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DEM 355 – Global Population Challenges

2015 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor / Lecturer
Salut Muhidin
salut.muhidin@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
E4A-624
Wednesday 11-13
Yang Yang
yang.yang@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
39cp including DEM127
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Co-taught with MGMT255
Unit description Unit description
This unit focuses on the implications of various global population challenges created by current and future demographic trends for business and governments in both the developed and developing countries. Some of the topics covered include: population growth and development; social and economic consequences of population mobility and their implications for internal and external labour markets; the challenges of an ageing population and ageing workforce; the crisis of low fertility rates in the most developed countries; and the environmental impacts of population change.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://students.mq.edu.au/important-dates

Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  2. Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  3. Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  4. Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.
  5. Able to convey information regarding global population issues in an effective and concise manner through oral or written presentation.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Due
Article/Report Review 30% Week 4 / 6
Research Project 30% Week 8 / 11
Final Exam 40% Exam Period

Article/Report Review

Due: Week 4 / 6
Weighting: 30%

This assignment involves an article review and a report interpretation on demographic development indicators. The article review will be approximately 5-6 pages in length--which summarize and evaluate the dimensions, opportunities and challenges written in some recommended articles related with the themes: (1) Population and Global Climate Change; (2) Ageing Workforce and (3) Asylum seeker and international border protection. The interpretations and evaluation of demographic development indicators will use assigned research reports produced by the Australian government or the International organisations (i.e. UN and World Bank). The information session on this assignment will be conducted in Week 2. 

Submission: Submission of a hard copy to tutor at tutorial time in two installments, in Week 4 for the review article submission and on Week 6 for the report interpretation. The electronic copy should be submitted through "turn-it-in" in iLearn. 

Extension: No extensions will be granted. In special circumstances, an extension request to timeline for submission may be granted if: (a) satisfactory evidence of unavoidable disruption is presented; (b) the student has a satisfactory record of attendance; and (c) the request is made few days before the due date.

Penalties: Penalties for plagiarism can be severe.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily: Students are expected to complete all tasks as instructed in the assignment sets. 
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.
  • Able to convey information regarding global population issues in an effective and concise manner through oral or written presentation.

Research Project

Due: Week 8 / 11
Weighting: 30%

This assessment will require students to give a project oral presentation (worth 10%) on selected topics and then to write a project report (worth 20%). The information session on this project will be conducted in Week 6.

Submission: Submission of this task to tutor at tutorial time in two installments: (a) Presentation: submission of a layout and file of 10-15 minutes presentation to tutor in Week 8, one day prior to the presentation day. (b) Project Report: submission of a hard copy report to tutor and an electronic copy of the report through "turn-it-in" at iLearn 

Extension: No extensions will be granted. In special circumstances, an extension request to timeline for submission may be granted if (a) satisfactory evidence of unavoidable disruption is presented; (b) the student has a satisfactory record of attendance, and (c) the request is made few days before the due date.

Penalties: Penalties for plagiarism can be severe.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily: Students are expected to complete all tasks as instructed in the assignment sets.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.
  • Able to convey information regarding global population issues in an effective and concise manner through oral or written presentation.

Final Exam

Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 40%

Examination conditions: The duration of exam is 2 hour plus 10 minutes reading time. It will include questions involving writing notes or essays on certain topics covered in the lectures.

Extension: Students who miss a Final Exam due to unavoidable disruption are advised to apply for Disruption of Studies and a professional authority form to the student Enquiry Service. Student are also advised to contact the convenor at the earliest possible opportunity. It such cases, a supplementary test may be granted if suitable support documentation is presented and the student has a satisfactory record of attendance. 

Penalties: Penalties for copying other works will be severe.

What is required to complete the unit satisfactorily: There is no formal requirement for students to achieve pass in the final examination in order to pass the unit.
This Assessment Task relates to the following Learning Outcomes:
  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.

Delivery and Resources

Classes

The unit will involve 3 hours face-to-face teaching per week consisting of 1 x 2 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial.  The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/ 

It is a requirement of the unit that students attend all lectures and tutorials. Attendance sheets will be circulated and it is the students’ responsibility that they sign these sheets. Students are encouraged to contact the unit Convenor if, due to any reason, they are unable to attend a lecture and/or tutorial.

Copies of overhead slides for each topic will be provided via Moodle-Online Learning @MQ http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. Students are expected to print a copy of the slides beforehand and bring them to the lecture. Students are expected to attend these weekly lectures and a tutorial on a regular basis and will actively compile additional notes during the lectures. In addition, the unit provides students with the lists of recommended references.

 

In addition to the time spent attending lectures and tutorials and doing assignments, each student is expected to spend a significant amount of time preparing for lectures, reading the literature, updating lecture notes, learning the key definitions and formulae, attempting exercises from the past tests or exam papers, and revising for exams (an average of 9 hours per week is recommended).Students are encouraged to follow developments in the global and local population and the population related issues debates which are reported in the media.

 

Prizes

A prize from “The Macquarie University Marketing and Management Prizes” will be awarded to a student who has the highest proficiency in this unit.

 

Prescribed Textbook and/or Materials

Weeks, John R. (2007) Population: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues, Wadsworth Publishing. The book is available for purchase from the Co-op Bookshop.

