Class Demography

The UC of Demography is a unit integrated in the 1st year of the degree in Social Work and aims to enable students to a global and cross-sectional reading about the problems of the population and the challenges they pose to the intervention of a Social Worker.

Not applicable

1. Introduction to Demography (demography as a science; object of study; main demographic concepts and theories) 2. The main population issues today 3. Demographic sources (main data sources; indicators on the population; difficulties in collecting data and reliability of information); 4. Population structures (definition of the demographic profile, analysis and measurement instruments) 5. Demographic phenomena and dynamics (observation, analysis and measurement. Regional disparities and their impacts) 6. The future of the world population (main challenges; projections; growth estimates; public policies for social protection, poverty and development).

The teaching methodology is oriented towards a student-centered approach, focusing on the development of competencies and aimed at both the conceptual understanding and the practical application of the topics covered. Assessment will be continuous, valuing students’ active participation in the learning process. The following elements will be considered: One written test (covering the theoretical and technical content – Units 1 to 4), accounting for 50% of the final grade. One project assignment (related to Units 5 or 6), representing 40% of the final grade – 25% for the written report and 25% for the oral presentation. The project is to be developed in groups of 4 to 5 students. Continuous assessment requires a minimum attendance of 70% of classes. To pass the course, students must achieve a weighted average grade of 10 or higher (on a 0–20 scale). If the final average is below this threshold, students may take a resit exam.

Bandeira, M. L.; Pintassilgo, S.C (2018). Introdução à Demografia - trabalhos práticos. Escolar Editora. Castro, Eduardo; Martins, José; Silva, Carlos (2015). A Demografia e o país, Lisboa, Ed. Gradiva. Cabodeira, Fernando Pereira (2020). Demografia - É Tempo...de Dar Mais Tempo à Natalidade e aos Fluxos Migratórios. Afrontamento. EU (2023). The Impact of Demographic change in a changing environment. Publications Office of the European Union. Marques, Teresa et al. (2016). “Nascer é envelhecer: uma perspetiva demográfica evolutiva e territorial na construção do futuro de Portugal” in GOT – Revista de Geografia e Ordenamento do Território, nº10, pp. 207-231 Peixoto, João; Craveiro, Daniela; Malheiros, Jorge & Oliveira, Isabel Tiago de (Org.) (2017). Introdução ao estudo – Migrações e sustentabilidade demográfica: perspetivas de evolução da sociedade e economia portuguesas. Ed. FFMS.