Unit 8 SEMINAR

FINAL PROJECT INFOThroughout this class you have examined

social issues from various sociological models and perspectives and have learned how the social problems we face in the 21st century are made, not found.

In this project you will choose one social problem to explain in depth.

Part I: Begin your final paper with a discussion of the social problem you have chosen and explain why you have chosen this particular social problem.

FINAL PROJECT INFOPart II: Choose two of the three sociological

perspectives discussed in your text. Discuss how these two perspectives would view the social problem you are discussing. For example, if you chose teenage pregnancy, you might summarize how the conflict theory and the interactionist perspective help explain this social problem of teenage pregnancy.

Part III: Conclude your project with two ideas that can be implemented by human services professionals that would help to eliminate or at least lessen the effects of your social problem.

FINAL PROJECT INFOYour project should be between 800 and

1000 words, double spaced, not including your title and reference page.

While no points will be deducted if APA formatting is incorrect, points can be deducted if there is no attempt to cite references.

Please use the Research, Citation, and Plagiarism document found in Doc Sharing to help you with formatting your project.

Project is due by midnight on Tuesday, May 3rd.

Chapter 12Population Growth and Urbanization

World Population Growth

Figure 14.1 - How Fast is the World’s Population Growing?. Page 374

By the end of this seminar, the world population will have grown by approximately 9,043 people!

Elements of Demographic Change

Fertility refers to the actual number of children born

Mortality refers to the number of deaths that occur in a particular population

Migration refers to the permanent change of residence

can be immigration or emigration

Population Growth

Growth Rate=Births - Deaths + Net

Migration

Zero Population Growth is when the birth

rate = the death rate + net migration.

(2000 babies born, 1900 people died,

300 people left, 200 people came in)

The Demographic TransitionThe demographic transition is the changing patterns of birth and death rates brought about by industrialization.

Four Stages of the Demographic Transition

Postindustrial StageLow Birth Rates

and Low Death Rates

Industrial StageDeclining Death Rates and

Declining Birth Rates

Early Industrial StageHigh Birth Rates and Declining Death Rates

Preindustrial StageHigh Birth Rates and

High Death Rates

Industrialization and population growth

The populations of the Least Industrialized Nations are growing at sixteen times the rate of the Most Industrialized Nations.

At these rates, the population of the average Most Industrialized Nation will double in 583 years.

The population of the average Least Industrialized Nation will do so in just 40 years.Figure 14.5 - World Population Growth, 1750-2150. Page 378

Consequences of World Population Growth

Crowding

Food Shortages

Depletion of Resources

IntergroupConflict

Consequences of World Population Growth

Has population growth had adverse consequences for people?

Has it had any positive consequences for people?

Whether or not the carrying capacity of the earth has been reached is still controversial, but some of the consequences of coming closer to carrying capacity can be seen.

The Growth of CitiesAll humans organize their lives into

communities.Urbanization

Today 79% of all people in the U.S. live in urban areas, whereas 200 years ago only 5% lived in urban areas.

SuburbanizationEconomic and technological developments and government policy have led to the relatively recent development of suburbs.

Figure 14.10 - How Urban Is Your State? Page 381

Advantages of City Life Urban Sentiment: Finding a Familiar World

City Divided into Little Worlds Sense of Belonging People Create Intimacy by Personalizing

(shopping or eating in same places

frequently – becoming “regulars”) Spectator Sports Provide Venue

Problems in Cities in the U.S.

Economic declineHousing

SegregationCrime

Educational problems

Future Prospects: Population ProblemsPopulation Problems

The future of population problems will depend on the ability to control fertility.

The major issues in reducing fertility are family planning, economic development, incentives and the status of women.

Urban ProblemsGovernmental programs have included urban

renewal and community block grants. Private investment has focused on

developing cities as better places to live, and establishing “urban free-enterprise zones.”

DiscussionWhen you visited the Worldometers site,

what was most surprising to you? Considering where you grew up, what

issues related to population growth did you encounter?

Based on your life today, what issues related to population growth do you encounter?

How can human services professionals influence the effects of population growth in the 21st century?