Population

Michael ItagakiSociology 101, Introduction to

Sociology

Population

Demography Studies the size, composition, growth

and distribution of human populations Relationship between population

and the environment

Population

Thomas Malthus (1798) An Essay on the Principle of

Population Population grows exponentially

2 to 4 to 8 to 16… = 2x

Food supply increases arithmetically1 to 2 to 3 to 4… = x+1

Population Thomas Malthus (1798)

Exponential growth: Penny example 1 day, 1 cent; 2 days, 2 cents; 3

days, 4 cents One week = $ 1.28 Two weeks = $ 163.84 Three weeks = $ 20,971.52 Four weeks = $2,684,354.56

Population

New Malthusians Exponential population growth

curve

Figure 13.1 (p. 424)World Population: The Exponential Growth CurveSources: Piotrow 1973: 4; Haub 1995, 2004.

Population

New Malthusians Exponential population growth curve Population will outgrow food supply

Anti-Malthusians Exponential population growth curve

is wrong People adapt to the environment

Population

Anti-Malthusians Rational planning for having

children Increased food production

Technology/Agriculture Ex.: Europe’s demographic

transition

Figure 13.3 (p. 426)The Demographic TransitionSource: By the author.

Figure 13.1 (p. 424)World Population: The Exponential Growth CurveSources: Piotrow 1973: 4; Haub 1995, 2004.

Population

Anti-Malthusians Growth is slowing down Demographic transition for

rest of world

Theoretical Views on Population Growth

New-Malthusians Population growth = not enough

food Solution: limit population

Anti-Malthusians More food available now than ever Solution: Redistribution of food

(political barriers)

Symbolic Interactionism

Why do the poor want so many children? Asset to the family Taking the role of the other

Figure 13.6 (p. 432)Why the Poor in the Least Industrialized Nations Want Many ChildrenBased on a survey in Indonesia, this figure shows how children are economic assets in the Least Industrialized Nations. Boys and girls can be net income earners for their families by the age of 9 or 10.Source: U.N. Fund for Population Activities.

Functionalism War, famine, disease are

functional to society Latent dysfunctions

Modern medicine Public health practices

Figure 13.3 (p. 426)The Demographic TransitionSource: By the author.

Figure 13.7 (p. 433)Population Pyramids of Mexico and the United StatesSource: By the author. Computed from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, International Data Base, Table 94.

Finals Week reminders

Final exam Thursday, May 24, 1 p.m, Room

127 No makeups

Everyone must take final to pass Extra Credit due Tuesday, May

15

Social Change A shift in the characteristics of

culture and society Hunt/gather Horticultural Plow Agricultural societies Steam engine Industrial

Revolution Microchip

Post-industrial/Information

Social Change: The Environment

Michael ItagakiSociology 101, Introduction to

Sociology

The Environment: Global Warming/Climate Change

“An Inconvenient Truth” Rising carbon dioxide levels Correspond with rising

temperatures Ramifications?

Water: stronger storms/drought Artic/Greenland: sea level Climate: ecological niches

The Environment: Global Warming

“An Inconvenient Truth” Handout: 10 things to do We have technology/resources

toreduce our CO2 output and

thusslow global warming

process.

The Environment: Global Warming

“An Inconvenient Truth” What was a

surprising/shockingfact in the film?

What can we do?

The Environment: Global Warming

“An Inconvenient Truth” Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change Increase in temperatures caused by

greenhouse gases Temperature and sea levels will rise

regardless Sea levels will likely rise 7”-23”

The Environment: Global Warming

“An Inconvenient Truth” Caveats to consider

CO2 influence temperature? Temperature influence CO2 ? Both

The Environment: Global Warming

“An Inconvenient Truth” So what do you want to do? Informed decisions Do you believe you can make a

difference?