IB 100 and 101 Population Assignment for Discussion (Feb. 4-6) and Lab Classes (Feb. 9-10), 2009

During your first discussion or lab class you will be assigned a major area of the world (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, or Asia).

Select a country within the area of the world you are assigned. (Each person in your group should select a different country.)

Use the web resources provided below to conduct research concerning the population growth of the country or region you have chosen. See the assignment guidelines below.

By 8:00 AM Tuesday, February 3 post a message in your discussion or lab TA's Moodle forum that includes a working link to at least one of the web sources you intend to use in the population lab or discussion. See the Moodle Practice Posting web page for directions.

Bring your population information to the third discussion (Feb. 4-6) or lab class (Feb. 9-10) and be prepared to share your findings with your classmates in a small group discussion. The participants in each small group will prepare and participate in a group presentation to the rest of your discussion or lab section.

This assignment will form the basis for your First Moodle Assignment, due in your TA's Moodle Forum by 8:00 AM Thursday February 12.

Assignment Guidelines for Discussion (Feb. 4-6) and Lab (Feb. 9-10):

Find the folowing Information concerning population growth for your country.

• Current Population Statistics
• Birth Rate
• Death Rate
• Population Growth Rate
• Social, Ethnic, and Cultural background information describing the demographics of the population including population information for diffferent groups.
• Problems associated with attempts to control population growth
• Gender associated issues in the country including population data broken down by gender.
• Density dependent variables common to the country (famine, disease, etc.) and their affect on population growth
• Density independent variables common to the country (earthquakes, floods, etc.) and their affect on population growth
• Is the country at, near, or above its carrying capacity?
• Projections for future population growth or changes in population growth.

Population Web Resources

Gateways to regional population data sites

• Population Reference Bureau Country Statistics and Reports
  http://www.prb.org/?Section=Data_by_Country&Template=/customsource/countryprofile/countryprofile.cfm/
• UN Global Statistics
  http://www.un.org/Depts/unsd/global.htm
• UN World Population Estimates and Projections Links to population projections
  http://www.un.org/popin/
• The World Factbook from the CIA
  http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
• Population Reference Bureau, Search Population and Health Data Global and Country statristics and projections
  http://www.prb.org/datafind/datafinder.htm
• Population Issues from Population International
  http://www.populationaction.org/
• UN Women Watch
  http://www.un.org/womenwatch/
• Population and Development, UN
  http://www.un.org/esa/population/
• Earth Trends - See the "Population, Health, aned Human Well-Being" link
  http://earthtrends.wri.org/

World Population Data Sites

• World Population growth Rate, US Census Graph
  http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/img/worldgr.gif
• Annual World Population Change, US Census Graph
  http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/img/worldpch.gif
• Historical Estimates of World Population, US Census Table
  http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/worldhis.html
• Population Reference Bureau
  http://www.prb.org