The course covers the theoretical models and tools to examine the growth, age-sex structure and spatial distribution of populations. Also covered are the concepts and measures used to describe and compare levels and age patterns in demographic processes, including marriage, fertility, mortality and migration. Topics may include the sources of demographic data, the assessment of data quality, standardisation methods, demographic accounting, population pyramids, the Lexis diagram, cohort measures, life tables, and decomposition methods. The course focuses on understanding demographic concepts and measures, their application to data, and demographic interpretation.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. calculate measures to analyse population growth and structure;
2. calculate measures to analyse the demographic processes of marriage, fertility, mortality, and migration;
3. locate appropriate demographic data, and judge their quality; and
4. produce, interpret, and evaluate demographic reports.

Required Resources

Preston, S.H., Heuveline, P. and Guillot, M. (2001) Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. Oxford: Blackwell.

Recommended Resources

Rowland DT (2003) Demographic methods and concepts. Oxford University Press, Oxford. [CHIFLEY HB849.4 R685 2003]

Carmichael G (2016) Fundamentals of Demographic Analysis: Concepts, Measures, and Methods. New York: Springer.

An early version of this text is available as Carmichael G (2001) An Introduction to Demographic Analysis. The Australian National University, Canberra. Available on the course website.

Hinde A (1998) Demographic methods. Arnold, London. [CHIFLEY HB849.4 H56 1998]

Newell C (1988) Methods and models in demography. The Guilford Press, New York.

Palmore JA and Gardner RW (1994) Measuring mortality, fertility, and natural increase: A self-teaching guide to elementary measures. East-West Center, Honolulu. [CHIFLEY HB849.4 P34 1994]

Siegel JS and Swanson DA, Eds. (2004) The methods and materials of demography, 2^nd Edition. Elsevier Academic Press, Amsterdam. [PRINT REPOSITORY large book HB881.S526 2004]

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Immediate results and correct answers to quizzes.
• Written comments on assignments
• Class and individual feedback during all computer-based learning activities in class and on take-home exercises
• Class feedback via verbal comments

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction, demographic rates, person years Preparatory Reading Preston, Heuveline, and Guillot (2001). Chapter 1, Sec. 1.1-1.5 Supplementary Reading Hauser PM and Duncan OD, Eds. (1959) The Study of Population: An Inventory and Appraisal. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Xie Y (2000) Demography: Past present, and future. Journal of the American Statistical Association 95(450): 670-673.
2	Growth rates, age-specific rates and probabilities
3	Age standardization and decomposition, Lexis diagrams
4	The life table and single decrement processes	List of potential topics due
5	Applications and interpretations of the life table, decomposition
6	Extensions of the life table
7	Fertility concepts and measures	Data assignment due
8	Family demography
9	Migration and spatial distribution
10	Population projection	First draft of research essay due
11	Stable population model
12	Introduction to R for demographic analysis	Final draft of research essay due

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
List of potential topics due	10 %	17/03/2022	24/03/2022	1, 2, 3, 4
Data assignment	10 %	21/04/2022	28/04/2022	1, 2, 3, 4
First draft of research essay	0 %	12/05/2022	19/05/2022	1, 2, 3, 4
Final research essay	80 %	26/05/2022	30/06/2022	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is not assessable, but quizzes will be held regularly to assist student learning.

Assessment Task 1

List of potential topics due

Together with their supervisor, student should put together a set of 2-5 potential topics for their research paper, along with a brief description of the motivation for the topic and sources of data.

Word limit: 1000 words maximum

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 2

Data assignment

Together with their supervisor, student will write a brief description of their data, conduct some preliminary analyses, and describe any potential issues with data quality.

Word limit: 1000 words maximum

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 3

First draft of research essay

A first draft of the research essay is due for ungraded feedback. This draft should include all sections of the research essay (introduction, data, methods, results, discussion), although outlines are acceptable for a few sections.

Assessment Task 4

Final research essay

A research essay conducting a demographic analysis. This should have the structure of a publishable journal article, and contain an analysis using some of the demographic techniques taught in the course.

Value: 80%

Word limit: 50000 words maximum

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Assignments are submitted via the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examination or weekly quizzes.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will be returned with electronic comments.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not allowed

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students