Population issues have long commanded the attention of government officials
and researchers in South America. During colonial times the numbers of Native
Americans, of Africans, and of Europeans changed dramatically, both in absolute
and in percentage terms. In the 19th and 20th centuries rates of natural increase
and, more selectively, of net migration contributed to the continent's population
boom. The places people lived--rural or urban, coast or interior--and the
circumstances under which they lived--in poverty or plenty--also changed.
Now your attention will be focused on some of these same issues.
For Tuesday, April 25th, you'll prepare a two-page summary essay and a two-minute
oral report. Both will show what you've discovered and documented about a specific
South American country and one or more related population issues. The summary essay
will be typed with double spacing and standard margins and will include specific
reference to at least two data sources other than class lectures and handouts.
The oral presentation will highlight general findings (one minute) and a specific
pattern or example of geographic interest (one minute). Please illustrate your oral
report with at one appropriate transparency--a map or chart showing an important or
interesting geographic pattern.
To insure coverage of as much of South America as possible I'll limit the number of
students who may report on any one country. Given the relative paucity of good
information about the Guianas, for example, I'll anticipate no more than three
reports total on those three small countries. Brazil and Argentina, on the other
hand, provide ample material for several reports each.
After selecting a country from the list circulating in class, consider topics about
which you may wish to do some research:
natural increase--birth, death, fertility rates, changes over time;
international migration--immigrants and emigrants; groups and changes;
internal migration--rural to urban; coast to interior; changes;
population pyramids--age, gender cohorts and changes over time;
population density--crude density, physiological density, urban centers
socioeconomic patterns--poverty & wealth, illiteracy & literacy; changes;
workforce issues--un(der)employment; job sectors; gender roles; dependency;
racial and ethnic patterns--classifications, numbers and percents; changes;
health issues, morbidity, and mortality--medical services, causes of death;
cultural patterns--linguistic and religious communities; changes over time.
If you select a country that others are also investigating, I'll ask you to meet
briefly with them to sort out the topics that each person will pursue.
To begin research, visit the following Internet sites:
the Population Reference Bureau site with its links to
Articles, Datasheets, Reports on Latin America;
the United Nations Statistics Division including links to
country-by-country Statistical Databases;
the U.S. Census Bureau's International Data Base;
the Inter-American Development Bank and its linked resources such as
Demographics and Household Economics Publications;
the Organization of American States may also have useful information.
For specific countries see the Links page for this class:
scroll down the page to "Population" or other sub-sections.
GEOGRAPHY 122B: Syllabus Schedule Links
This page was updated 04-02-2006
