Demography : The Science of Population

Contents: I. An overview of population science: 1. The nature of populations. 2. Demographic variables: size, structure, and vital events. 3. How populations are structured. 4. Geographic distribution: population and territory. II. Population dynamics: vital events and growth: 5. Birth and fertility: measures, theories, and trends. 6. Mortality: causes and consequences. 7. Migration: geographic and social psychological components. 8. Population dynamics in historical and comparative perspective. III. Population models: 9. The life table: an introduction. 10. Population estimates, projections, and forecasts. IV. Demography in application: 11. Population policy: controlling demographic processes. 12. Population and environment. 13. Accessing and using information about population science. 14. Demography as an applied science. Appendix: Web resources discussed in chapter. Glossary. References. Index.

This comprehensive introductory text takes an applied, interdisciplinary approach. Because on author is a sociologist and the other a demographer, the material introduces perspectives from many different disciplines. The most applied book on the market, this text teaches students how to use the multitude of demographic resources available to them as consumers of data. Using case studies throughout to illustrate key concepts in a realistic and concrete manner, the authors also draw examples from recent U.S. census data, United Nations and World Bank reports, tables from the National Center for Health Statistics, and other U.S. state-and country-level sources. (jacket)