SDG Detail

EVST 205 The Human Population Explosion

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Project description

The world adds a billion people every twelve years. The increasing human environmental footprint overwhelms efforts at conservation and remediation. Whether one is concerned about the environment or human poverty, health and well-being, the continuing population explosion looms as a dominant factor. The nexus of deep poverty and increasing population derails many efforts at human economic development. The introduction of family planning around the world and the fall in global fertility that it has allowed is one of the great revolutions in human history. This survey course introduces the biological, historical, economic, and cultural factors that determine human population growth. Starting with an evolutionary background, we trace the historical stages of population growth and how cultures have maintained reproduction at a sustainable rate and how the modern decline of mortality led to the population explosion. We probe the effects of large and high-consuming populations and efforts to re-stabilize population. Topics include the political, religious, and ethical issues surrounding fertility: infanticide, abortion, contraception, son preference, government coercion, migration, and the status of women. Many topics are highly controversial and students are encouraged to present a diverse set of views. Course is suitable for students intending to major in any subject.