This course is the second course in demographic methods offered in the Master of Social Research. The objective is to familiarize students with measures and models used by demographers for studying the behavior of human populations.
This course covers some basic measures described in DEMO8008 (Principles of Population Analysis), but with more emphasis on the methodological foundation of these measures (including some proofs) and with greater use of continuous notation. It also covers more advanced demographic methods (e.g., multistate analysis). An important feature of this course is its emphasis on population dynamics. That is, how fertility, mortality, migration, and more generally, transition between statuses combine to produce changes in population size and composition.
The course consists of a series of lectures that fall into two parts: one focusing on the methodological foundation of key demographic techniques, and the other on their applications.
The applications include the modeling and projection of age structure, regional migration, living arrangement/partnering, labor force participation, and disease/health status.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:Understand the logical basis of the measures and models used in demography, and their interrelations.
Gain experience in the use of demographic tools.
Indicative Assessment
Grading will be based on problem sets (15%), a mid-term exam (35%), and a final exam (50%). There is no essay.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
Two 1.5-hour classes per week. Students are expected to attend the classes. There will be altogether six to seven homework assignments (problem sets), each taking about 2-4 hours to complete. Most homework requires the use of Excel.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Australian Demographic & Social Research Institute to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Required: Preston, Samuel H., Patrick Heuveline and Michel Guillot. 2001. Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. London: Blackwell Publishers, 291 p.
The lectures on applications will use guest lecturers' own empirical research.
Assumed Knowledge
The course uses some calculus (simple derivatives and integrals) but is accessible to people with no knowledge of calculus.Specialisations
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and 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). You can find your student contribution amount for each course 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $2604 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $4146 |
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.
