Syllabus of our course "Biodemography of Human Mortality …

University of Chicago

Syllabus

Sociology 219/319 Biodemography of Human Mortality and Longevity

Spring 2001 Wednesday, 3:00-5:50 Cobb Lecture Hall, 5811-27 S. Ellis Ave. Room 214

Dr. Leonid A. Gavrilov, Ph.D. (concepts and theories in biodemography) Dr. Natalia S. Gavrilova, Ph.D. (methods of data analysis in biodemography) Center on Aging, NORC, 1155 East 60th Street, Room 382 Telephone: 256-6359 E-mail: gavrilov@aol.com Website: http://longevity-science.org/

Course Description: This course is a broad overview of biodemographic ideas, models, methods, and findings regarding human aging, mortality, and longevity. Topics include the construction and analysis of life tables, mortality laws, gender differences in life span, the limits to human longevity, mathematical theories of human aging and mortality, genetics and evolution of human life span, similarities and differences between human and animal mortality patterns. The course is intended to provide students with general understanding of the driving forces behind mortality trends and differences.

Textbook: The course largely follows the following book:

Gavrilov L.A., Gavrilova N.S. The Biology of Life Span: A Quantitative Approach, NY: Harwood Academic Publisher, 1991, 385p. http://catalog.gbhap-us.com/fc3/catalog?/books/TITL_PBPUBREC_0001583 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/3718649837/ Selected chapters will be assigned each week. The text of updated chapters of the book will be disseminated prior to each lecture.

Additional reading on biodemography includes:

1. Biodemographic Perspectives on Human Longevity. Population, Special Issue. 2001, vol.13-1. http://www.ined.fr/englishversion/publications/population/englishselection/

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Syllabus of our course "Biodemography of Human Mortality ...