The main objective of this course is to become familiar with the relationship between population, natural resources and environment. The students will develop knowledge and abilities in looking for information using databases of different institutions like libraries, internet, public institutions and so on) They will be able to evaluate ecological and social costs and benefits (present and forthcoming). They will analyze the main concepts about human society. They will learn how to identify the relationship among different demographic phenomena in one side and social and economic reality and public policies in the other (causes and consequences of the decline of fertility, the aging of population and the migration processes among others).

The course examines the major theoretical explanations of demographic phenomena and the relationship between demographic trends, economic development, social change and the environment. The course will also cover the major ethical implications of population policies conducted in the past and present centuries: 1. The size and growth of world population and its spatial location 2. History of demographic theories 3. The pessimistic view of population growth 4. Neutral position on population growth 5. The optimistic view of population growth 6. The modern Malthusianism and it ties to environmentalist movements 7. Responses to environmental fears 8. Hunger and Population 9. Origins of the war against the population, eugenics and neo-eugenics 10. U.S. responsibility in global population control 11. Population control policies: China, India, Bangladesh 12. United Nations population control programs 13. Gender violence: female feticide 14. Orientations of the major religions on population and the environment 15. Ethical issues in human reproduction 16. Socio-economic consequences of international migration

The theoretical component is comprised of classes taught by lecturers, which will promote classroom discussion about the interplay between demographic processes and their causes and socioeconomic and cultural consequences (falling fertility, aging, immigration, etc.). The aim of the discussions is that students become aware of these interactions (this corresponds to 2 ECTS). The practical component of the course will be to familiarize students with the main sources of demographic information, including databases and Internet resources, readings and exhibitions, in order to enhance their abilities to conduct independent research. Students will also be trained on the design of tables and charts useful to describe and summarize demographic processes (this corresponds to 2 ECTS). Individual student work that is embodied in the study of the subject, attending tutorials, consulting texts and exams library will correspond to 2 ECTS.