Did you know that worldwide, women tend to live longer than men, but spend more years in ill health? Or that women do more unpaid work in the home, while they earn less money in the labor market than men, even for equal work? Or that highly educated women are more likely to migrate to a different country for work than highly educated men? This course will examine sex and gender differences in population processes (health & mortality, family & fertility, household & the labor market, migration), and critically investigate where these gender inequalities come from, why they are so persistent, and what could be done about them. We will engage in transdisciplinary perspective taking and address these population issues from different social science angles. While an empirical dichotomisation of “sex” into male and female is often central to population research, what do demographers mean when they talk about sex difference? How do their concepts of sex and gender, and approaches to understanding and explaining gender inequalities, overlap with those from other disciplines? How do they deal with non-binary gender identities? What are other disciplines’ perspective on these gendered issues, and how does research from different fields on these issues speak to each other? We will explore answers to these questions and develop a ‘gendered’ understanding of a variety of issues in population studies, examining them through the lenses of theories and perspectives from demography, sociology, gender studies, and economics.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. identify and understand key concepts on sex and gender in population studies and other social sciences;
2. analyse and critically reflect upon research on gendered population issues from a range of different disciplinary lenses (transdisciplinary perspectives);
3. learn how to read and critically assess quantitative empirical studies;
4. develop practical problem-solving strategies to sticky gender inequalities in a team; and
5. communicate ideas in a group setting effectively and expand teamworking skills.

Research-Led Teaching

1) Students will participate in in class surveys, and reflect on the survey critically evaluating it in light of theories and concepts learned in class

2) Students will learn how to read and critically interpret a quantitative study

3) Students will learn how to formulate a research question and how to find and review scientific literature

Examination Material or equipment

in-person pen and paper exam, cheat sheet allowed

Required Resources

smartphone, laptop

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction:  What is demography, what is sociology, what is social demography, what is psychology, what is sex and gender? Why do sex and gender matter in population studies and in other social science disciplines?	Introduction to the course; in-class survey
2	The Sociological Lens: The Social Construction of Gender	Discussion of theoretical perspectives; Discussion Topics for Group Projects
3	The Political & Power Lens: Feminism, hegemonic masculinity, emphasized femininity, intersectionality	Discussion of theoretical perspectives; Forming of Groups for Group Projects
4	The Demographic Lens: And what about population? Theoretical debates on gender and sex in population studies	Discussion of theoretical perspectives; Discussion of Group Projects
5	The Psychological Lens: Gender Attitudes & Ideologies, Ambivalent Sexism Theory, LGBTQIA, Gender Identity and Gendered Socialization/Gendered Bodies, Gender and Emotion	Discussion of theoretical perspectives--how do the perspectives and concepts we learned complement or contradict each other?
6	Fertility in the Global North: Fertility Transition, Gender Equity and Fertility, Couple Perspectives, Motherhood and Fatherhood	Topics in Population and Gender; Practical excursion: How do I read a quantitative study?
7	Fertility in the Global South: Fertility Transition, Family Planning Movement; From Family Planning to Reproductive Health, Population Policy and Women’s Health	Topics in Population and Gender; Practical excursion: How do I find and review scientific literature on a specific topic?
8	Households, Domestic Work, and Time Use	Topics in Population and Gender; Discussion of Critical Reflection (due end of week 9)
9	Labor Markets, Work-Family issues	Topics in Population and Gender; Practical Excursion: How to design a gender equality initiative?
10	Relationships and Gender Backlash: Changing Relationship, Union Formation, Sexualities, the Manosphere	Topics in Population and Gender; Work on group projects
11	Population Health, Ageing and Mortality	Topics in Population and Gender; Work on group projects
12	Gender and Migration	Topics in Population and Gender; Final discussion group projects (due end of week 12)

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Attendance and Participation	10 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5
Midterm Quiz	15 %	27/08/2025	29/08/2025	1,2,3,4
Critical Reflection on Survey	15 %	03/10/2025	25/10/2025	2,3,4
Group Project: Enhancing Gender Equality	45 %	25/10/2025	25/11/2025	1,2,4,5
Final Exam	15 %	*	*	1,2,3,4

* 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

Assessment 1 is student participation

Examination(s)

Assessments 2 and 5 are exams

Assessment Task 1

Attendance and Participation

Assessment 1 is student participation. Student will be graded for participation in engaging with the course materials and questions in lectorials over the course of the semester. By participating in lectorials, students will engage with all learning objectives for the course.

Assessment Task 2

Midterm Quiz

Assessment 2 is a midterm quiz, which will test students on key concepts, contents and skills learned in the class.

Assessment Task 3

Critical Reflection on Survey

Assessment 3 is a critical evaluation of a data collection effort students will complete connected to the course. Students will participate in a data collection effort and critically analyse and reflect on the data collection utilizing theoretical lenses learned in class.

Assessment Task 4

Group Project: Enhancing Gender Equality

Assessment 4 is a proposal for an intervention program, grounded in a solid literature review of the issue. Students are to pick a topic related to gender and population issues, with a goals of a) reviewing the literature on this issue, b) analysing the issue from different (multi-disciplinary) theoretical perspectives, and c) developing and proposing an intervention or program that could improve or alleviate the issue, utilizing theoretical lenses learned in class. Assessments 3 will be conducted as group work in a team of 2-5 students, depending on class size. Groups will chose theoretical lenses they'd like to use for analyzing the problem, assign one lens/theory to each group member, assess the problem through each lens, then jointly analyse the pros and cons of each approach in their report. Further, the students will propose potential interventions or programs to address or alleviate the gender inequality. The assessment is designed develop student's knowledge and capacity to critically analyse and think thought how sex and gender difference in the topic of interest look like, and are being analyzed and explained. Students will complete all learning objectives in completing the assessment and will be assessed accordingly.

Assessment Task 5

Final Exam

Assessment 5 is a final exam, which will test students on key concepts, contents and skills learned in the class. It will be given toward the end of the semester. It will be a pen and paper exam; bringing a cheat sheet will be allowed.

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) 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

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. 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

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

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.

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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students