EOS 704 Spatial Analysis and Modeling of Population

GGS 704 Spatial Analysis and Modeling of Population
Spring 2011, R 4:30 – 7:10 pm, Rm RB 108
Instructor: David Wong
703-993-9260, [email protected], Rm. 330 Research I
Office Hours: Thursdays, 5:30 – 6:30 pm or by appt
Course Website: http://courses.gmu.edu
Study of population is important because all issues or problems on earth are somehow related to
human. People are not distributed evenly across the earth surface and people in different places
are different. This course will review demographic concepts, provide students an understanding
of the spatial aspects of population, and discuss various spatial analytical techniques and spatial
models to study population. Some of these techniques are indices or measures to quantify
different characteristics of the population, such as accessibility index or segregation measures.
Some techniques focus on modeling population changes (such as Markov chain) and population
spatial dynamics (such as spatial interaction models). Exposure to and developing a
comprehension of these spatial techniques will allow students to analyze population
issues/problems. Both descriptive and analytical techniques will be covered. ??The use of
computational tools and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are expected?? The primary
objective is to provide students a solid background to understand population issues in general,
and an exposure to the spatial dimension in analyzing population issues.
Outcome: After finishing this course, students will not become an expert in population or spatial
demography, but are expected to have a general appreciation of global and local population
issues. The students are also expected to be familiar with major population theories, models, and
methods, spatial and aspatial, in analyzing population, and sources of population data. Therefore,
students will be evaluated by how much they know about these aspects and how well they can
apply the knowledge acquired to analyze and interpret data/situations.
Text: Weeks, J. R. (2008, 10th ed.) Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues.
Wadsworth. (11th ed. is fine)
Major References:
Clark, W. A. V. (1986) Human Migration. Sage Publications.
Newbold, K. B. (2010) Population Geography: Tools and Issues. Rowman & Littlefield.
Peters, G. L. and R. P. Larkin (2005) Population Geography: Problems, Concepts, and
Prospects (8th ed). Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.
Plane, D. A. and R. A. Rogerson (1994) The Geographical Analysis of Population with
Applications to Planning and Business. Wiley & Sons. (PR)
Rogers, A. (1985) Regional Population Projection Models. Sage Publications.
Evaluation Criteria:
Required:
Mid-term
20
Final
30
Optional (choose all or some of these below):
3 exercises
30
Term Paper or Project 40
Presentation
20
Total points based upon the selection will be prorated to 100 points as the final course score.
Distribution of the total final scores will be used to determine the final grades. Percentages of
students receiving the corresponding grades are approximately: 25-50% (A), 50 – 75% (B), ??%
(C and others)
* All materials submitted to meet the evaluation criteria should be done in accordance with the
student Honor Code (University Catalog). Also no “double dipping” of term paper/project is
allowed unless permission is secured. See the class website for detailed information.
Incomplete will be handled strictly according to the University policy. Make-up exams are not
given unless under unusual circumstances such as serious illness. Proof (documentation) is
necessary to be eligible for make-up exams. No early exams will be given. Final exam: 5/12,
4:30pm
Academic Integrity (from the Provost Office)
Mason is an Honor Code university; please see the University Catalog for a full description of
the code and the honor committee process. The principle of academic integrity is taken very
seriously and violations are treated gravely. What does academic integrity mean in this course?
Essentially this: when you are responsible for a task, you will perform that task. When you rely
on someone else’s work in an aspect of the performance of that task, you will give full credit in
the proper, accepted form. Another aspect of academic integrity is the free play of ideas.
Vigorous discussion and debate are encouraged in this course, with the firm expectation that all
aspects of the class will be conducted with civility and respect for differing ideas, perspectives,
and traditions. When in doubt (of any kind) please ask for guidance and clarification.
No class:
March 15 & 17: Spring Break
April 14: AAG at Seattle
Make-up: May 10
Major Topics and Tentative Schedule:
2/4 – 2/11: (1) Introduction (Ch. 1)
What is Human Geography? Systematic Geography? Population Geography?
Population Geography vs. Demography vs. Population Statistics
Importance of Population Geography/Demography
Population and Environment (Ch. 11)
2/11 – 2/18: (2) Global Population: through space and time (Ch. 2)
Current population distribution
Historical growth
Modeling population growth
2/25: (3) Demographic Theories (Ch. 3)
Theories of population growth
(Ex. 1 Modeling growth and global population pattern)
3/3: (4) Data Sources, Internet Resources, Census Geography (Ch. 4)
International
United States
Census and Census Geography (US)
SFs, PUMS, and American Community Survey
GIS
3/10: Mid-term
3/17: Spring Break – no class
3/24 – 4/7: (5) Demographic Characteristics
Age, Sex and Race/Ethnicity (Ch. 8, 10)
Mortality (Ch. 5)
Fertility (Ch. 6)
(Ex.2 Analysis of demographic characteristics)
4/7 – 4/21: (6) Spatial Distribution of Population
Urban Geography (Ch. 9)
Measures of Population Distribution
Segregation and Integration
Location Quotient
(Ex. 3 Spatial Analysis of Population)
4/14: AAG in Seattle - no class
4/21 – 5/5: (7) Dynamics of Population: Mobility/Migration (Ch. 7; Newbold: Ch. 6-8)
Theories of migration
Internal migration
International migration
Residential mobility
5/10 – Presentations?