This document contains all the information in UNISA Study Guide for SOC 1502. All the important information is in this document. Each topic is in a different colour and each topic also has its own Table of Contents to make it much easier to find information.
Table of Contents
Evolution of human beings ........................................................................................................ 1
Precolonial history of SA ............................................................................................................ 2
Evolution of human beings
Not easy – tell story:
Idea abused → groups
Clashes literal interpretation of “God”
Common misunderstandings:
Humans & primates share common ancestry Africa
Fossils F IGURE 1LUCY
Knowledge of human evolution = based discoveries of bones preserved for thousands of
years.
Escaped decay (small empty spaces bone became occupied → minerals from ground
water after buried → layers of soil.
All share some human characteristics (hominims).
Geneticists studying biological inheritance of traits’ story similar – one told → fossils.
All early human fossils found eastern & southern Africa (evolved here 1st).
Strc of teeth what ate
Size & shape brain Brain capacity
Dating techniques How old fossils
Homo Erectus F IGURE 2TAUNG CHILD
1st hominims – migrate out Africa.
Sophisticated tool users.
Use of symbols
70 000 years ago
Engravings on ochre only made → people manipulate symbols.
Traces Neanderthal DNA suggest small amount interbreeding modern humans & some
early human species.
1
,Genetics
Genes = biological inheritance of child, characteristics (hair colour, facial features) = passed
on from parents & grandparents – children.
Scientists social environment of child/child’s genetic inheritance from ancestors = most NB
– determine how child turn out later.
Nurture = centre of nature, plays role influencing how genetics impact child.
Genes NB – determine how turn out as adults.
Precolonial history of SA
Black African farmers do metal working (mine & melt iron, copper & gold).
Provided metal tools – cultivate land & weapons – defend themselves.
Gold & copper used as luxury items.
Pottery & farming = more activities.
Knowledge of what happened = result of studies of remains of early settlements →
archaeologists.
Black Africans lived patrilineal & patrilocal societies.
Decent traced male line & women lived with husband’s family when got
married.
Cattle exchanged families as part of marriage.
Age NB distinguishing factor societies.
Younger men dependent older men – negotiate & pay bride wealth.
New wife special duties – mother-in-law & senior wife polygamous
marriages.
Chiefs & kings had great wealth i.t.o. cattle holdings (redistributive
mechanisms catered for less wealthy).
Eastern seaboard of SA very dangerous for ships due – combination of
topography & climate.
2
,Demographic & socioeconomic
indicators
Learning Unit 2 p.16
Table of Contents
2011 Census ............................................................................................. 1
Concepts demography ............................................................................... 1
Puzzles arising form 2011 census: Age distribution of young children .......................... 2
Puzzles arising from 2011 census: increased size of 20 – 29 years cohort 2011 ............. 3
Mortality rates SA .................................................................................... 3
Migration SA .......................................................................................... 3
Levels of education of SA population ................................................................ 3
Rates of unemployment SA ......................................................................... 4
2011 Census
Statistics SA (Stats SA) = Official body collecting info about SA population.
Census every 10 years with intent – count & acquire info about every person resident in
country on particular day.
Population growing rapidly as past due – declining fertility & increased mortality form
HIV & AIDS epidemic.
Not accurate:
counted live security estates (difficult – access).
truthfully answering questions (income)
Undercount = Difference estimated no. & actual no. people counted.
Concepts demography
Concept Definition
Fertility Average no. children born – each
woman population.
Only woman fertility years (15 – 49).
No. measurements of fertility, most
common = TFR (total fertility rate).
Mortality Indication average no. deaths
population.
2 age groups = risk: elderly & very
young.
Migration Permanent change of residence of
person/household.
1
, Demographers only become aware
when person moves over admin
boundary.
Puzzles arising form 2011 census: Age distribution of young
children
Extent of undercount indicates quality issues 2011 census.
3 population/age pyramids of SA population.
FIGURE 2: POPULATION PYRAMID , FIGURE 1: POPULATION PYRAMID ,
CENSUS 1996 CENSUS 2011
FIGURE 3: POPULATION PYRAMID ,
CENSUS 2011
2
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