(Elective Course)
The “Population Dynamics and Development Challenges” course is a BBA program offered at colleges affiliated with Pokhara University, aimed at providing students with an in-depth understanding of how demographic changes affect development in Nepal. This course examines critical aspects such as population growth, migration trends, urbanization, and their implications for economic and social development. The syllabus is thoughtfully designed to cover a range of topics, equipping students with the analytical skills necessary to assess the challenges and opportunities presented by population dynamics. By engaging with these themes, students will be better prepared to contribute to effective policymaking and strategic planning in addressing the multifaceted development challenges facing Nepal today.
The “Population Dynamics and Development Challenges” course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of significant trends in Nepalese population changes, focusing on youth, ageing, health, and disability. By enhancing their analytical skills, students will be prepared to evaluate and address the challenges these dynamics present for key stakeholders through effective policies and practices.
Table of Contents
Course Objectives
The purpose of this course is to review major trends in Nepalese population changes and how these changes can be addressed (policy, strategy and practice) including issues and challenges to implementation, effectiveness and impact, and implications for key stakeholders. Particular emphasis is placed on population changes and needs to be related to youth, ageing, health and disability.
Course description
This course examines the key relationships between population, natural resources and development in Nepal. The justification is that, Nepal is not only the poorest country with little development but also has the higher rate of population growth which militate against development efforts. This course attempts to discuss problems related to population and development in Nepal, and what Nepal should do to achieve sustainable development.
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand the concept of population
- Describe major trends in Nepal’s population changes;
- Identify important factors of population dynamics – fertility, mortality and migration and their general impact on social development.
- Discuss various policies related to population dynamics and natural resource management for sustainable development;
- Discuss the linkage between population dynamics and development challenges;
- Explain the social, economic and environmental implications of population changes and implications for people-centric and sustainable development;
Course Contents
The following themes or topics are included:
- Population dynamics – population size, density and growth, population changes, population ageing, current status, problems, and prospects in Nepal;
- Challenges of changing population and age distributions;
- Linkage between population dynamics and development challenges;
- Migration, urbanization and development;
- Gender equality and the empowerment of women;
- Demographic effects of changing women’s roles (such as on the labor force participation);
- The effect of demographic characteristics on poverty and development activities in Nepal – capital swallowing, age dependent effects, investment diversion effects, and environmental concerns;
- Concern on population growth versus food, energy and resources;
- Population pressure on natural resources and possible solutions;
- Possible effects of demographic changes on businesses, marketing and socio-economic development;
- Achieving sustainable development and ensuring environmental sustainability
- Social security system in Nepal;
- Effects of legal and illegal out migration to foreign countries;
- Population related policies and programs in Nepal.
References
- Birdsall, N., Kelley, A. C. and Sinding, S. W. Population Matters: Demographic Change, Economic Growth, and Poverty in the Developing World. Oxford University Press, New Delhi.
- Weeks, J. Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Wordsworth Learning. Singapore.
- Bhasin, K. Understanding Gender, Kali for Women Publishers, New Delhi.
- Kawadia, G. and Ahuja, K. Environmental Issues of Development.Ambala: Associated Publishers.
- United Nations. Population Challenges and Development Goals. UNO.
- K. C., Bal K. Population and Development in Nepal. Central Department of Population Studies, TU.
- CBS. Population Census of Nepal and Other Related Publications.