POPST302-23B (NET)

Exploring Population Change

15 Points

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The University of Waikato
Academic Divisions
Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
Te Ngira Institute for Population Research Office
Te Ngira Institute for Population Research

Staff

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Convenor(s)

Lecturer(s)

Administrator(s)

: anu.mani@waikato.ac.nz

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

: shefali.pawar@waikato.ac.nz

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: em.pooley@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
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What this paper is about

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This methods based paper provides the third year anchor of an undergraduate major in population studies. It builds on POPST201 and introduces students to basic concepts of demographic measurement and modelling used to study changes in size, composition and distribution of population. The paper is not only of value to population studies majors, but also to students with majors in other disciplines as broad as sociology, environmental planning, geography, social policy, public policy, political science, anthropology, economics, epidemiology and public health. More generally, this paper introduces students to a variety of practical techniques for analysing data throughout the social sciences.
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How this paper will be taught

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The paper covers basic population measures of fertility, nuptiality, mortality, migration and health; life table construction and its link to survival analysis; population projection; and mixed methods. Several newer approaches and uses (such as administrative data and big data) are also introduced. Presentations in lectures and tutorials include algebra and students should have completed POPST201. It is assumed that students are up to date on access and processing of electronic research material, both through Moodle, and other resources provided through the library (such as JSTOR, Web of Knowledge, etc). The paper will make significant use of the excel spreadsheet software and students will get hands on experience applying that to population studies through tutorials.

This paper is entirely internally assessed (1:0). Assessment includes two quizzes, one short commentary, five assignments, one report
outline and one final report.

POPST302 is a 15 point paper at level three. Students are expected to do 8-10 hours per week (over the 14 week semester) of study, reading, writing, and data manipulation through assignments in addition to the following:

Weekly lectures: 12 x 2 = 24 hours
Tutorial sessions: 5 x 2 = 10 hours

All lectures are recorded and uploaded to Moodle.
All tutorials are conducted online via zoom as well as recorded and uploaded to Moodle.

The tutorials will provide hands on applications to the excel spreadsheet software as it applies to population studies. Topics will correspond to material covered in lectures and will mainly address the main theme of the assignment the week before it is due with applications using New Zealand data.

Tutorials will be given by Shefali Pawar online via zoom, recorded and uploaded to Moodle on the following dates and times:

NameTutorial Data and Time
Tutorial 1Thursday 13 July, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Tutorial 2Thursday 20 July, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Tutorial 3Thursday 27 July, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Tutorial 4Thursday 17 August, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Tutorial 5Thursday 21 September, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
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Required Readings

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Required Readings:

This course will make use of Moodle. A comprehensive schedule with required readings, journal articles citations, guest lecturers bios, and links to available course material, as appropriate will be listed there. Students are encouraged to keep an eye on the mass media for relevant, topical material. Use should also be made of the internet to keep abreast of major debates. The course will draw mainly from the following text books:

Rowland, D. (2003). Demographic Methods and Concepts. Oxford University Press. Multiple copies of this book are available in the Library. See also http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780198752639/

Thomas, R.K. (2018). Concepts, Methods and Practical Applications in Applied Demography: An Introductory Textbook. Springer. https://waikato.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/64WAIKATO_INST/1mpj7p3/cdi_askewsholts_vlebooks_9783319654393

Yusuf, F., Martins, J., & Swanson, D. (2014). Methods of Demographic analysis. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer. Copies of this book are available in the Library and online see: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/lib/waikato/detail.action?docID=1538857

Carmichael, G. (2016). Fundamentals of Demographic Analysis: Concepts, Measures and Methods. Springer. Copies of this book are available in the Library and online see: https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/book/10.1007%2F978-3-319-23255-3

Recommended Readings:

In addition, you may wish to consult other recommended materials. All are useful in their own way and take up population methods from
different viewpoints. These may be cited in lectures. A book on excel data analysis is also listed.

Preston, S., P. Heuveline and M. Guillot.(2001). Demography: Measuring and Modeling Population Processes. Oxford. A
standard text that contains formal demographic development of key material, emphasizing fertility, mortality, and age structure.

Poston D. (2019). Handbook of Population Second Edition. Available at: https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/book/10.1007/978-3-030-10910-3

Haupt, A., Kane, T., & Haub, C. (2011). The Population Handbook. Population Reference Bureau. Available at: https://www.prb.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/prb-population-handbook-2011.pdf

Guerrero, H. (2019). Excel Data Analysis: Modelling and Simulation: Second Edition. Available at: https://link-springer com.ezproxy.waikato.ac.nz/book/10.1007/978-3-030-01279-3

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You will need to have

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You will need to have completed POPST201 as it is a prerequisite for this paper.
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Learning Outcomes

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Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Understand and describe the processes that cause population change
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Understand and apply various concepts and methods to study population change
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Understand and interpret various demographic measures
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  • Understand, construct, calculate and interpret basic demographic indicators
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Access various demographic data sources and understand their relative strengths and weaknesses
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Understand the relationship between population change and policy
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • Read and communicate ideas regarding population issues in written form
    Linked to the following assessments:
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Assessments

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How you will be assessed

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This paper makes use of the following assessments:

  1. Two quizzes (4% each, 8% total)
  2. One short commentary (200-250 words long, 4%) on media/opinion pieces (including videos) referring to population issues.
  3. Five assignments (8% each, 40% total) will include problem sets that make significant use of spreadsheet software.
  4. Report submitted in two parts:
    1. Report Outline (10%), up to two pages.
    2. Final Report (38%), between 2000-2500 words.

Detailed guidelines for commentary, report outline and final report will be provided well in advance based on the assessment schedule below.

Open Date/TimeClose Date/TimeAssessmentValue (%)
Thursday 13 July, 10 amWednesday 19 July, 4 pmAssignment 18
Thursday 20 July, 10 amWednesday 26 July, 4 pmAssignment 28
Thursday 27 July, 10 amWednesday 2 August, 4 pmAssignment 38
Monday 7 August, 10 amFriday 11 August, 4 pmQuiz 14
Thursday 17 August, 10 amWednesday 23 August, 4 pmAssignment 48
Thursday 20 July, 10 amFriday 15 September, 4 pmReport Outline10
Monday 11 September, 10 am Friday 15 September, 4 pmQuiz 2 4
Thursday 21 September, 10 amWednesday 27 September, 4 pmAssignment 5 8
Monday 2 October, 10 amFriday 6 October, 4 pm Commentary 14
Thursday 20 July, 10 amFriday 20 October, 4 pmFinal Report38
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The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Quizzes (2 x 4% each)
8
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
2. Short Commentary (4%)
4
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Assignments (5 x 8% each)
40
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Report outline
15 Sep 2023
4:00 PM
10
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Final report
20 Oct 2023
4:00 PM
38
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
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