EV2360 - Population Geography and Demography

This subject provides a geographical perspective on population change at a variety of scales, using evidence from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Topics studied include contemporary population growth, fertility and mortality patterns, population-physical environment relationships, recent socio-economic change, migration, population policies and population projections for Australia and the implications for such growth. Practical workshops will be used to develop practical skills in demographic and regional analysis.

Learning Outcomes

• connect demographic trends to other issues such as planning, economic development, women's rights or environmental change;
• to demonstrate an understanding of the basic measures used in demography (eg growth, birth and mortality rates; dependency rations; arithmetic density);
• demonstrate an understanding of the basic theories used in demography (eg demographic transition theory; epidemiological transition model;push-pull theory);
• discuss the current status of Australia's population growth and distribution, and future demographic trends to 2030;
• identify the major sources of data on Australian population characteristics, after becoming familiar with the operation of the ABS website.

Subject Assessment

• end of semester exam (30%)
• essays (20%)
• practical projects (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.