This course provides the basic analytical foundation for understanding societal change. It focuses on the key measures and techniques used to study the diversity of demographic change occurring in Australia and throughout the world. This includes methods for analysing fertility, mortality, migration and population compositions. The construction of life tables and populations projections are also introduced.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. understand the processes that cause demographic change;
2. apply various methods and concepts to study population change;
3. interpret various demographic measures;
4. analyse demographic data; and
5. access various demographic data sources and understand their relative strengths and weaknesses.

Examination Material or equipment

Students are allowed to use all the material used in class during the examinations

Required Resources

The prescribed textbook for this course is:

Preston, S.H., Heuveline, P., and Guillot, M. (2001). Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

The textbook can be purchased in hardcopy (from the Kambri Bookshop on campus).

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)

Students are required to have read the assigned weekly readings prior to class. 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.

Recommended Resources

For students interested in a less technical presentation:

Rowland, D. T. (2003).Demographic Methods and Concepts. New York: Oxford University Press.

Please note that notation and equations vary between the Preston et al. book and the Rowland book. The course will follow the notation and equations of the Preston et al. book.

Staff Feedback

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

1. Written feedback for all assessment tasks
2. General (verbal) feedback following the return of marked assessments about overall performance and common issues
3. Verbal feedback during Q&A in class

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Assessments should not exceed the assigned word (or time, where applicable) limit and should be formatted as per below:

Use the in-text American Psychological Association (APA) citation format (see for example http://guides.is.uwa.edu.au/apa).

Where applicable, number pages and use 1.5 spaced typing.

Always proofread your written work prior to submission.

Students must appropriately cite and reference all sources used in assessment. Failure to do so will result in formal consideration of poor academic performance and/or academic

misconduct by the Course Convener. The Course Convener, when deemed necessary, will refer cases to the Academic Standards & Quality Office.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Course introduction Basic concepts
2	Fertility I
3	Fertility II
4	Mortality I
5	Mortality II
6	Migration	Group exercise 1 Due 31/March
7	MID-TERM EXAM
8	Population Growth
9	Forecasting
10	Family Formation
11	Population Health	Group exercise 2 Due 26/May
12	FINAL EXAM

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Group-Exercises (similar for task number 1 and 3)	15 %	31/03/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Mid-term Exam	25 %	20/04/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Group-Exercises (similar for task number 1 and 3)	15 %	20/05/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Final Exam	25 %	25/05/2023	1,2,3,4,5
Weekly participation report	20 %	20/02/2023	1,2,3,4,5

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

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills 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

Active student participation and attendance at lab each week is expected

Examination(s)

Two examinations take place during the course, in the middle of the term and at the end of the course. These are in class exams and students are allowed to use all the material available from the course to solve the questions.

Assessment Task 1

Group-Exercises (similar for task number 1 and 3)

Students will write a brief report from a demographic topic. Each report provides the opportunity for students to apply demographic methods and interpret the results. The reports are a key component of the course, as methods are best understood by applying them to data. Reports will require the use of R or another program and are due on the date listed in the Course Schedule by 5pm.

Students will work together in teams of 3 which will be assigned on the first day of class submitted by the group Turnitin.

Word limit: maximum 2500 words (not counting words in Figures, Tables and References) + maximum 2 Figures and 1 Table

Value: 15%

Presentation requirements: the report should include – Introduction, data used, methods, results (with own calculated Figures), conclusion and references

Estimated return date: 2 weeks after due date.

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks: All students of a group will receive the same mark in group exercise.

Assessment Task 2

Mid-term Exam

Two examinations take place during the course, in the middle of the term and at the end of the course. These are in class exams and students are allowed to use all the material available from the course to solve the questions.

The mid-term exam will include all the material seen in the course on the topics.

Students should expect 70% of the exam consisting on calculations of demographic measures and 30% reflecting on theoretical aspects of demography.

Value: 25%

Estimated return date: 2 weeks after due date.

Assessment Task 3

Group-Exercises (similar for task number 1 and 3)

Students will record a video presenting an assigned demographic topic. Each video/report provides the opportunity for students to apply demographic methods and interpret the results. The video/reports are a key component of the course, as methods are best understood by applying them to data. Video/reports will require the use of R or another program and are due on the date listed in the Course Schedule by 5pm.

Students will work together in teams of 3 which will be assigned on the first day of class submitted by the group Turnitin.

Word limit: maximum 10min of video

Value: 15%

Presentation requirements: the report should include – Introduction, data used, methods, results (with own calculated Figures), conclusion and references

Estimated return date: 2 week after due date.

Individual Assessment in Group Tasks: All students of a group will receive the same mark in group exercise.

Assessment Task 4

Final Exam

Two examinations take place during the course, in the middle of the term and at the end of the course. These are in class exams and students are allowed to use all the material available from the course to solve the questions.

The final exam will include all the material seen in the course.

Students should expect 70% of the exam consisting on calculations of demographic measures and 30% reflecting on theoretical aspects of demography

Value: 25%

Assessment Task 5

Weekly participation report

Students will calculate an R plot based on the R-program studied on that day in class and include the plot together with a one page description of those results. Each report provides the opportunity for students to apply demographic methods and interpret the results. The reports are a key component of the course, as methods are best understood by applying them to data. Reports will require the use of R and are due a week after they are studied in class.

Students will work INDIVIDUALLY and the report is submitted in Turnitin.

Word limit: maximum one page including a Figure and its description

Value: 20%

Estimated return date: 1 weeks after due date.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Excel files accompanying problem sets and the take-home exam will be submitted via Wattle. In-class group exercises will be submitted via Wattle.

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. Late submission is not accepted for in-class group exercises.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Marked assessments and grades (including written feedback, where applicable) will be returned via the course Wattle site.

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

No resubmission of assignments is accepted. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convener about an assignment prior to the due date

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 Access 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