Prof Timothy Dyson

This course is available on the MPA in International Development, MSc in China in Comparative Perspective, MSc in Development Management, MSc in Development Studies, MSc in Environment and Development, MSc in Health, Population and Society, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies, MSc in Political Economy of Late Development, MSc in Population and Development, MSc in Social Research Methods, MSc in Urban Policy (LSE and Sciences Po) and MSc in Urbanisation and Development. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

Please note that in case of over-subscription to this course priority will be given to students undertaking the MSc in Population and Development and students from the Department of International Development and its joint degrees (where their regulations permit).

Using the demographic transition as its framework, the course examines different analytic approaches to the main interrelationships between population change and socio-economic development. It draws on a variety of theoretical and historical experiences to address and explore these interconnections. It aims to provide balance between theoretical understanding, knowledge of empirical evidence and basic causal processes, and implications for policy.

The course begins by providing an overview of the worlds current demographic situation at both the global and the regional levels. It then addresses Malthusian and anti-Malthusian perspectives on the basic relationships linking population growth and economic growth. These contrasting perspectives are considered in the context of both historical and contemporary experience. The course then proceeds to assess demographic transition theories and their relationships to theories and processes of economic development, urbanisation and socio-structural change. Urban growth, migration, and urbanization receive special attention. The implications of population change for issues of employment, savings and investment are considered, as are issues relating to energy, food production and security, carbon emissions and climate change. Contemporary neo-Malthusian arguments, with their environmental components are also considered, as are issues relating to women's empowerment, democratization  and population aging. Further details will be provided at the start of the session.

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour and 30 minutes of lectures in the ST.

Students will be given the opportunity to undertake a 'mock examination' essay. This will be graded and accompanied by written feedback within two weeks of its submission.

A detailed reading list will be provided. However, relevant readings include: T Dyson Population and Development - The Demographic Transition, Zed Books 2010; T Dyson 'A partial theory of world development: The neglected role of the demographic transition in shaping modern society' in International Journal of Population Geography, 7, 2001; N. Birdsall, A C Kelley and S Sinding (eds) Population Matters: Demographic change, Economic Growth, and Poverty in the Developing World, Oxford University Press 2001; M Livi-Bacci A Concise History of World Population, Blackwell Publishers, Oxford 2001; T Dyson, Population and Food: Global Trends and Future Prospects, Routledge, 1996; R H Cassen (Ed), Population and Development: Old Debates, New Conclusions, Overseas Development Council, Washington DC, 1994; World Bank, Population Change and Economic Development, Washington DC, 1985.

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.