It is assumed that students are familiar and competent in demographic techniques previously taught in DEM255 or DEM256 or DEM127. To refresh their competence students are advised to consult the book on Demographic Methods and Concepts by Donald T. Rowland (2003); or Demographic Techniques by A.H. Pollard, F. Yusuf and G.N. Pollard (available in the special Reserve Section of the Library).

Students will also be referred to books, book chapters, and other materials for the weekly lectures. A list of references for the various topics covered in the unit is available online via Online Learning @MQhttp://ilearn.mq.edu.au. It is advisable that students download the lecture notes from the iLearn and reading materials from the library or relevant databases prior to the lecture time. Hardcopies of teaching and reading materials will NOT be provided in the class. It is highly recommended that students compile notes of their own based on the materials covered in lectures and tutorials and from recommended readings.

 

Technology Used and Required

Students are expected to be familiar with the use of basic office software (i.e. word processing, spreadsheet, and power point) and the use of Moodle-Online Learning @MQ http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. 

Echo Reading: All lectures may be recorded using the Echo Recording system, it will depend on the availability of its facility in the lecture class. Whilst the Echo Recording may provide an additional resource, students are advised that no guarantees are given in relation to the availability or quality of the sound recordings or the functioning of any related websites or links to files of recordings of lectures. Students are expected to attend the lectures on a regular basis and to compile notes during the course of the lectures.  Thus any failing of the Echo Recording will not be accepted as grounds for appeal.

Unit Schedule

Week Lecture Topic

Tutorial
1

Unit Introduction; Global population growth

 No Tute
2 Demographic transition & its consequences: Population and the climate change Tutorial 1
3 International perspectives on population ageing: Challenges in labor market Tutorial 2
4

Migration and human settlement: Global diaspora and global city 

 Tutorial 3
5 Open or closed borders: Human trafficking and asylum seekers Tutorial 4
6 Global health challenges Tutorial 5
   Mid-Semester Break  
7 Population and internet: Citizen of social media Tutorial 6
8 Indigenous population around the world Tutorial 7
9 International population policies Tutorial 8
10 Applied demography in community planning Tutorial 9 
11 Population issues and business opportunities Tutorial 10
12 Australia in the Asian century Tutorial 11
13 Course wrap-up and Evaluation Tutorial 12

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy  http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html

Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html

Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Academic Honesty

The nature of scholarly endeavour, dependent as it is on the work of others, binds all members of the University community to abide by the principles of academic honesty. Its fundamental principle is that all staff and students act with integrity in the creation, development, application and use of ideas and information. This means that:

  • all academic work claimed as original is the work of the author making the claim
  • all academic collaborations are acknowledged
  • academic work is not falsified in any way
  • when the ideas of others are used, these ideas are acknowledged appropriately.

Further information on the academic honesty can be found in the Macquarie University Academic Honesty Policy at  http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

 

Grades

Macquarie University uses the following grades in coursework units of study:

HD - High Distinction / D - Distinction / CR - Credit / P - Pass / F - Fail

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Grading Policy which is available at: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html

 

Grading Appeals and Final Examination Script Viewing

If, at the conclusion of the unit, you have performed below expectations, and are considering lodging an appeal of grade and/or viewing your final exam script please refer to the following website which provides information about these processes and the cut off dates in the first instance. Please read the instructions provided concerning what constitutes a valid grounds for appeal before appealing your grade.

http://www.businessandeconomics.mq.edu.au/new_and_current_students/undergraduate/how_do_i/grade_appeals

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Enquiry Service

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

Equity Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Able to convey information regarding global population issues in an effective and concise manner through oral or written presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Article/Report Review
  • Research Project
  • Final Exam

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.
  • Able to convey information regarding global population issues in an effective and concise manner through oral or written presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Article/Report Review
  • Research Project
  • Final Exam

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.
  • Able to convey information regarding global population issues in an effective and concise manner through oral or written presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Article/Report Review
  • Research Project

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Apply an understanding and awareness of various global population challenges and their social and economic implications.
  • Apply an understanding of the more advanced concepts, measures and indicators commonly used in demography.
  • Apply a familiarity with the various sources of demographic and other related data in Australia and overseas countries.
  • Critically review the relevance of demography to many contemporary global population issues.

Assessment tasks

  • Article/Report Review
  • Research Project
  • Final Exam

Changes from Previous Offering

DEM355 this session will be the last offer for DEM major/minor. Some changes have been made in the lecture themes and assessment structures, see detail in the unit schedule and assessment tasks.

Global Perspectives and Sustainability

As clearly indicated in the unit's name "Global Population Challenges", a global perspective will be covered in all lecture and tutorial materials in this unit.

The sustainability of human population development are key issues in the demographic analysis and studies.

Research and Practice

This unit uses researches from both Macquarie University researchers and external sources as listed in the references lists on iLearn.

From Macquarie University, most research themes within the Centre for Workforce Futures have been incorporated as the main resources in this unit. Among others, it includes the recent researches on:

  • Resource Efficiency and Sustainability in the Workplace Symposium
  • Climate change work and employment
  • The Case for a National Portable Long Service Leave Scheme in Australia
  • Digital Productivity in the Workplace of the Future
  • Women, Management and Work

From other sourses, it incorporates researches published in highly rank academic journals and internationally reputated organizations. Among others, it includes the following journals and organizations:

  • Journals: Demography, Journal of Populatioin Research, Lancet, International Migration, and Population Development Review 
  • Reports and Working Papers Series from UN, WHO and World Bank