Asia has the world's largest population, and great demographic variation can be found across the region. Changes in the population of Asia have had, and will continue to have, significant implications for global demography and development. This course will explore the main population issues facing Asia, focusing on how fertility, mortality, migration, population ageing, and population health have played a role in shaping the demography of Asia. In each of these areas, we will examine their major characteristics, regional variations, and implications, and explore how each issue has impacted, and will impact, the past and future of Asia.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. apply interdisciplinary knowledge of connected social, demographic, and epidemiological patterns and trends in Asia;
2. demonstrate critical understanding of how relevant data is compiled, processed and analysed;
3. explain the competing theories (demographic, economic, political, social and cultural) of the causes and consequences of population change in Asia; and
4. identify and evaluate the implications of population change for international relations, population health, and environmental sustainability.

Required Resources

Routledge handbook of Asian demography

Hayes, Adrian C., editor.; Zhao, Zhongwei (Professor), editor.; Goodkind, Daniel. 2018.

The textbook is available online through ANU Library--no need to buy it.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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 to the course, basic demographic concepts
2	The development of population study in Asia
3	Fertility in Asia: Past, present, and future
4	Family planning and reproductive health
5	Marriage, partnership, and households	Research questions due
6	The mortality transition in Asia
7	Population aging
8	Population health and health challenges
9	Migration	Research paper first draft due
10	Climate, environment, and population
11	Demographic changes and economic development
12	Student presentations	Presentation, final draft of research paper

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Student Tutorial Participation	10 %	1,2,3,4
Research questions	10 %	1,2,4
Research paper, first draft	10 %	1,2,3,4
Research paper, final draft	50 %	1,2,3,4
Research presentation	20 %	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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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.

Assessment Task 1

Student Tutorial Participation

Students are expected to actively engage in tutorial sessions and discussion forums by actively engaging in discussions. Participation in tutorials will comprise 10% of the final grade.

Students should read the required weekly readings prior to lectures and come to tutorials prepared to make contributions to discussions.

1) Assessment rubric, participation (10%)

Marks will be awarded for active participation in weekly discussion(5%) and posting questions for the weekly discussion (5%).

Word limit: Not applicable

Value: 10%

Est. return date: Not applicable

Assessment Task 2

Research questions

Details of task (10%):

In this assignment, you will identify at least two potential research questions which you could address in your research paper. The assignment will focus on posing questions that are answerable in the space of a semester, identifying why your research questions are important, and identifying the data and methods needed to answer your question. In particular, you will:

1) describe the question, and what you will learn by answering it;

2) describe the significance of the research question, that is, why it is important and what it adds to the literature, and

3) identify data sources and analytical methods that will allow you to answer your question.

Word limit: Maximum of 300 words per question (600 total), less is totally fine.

Please email me or visit my office hours with any questions or concerns. I am also happy to meet just to brainstorm ideas.

Due date: 23rd August

Assessment Task 3

Research paper, first draft

Details of task (10%):

In this assignment, you will submit a first draft of your research paper. The expectation is not that this will comprise a full, completed draft--rather, your are asked to submit your current working draft, where some sections can be dot points or outlines, while others are closer to completion. The paper should have the following 6-part structure: Introduction; Background; Data, measures, and methods; Results; Discussion; and References.

Due date: 27th September

Assessment Task 4

Research paper, final draft

Details of task (50%):

The primary assessment for the course is based on this final research paper. The paper should be based on a guiding question, should use data to generate new evidence, and should present this evidence in line with publication standards at an academic journal. The paper should have the following 6-part structure: Introduction; Background; Data, measures, and methods; Results; Discussion; and References.

Word limit: 3,000-4,000 words, +/- 10% accepted without penalty.

Due date: 18 October

Assessment Task 5

Research presentation

Details of task (20%):

You will give a 15-minute presentation discussing your research paper, its findings, and the implications of your work.

Send me your presentation no later than 9am the day of your presentation.

15 minutes = 15 or fewer slides (roughly 1 minute per slide)

In your presentation, tell us:

• The question you selected, and why it is important.
• Prior evidence on the topic and guiding theories.
• Your data source and chosen methods.
• What you found, focusing on 1-3 key findings.
• The broader implications of your findings.

Due date: Last class of semester.

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

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. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. 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 examinations.

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students