The field of population studies is concerned with how populations change, and how population change impacts society. This course introduces the field of population studies and theories on population change, and considers past, current and future population issues. The topics include the relationship between population size and resources; population transition theories; mortality and fertility decline; population ageing; and population distribution and migration. Students will investigate the effects of population size, growth, and distribution on sustainable development, and consider the role of policy.

Learning Outcomes

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

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

1. demonstrate an understanding of demographic changes in the world and their major determinants;
2. use major demographic concepts and population theories to explain and evaluate past and present population changes; and
3. interpret demographic materials, such as research literature and demographic data, to assess a current demographic situation.

Examination Material or equipment

Students must access the final exam online via a desktop computer or laptop with an internet connection. The exam is 'open book and notes,' so students may use their notes, course materials, and the textbook in completing their exam.

Required Resources

The prescribed textbook for this course is:

Weeks, J. R. (2015). Population: An Introduction to Concepts and issues (12th edition). Boston: Cengage Learning.

 The textbook can be purchased (from the bookshop on campus) or in electronic format (from the publisher’s website: http://www.cengagebrain.com.au/).

 

In addition to the textbook, students are required to have read the assigned weekly readings prior to lectures. All non-textbook readings can be downloaded from the course Wattle site. Further, it is expected that students will read more widely to support their assessment tasks.

Additional resources, which support weekly topics, are provided on Wattle. 

Staff Feedback

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

• Written feedback for all assessment tasks
• Verbal feedback on tutorial presentations
• General (verbal) feedback following the return of marked assessments about overall performance and common issues.

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). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction
2	Global Population Trends
3	Historical Demography
4	Population Theories
5	The Life Course and Life Cycle Perspectives
6	Mortality
7	Applied Demography
8	Fertility
9	Contemporary Families
10	Migration
11	Ageing
12	Human Development & Sustainability

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Small group discussion	20 %	27/05/2020	31/05/2020	1
Major Essay	40 %	19/05/2020	31/05/2020	1,2,3
Final Exam	40 %	04/06/2020	02/07/2020	1,2,3

* 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 Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

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 ANU Online 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

The course is taught in a lectorial format. Students enrolled in the course are expected to actively participate in small group discussions and online learning.

Examination(s)

The course has a final exam worth 40%.

Assessment Task 1

Small group discussion

Students will lead the discussion of small groups (no more than 6). Students will be allocated a week to lead the discussion between week 3 and week 11, inclusive.

You will prepare topic notes to lead the discussion, which will be the basis of the assessment. The notes should comprise:

1. A paragraph summarising the background of the topic area
2. 7-10 dot points identifying the key points for discussion, with brief explanatory notes
3. 3-5 dot points summarising how you will conduct the group discussion

Further details of assessment will be provided on Wattle.

Assessment Task 2

Major Essay

The major essay is 2500 words in length and provides students with the opportunity to examine and critique a population-related issue/topic with originality and depth.

Students must choose a topic In order to complete this assignment, students must incorporate existing research and source material on the subject, along with relevant policy issues on the subject. Further details will be provided on the course Wattle site.

The topic and outline of this assessment is due on 1 April.

This assessment is due on 19 May (by 9 a.m.).

Rubric

Structure and Tone	Presentation of Facts, Analysis, & Discussion	Demographic Theory Application	Demographic/Population Policy	Source Material Quality and Accuracy	Citation and referencing
10%	30%	20%	20%	10%	10%

Assessment Task 3

Final Exam

A 3-hour final exam will be administered online during the exam period. The final exam will be a comprehensive, consisting of multiple choice questions, short-response, and short essay questions on topics covered during the semester. The exam will be open book and notes, but students must complete the exam on their own. Further details will be provided on the the course Wattle site.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

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

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

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Online assessments will be returned via Wattle. Copies of the final exam will be made available for students.

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

Students may resubmit assessments into Turnitin before the due date. No assessments may be resubmitted after the due date, unless explicit permission is given by an appropriate authority (e.g., course convener, CASS Associate Dean of Student Experience).

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 Diversity 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