DEVELOPING DEMOGRAPHIC LITERACY AND EVALUATION SKILLS: TECHNIQUE FOR THE INTRODUCTORY DEMOGRAPHY COURSE.

The paper describes several techniques and exercises useful in teaching demography as an analytic discipline. Demographic literacy and data interpretation and evaluation skills are stressed. An introduction to the John Gaunt orientation helps sensitize students to the need for solid demographic data. Having students determine who qualifies as a Mexican-American and having them determine how many illegal aliens exist help build data scrutiny skills. Exercises employing different rates and life tables help to introduce demographic techniques. The County Demographic Profile and the Policy Simulation help integrate knowledge and skills gained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]