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, demographic accounting, population pyramids, the Lexis diagram, cohort measures, life tables, and population projections. 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:
- calculate measures to analyse population growth and structure;
- calculate measures to analyse the demographic processes of marriage, fertility, mortality, and migration;
- locate appropriate demographic data; and
- produce, interpret, and evaluate demographic results.
Indicative Assessment
- Class participation (20) [LO 1,2]
- Assignment: report (15) [LO 1,3,4]
- Assignment: video (15) [LO 2,3,4]
- Examinations x 2 (of 3 hours, held during the formal examination period, 25% each for a total of 50%) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 24 hours of lectures and computer lab activities, and 12 hours of directed online learning activities; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, R-coding, problem solving, reading, and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Preston, SH, Heuveline, P, and Guillot, M. (2001). Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.
Additionally we will be using the online material available for free at the IUSSP webpage: Population Analysis for Policies & Programmes (http://papp.iussp.org/index.html)
Assumed Knowledge
Students are strongly encouraged to use a personal computing device (i.e., laptop, tablet, etc.) including R free software as well as R Studio for in-class activities. Previous knowledge on R software is not a prerequisite, but students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with it:
https://www.youtube.com/c/rprogramming101
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 1
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
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.