Contemporary Youth Studies top-up BA (Hons)

DISSERTATION (CAPSTONE PROJECT)

(Compulsory) ywu601

(Compulsory)

DISSERTATION (CAPSTONE PROJECT)

ywu601

MODULE SUMMARY :

This module provides students with the opportunity to explore an area of particular interest in Youth Studies through undertaking a small project supported by a member of staff from the subject area (or elsewhere) with appropriate specialist knowledge.

CONTACT HOURS :

Scheduled   : 100.00 Independent   : 300.00 Placement   : 0.00 Total   : 400.00

MODULE CURRICULUM LED OUTCOMES :

This module aims to:

• Enable students to identify a research or workplace problem and articulate a question/hypothesis relevant to the projects which they have opted.
• Enable students to acquire and apply a breadth of knowledge about the issue or phenomena in which they are engaged
• Enable students to select appropriate methods in relation to identified research and justify their employment
• Support students in the development, revision and refinement of their project design
• Promote effective autonomous practice in the organisation and management of small-scale project.
• Enable students to develop creative and innovative approaches to disseminating project findings.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES :

Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:          

• Demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and understanding of the issue or phenomena in which they have been engaged
• Locate appropriate methods in relation to their chosen area of study
• Understand the basic principles of effective project design
• Know about some of the key contemporary thinking in their chosen area of study
• Identify a research or workplace problem and articulate relevant question/hypothesis
• Work autonomously in the management of a small scale project with guidance from an allocated supervisor
• Present a coherent study – either through written means or more creative methods -  that details the choice of field of study, methods, and findings
• Develop their capacity for critical reflection and questioning.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT :

Component 1 - 100% Dissertation (10000 words)

ADVANCED CONTEXTUAL PRACTICE

(Compulsory) ywu603

(Compulsory)

ADVANCED CONTEXTUAL PRACTICE

ywu603

MODULE SUMMARY :

This module seeks to afford student the opportunity to develop a range of practice skills is specific contexts, while appreciating how these context sit within the overall approach of youth and community work. It will engage students in a critical appraisal of those theories, using current research, relevant to the context chosen. In doing this student will need to negotiate specific the rest of the curriculum and criteria upon which they are to be assessed, in addition to meeting general criteria applicable to any youth and community work. There will be an element of common teaching for the first few sessions and then the group will divide into seminar groups based on specific contexts. The group will then come back together to present to each other their significances and theoretical orientation of their contexts, and try and seek common ground with other youth and community workers. The contexts to be explored will be negotiated with the group and may include: 

• Working in housing and homelessness
• Detached and street based youth work
• International and Global Youth Work
• Outdoor Education and Bushcraft work
• Sport based work
• Drugs and Alcohol work
• Women’s Work
• LGBT youth work.

CONTACT HOURS :

Scheduled   : 40.00 Independent   : 170.00 Placement   : 0.00 Total   : 210.00

MODULE CURRICULUM LED OUTCOMES :

This module aims to: 

• Help student develop an informed and critical understanding of their professional role as educators in relation to specific contexts and other professional interventions within the framework of youth and community work.
• Enable students to become fluent in the nature of inter-professional and interdisciplinary approaches, including the possibility of trans-professional approaches
• Enable students to develop the ability to make informed judgments on complex ethical and professional issues in a disputed field and to act appropriately in the light of relevant professional and ethical codes of practice

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES :

Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to show that he/she: 

• Critically understands the meaning and practice of community and the community-based context for practice
• Critically understands learning about personal development through group participation and social, political and popular education
• Critically understands contexts  in which community and youth workers are employed including the distinctive  cultures of third sector and faith organisations, and multi agency approaches
• Critically understands and critique the role of community organisations in contributing to cohesion and integration, contestation and change
• Is an autonomous critical and reflective practitioner
• Is a professional who understands and can articulate their role as educators in relation to other professionals
• Has the ability to build trusting relationships and foster democratic and inclusive practice
• Is able to build partnerships with community groups and young people's projects and other professionals in education and in health and social care
• Can reflect on their own and others' value systems and the ability to explore such values
• Can organise and articulate of opinions and arguments in speech and writing, including justifying a personal position in relation to the subject
• Can demonstrate a commitment to the improvement of their own learning and performance
• Can demonstrate emotional literacy.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT :

Component 1 - Gateway Assessment - 80% Attendance Requirement

Component 2 - 30% Group Paper (1000 words)

Component 3 - 70% Individual Poster Presentation

MANAGING AND LEADING YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK

(Compulsory) ywu606

(Compulsory)

MANAGING AND LEADING YOUTH AND COMMUNITY WORK

ywu606

MODULE SUMMARY :

Drawing on a range of management and leadership theory, this module will introduce students to the necessary skills and knowledge needed to effectively lead and manage youth and community work projects in a changing and challenging environment.  It will include students demonstrating their ability, in groups, to produce a fully costed project proposal. It will also consider how to lead and manage teams through conflict and change and so that young people are safeguarded from harm.

