Demography analyses the underlying structure of populations and how they change throughout time and space. It is fundamental to our understanding of the political, social, and economic transformations happening in society today and what the future might hold. Demographers study populations from around the world, and evaluate how population dynamics are linked to key societal concerns, including migration and conflict, climate change and sustainable development, fertility and changing dimensions of the family, and how health and living longer impact on individuals and societies.
In completing the demography major, students develop a demographic perspective and toolkit, a fundamental way of understanding and evaluating how populations are linked and change throughout time and space and how they interact with different dimensions of society and the wider environment. A demography major provides students with an analytical skillset and understanding that is in demand and highly valued by a variety of careers, including public policy, market research, data analyses, health and social issue professions, government departments, and international agencies. A demography major opens up a range of postgraduate possibilities, be it public policy, social research, data science, public health, or other topics in population science.
Learning Outcomes
- demonstrate an understanding of demographic changes in the world and their major determinants;
- develop skills in demographic methods used in understanding and generating demographic knowledge and research.
- draw on demographic methods and population theories to explain past, present and future population characteristics;
- apply demographic concepts and theories to understand contemporary socio-economic issues and current affairs;
- examine policy issues based on demographic concepts and theories; and
- construct an evidence-based argument on population issues using a demographic perspective.
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
30 units from completion of the following courses:
DEMO2001 Understanding Population Change (6 units)
DEMO2002 Population Analysis (6 units)
DEMO3001 Population Policy Case Studies (6 units)
DEMO3010 Perspectives on Sex, Gender and Population (6 units)
SOCY2038 Introduction to Quantitative Research Methods (6 units)
6 units from completion of one of the following courses:
DEMO3002 Demographic Research Internship (6 units)
SOCY3169 Online Research Methods (6 units)
12 units from completion of courses from the following list:
ANTH2017 Culture, Social Justice and Aboriginal Society Today (6 units)
DEMO1001 Global Population Challenges (6 units)
DEMO2003 Migration in the Modern World (6 units)
DEMO2004 Social Inequalities in Health (6 units)
DEMO3002 Demographic Research Internship (6 units)
SOCY2035 Cities and Urban Transformation ( 6 units)
SOCY3057 Marriage and Family (6 units)
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