The growth in scientific understanding of the climate system and its sensitivity to greenhouse gas emissions is a remarkable accomplishment by physical scientists during the last thirty years. More recently, social scientists have turned their attention to understanding systematically and in depth the main human causes and consequences of anthropogenic change and how societies can respond. This course is devoted to examining the issues from a population perspective: that is, how changes in human populations—their size, structure (social, demographic, economic and political) and behaviour—interact with climate and the natural environment. The course focuses on selected topics all of which contribute to our broader understanding of the relationships between population dynamics, climate change and sustainable development.
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:
- demonstrate an understanding of how population dynamics contribute to the causes and consequences of anthropogenic climate change, and to a population's capacity to respond;
- explain the strengths and weaknesses of different ways in which the links between population dynamics and climate change—and more generally between population and environment—can be conceptualised and studied empirically;
- identify and use key relevant (open-access) data sets; and
- identify opportunities for incorporating population-based policies in a country's mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Indicative Assessment
One mid-semester research essay 2,000 words (30%) - Learning Outcomes 1-2
One final research essay 4,000 words (70%) - Learning Outcomes 1-4
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: 36 hours of combined lectures and group discussions; and
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
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:
- 14
- 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 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $3630 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $5580 |
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.
