key theories/findings of the field.  These exams will also aid in your preparation for the comprehensive examination in demography, if that is your specialization. For the take-home final, your answers must be word-processed. Late examinations will result in a one-letter-grade penalty for each day beyond the due date.

General Statement

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the field of demography.  We cover the basic processes of the field--mortality, fertility, migration, and population distribution, along with several sub-fields. The two main goals of this course are to 1) introduce students to both classic and current literature in the field of social demography, 2) teach students to critically assess the major theories associated with population change.  By the end of the semester, students should also know general trends in global population development and have an appreciation of the inter-related nature of migration, fertility, mortality, and age structure. Note that, for those of you who plan a career in social demography, this course provides only a starting point. Students should keep abreast of developments in the literature by reading the leading journals (Demography, Population and Development Review, Population Studies, Population Bulletin, Population Research and Policy Review, and Demographic Research).

Course Requirements

The course meets once a week (Monday afternoons), and attendance is expected.  I also expect that you will have read the assigned reading for that week and will actively participate in class discussions.  Note that I may slightly change the reading list for some section of the course later.  You will know the required readings no later than a week before the class they will be discussed.

There will be a mid-term exam administered in class on Wednesday March 22 and a take home, cumulative final due at noon on Friday May 14.  Grades are calculated by the following formula: an in class midterm exam - 35 percent; class participation - 30 percent; take-home cumulative final 35 - percent.

Class participation is a core portion of the course.  Attendance is mandatory, but not sufficient. To begin class I will discuss the main questions and themes of the week. After this, the discussion leaders will take over to quickly review the main points of each of the rest of the articles and generate a discussion of each.  For the discussion leaders and the rest of the class it is a good idea to take notes while you read so that you are prepared for this discussion.  After identifying the main points of each article, class members should discuss its strengths, weaknesses, and contributions – and discuss ways in which it may or may not stimulate further research.  Again, student preparation and active contribution will be the key to making this work.  It is not simply the discussion leader’s responsibility to do all the talking.  The class participation portion of your grade will be determined by attendance, the two sessions you lead, and your participation in the discussion during sessions you do not lead.

Examinations will have you answer several questions that ask you to synthesize literature in the area, as well as summarize and evaluate some of the key theories/findings of the field.  These exams will also aid in your preparation for the comprehensive examination in demography, if that is your specialization. For the take-home final, your answers must be word-processed. Late examinations will result in a one-letter-grade penalty for each day beyond the due date.

Notes on UT Policies

Note on Students with Disabilities. The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities.  For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259, 471-6441 TTY. 

Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University.  Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.  For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services website at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs

Course Schedule and Readings are in the attachment.

The Course website is http://courses.utexas.edu

Summary and Goals:
The main purpose of this course is to serve as a practical guide to a launching professional career  in social demography.  We cover issues such as collaboration,  research ethics, publishing, grants, and interviewing for jobs.  The training seminar is held Friday mornings.  For one hour of the course, we are joined by colleagues throughout the University for the Brown Bag Lecture.  On some weeks this lecture will be followed by lunch and an informal meeting with the brownbag speaker.  Students are welcomed to repeat the course. 

Requirements:
For credit, students are required to attend all classes and participate in class discussion.  All absences must be cleared, preferably in advance.  To prepare for class discussion, students will occasionally be required to read an article.  The listed readings are to be completed prior to our meeting.  Additionally, students will have an opportunity to prepare a C.V. and research agenda for comments.  Finally, I recommend everyone to complete the NIH human subjects review certification, although again this is not required.

Credit will be determined as follows:

Consistent attendance and participation are required for credit.