ATS3725 - Population and society - 2017

The unit examines Australian population issues and their social dimensions. The components of demographic change will be examined, as will the dramatic social consequences of population change. Substantive issues covered will include population ageing, the determinants of fertility and partnering in Australia and the factors shaping Australian immigration policy. Students will also learn how to address a population question in-depth using relevant information extracted from the Australian unit record census data files.

On completion of the unit, students will be able to:

1. understand key concepts and tools used in the study of population
2. identify the components of change in the size, structure and composition of the population
3. identify and articulate some of the many social origins of demographic trends
4. identify and articulate social consequences of demographic trends
5. engage critically with public debate over population issues
6. use ABS Tablebuilder (for Australian census data) and extract relevant data to address a research question
7. describe and interpret tables extracted from Australian census data files

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Associate Professor Dharmalingam Arunachalam

Sociology

Twelve credit points of second-year Arts units. It is highly recommended that students only take this unit after they have completed two gateway units in Sociology.

ATS2725