CONTACT HOURS :

Scheduled   : 110.00 Independent   : 90.00 Placement   : 0.00 Total   : 200.00

MODULE CURRICULUM LED OUTCOMES :

This module aims to:

• Examine key theories of management and leadership including styles, motivation, and approaches to managing change and conflict. Introducing students to basic employment law, grievance and disciplinary procedures, recruitment and financial management.
• Critically engage with safeguarding policy and consider how they can interpret this within their role as managers and leaders.
• Analyse and develop practices which challenge existing power relations and discrimination and to identify and counter oppressive attitudes, behaviours and situations
• Enables students to engage with groups and individuals for  collective action and social change, appreciating the contested nature of these discourses.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES :

Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to show that he/she: 

• Has project management skills (incl. monitoring, evaluation, financial and resource management and policy development)
• Critically understands contexts in which community and youth workers are employed including the distinctive cultures of third sector and faith organisations, and multi agency approaches
• Has an ability to use information and communication technologies and demonstrate digital literacy
• Critically understands the legal obligations and duties of care in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and promoting good mental and emotional health
• Has an ability to work on their own initiative and in cooperation with others.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT :

Component 1 - Gateway Assessment - 80% Attendance Requirement

Component 2 - 100% Group Presentation of Project Proposal

YOUNG PEOPLE, SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH DEVELOPMENT

(Optional) ywu608

(Optional)

YOUNG PEOPLE, SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH DEVELOPMENT

ywu608

MODULE SUMMARY :

The module will explore the concept of youth, young people’s spirituality and faith development in contemporary society. A range of models of spirituality will be covered, which will be drawn from the experience of the students and the rich traditions within the faith communities. There will be the opportunity to study important theories of the faith development of young people, and to consider some of the issues and trends in faith and spirituality which may particularly affect young people today.

CONTACT HOURS :

Scheduled   : 36.00 Independent   : 164.00 Placement   : 0.00 Total   : 200.00

MODULE CURRICULUM LED OUTCOMES :

This module aims to:

• Deepen the students’ understanding of traditional and contemporary definitions of young people and models of spirituality and faith development and their applications
• Provide a knowledge and understanding of important theories of the spiritual development and faith development of young people
• Prepare the students to plan, lead faith and spiritual experiences with and for young people.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES :

Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:

• Develop an informed and critical understanding of a range of spiritualties
• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the stages and theories of faith and spiritual development of young people
• Explore the requisite theological and practical expertise to plan faith and spiritual experiences or otherwise support the spiritual development of young people.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT :

Component 1 - Gateway Assessment - 80% Attendance Requirement

Component 2 - 100% Group Presentation (30 minutes) & Individual Reflection (1500 words)

YOUNG PEOPLE AND CRIME

(Optional) ywu609

(Optional)

YOUNG PEOPLE AND CRIME

ywu609

MODULE SUMMARY :

This module critically examines a range of criminological theory, both historical and contemporary, that seeks to explain why young people commit crime and how it has and continues to inform governmental responses to youth crime. This will include some discussion of current policy and legislation and an analysis of structures within the British Criminal Justice System (focusing on England and Wales) such as Youth Offending Teams. Particular focus will be on how young peoples’ criminal behaviour is interpreted and contested in the media and political discourses and how youth crime policy impacts disproportionately on certain groups of young people within society (e.g. black young people, young people who meet on the street, etc). A recurrent theme will be how current models of work with young people involved in crime and multi-professional efforts to bring about desistance from that behaviour may conflict with the workers reluctance to engage in social control.

CONTACT HOURS :

Scheduled   : 40.00 Independent   : 160.00 Placement   : 0.00 Total   : 200.00

MODULE CURRICULUM LED OUTCOMES :

This module aims to: 

• Introduce students to fundamental concepts in criminology, looking at how these have developed over time in relation to young people, and how they can be applied to practice,
• Analyse the legal framework around young people and crime (including the Criminal Justice System), the rationales behind its structure and young people’s experience of it,
• Critically reflect on current discourse, policy and practice around young people and crime,
• Introduce students to the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to work within the Youth Justice system.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES :

Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to: 

• Examine and critically appraise a range of theories which seek to explain youth crime    
• Consider a range of responses and strategies designed to bring about desistance from crime
• Hear visiting speakers from the youth justice field sharing their experiences of working with young offenders
• Articulate a coherent personal position on the effectiveness of current policy responses to youth crime
• Understand how those policy responses impact on a diverse range of young people.

And demonstrate that he/she: 

• Critically understands contexts  in which community and youth workers are employed including the distinctive cultures of third sector and faith organisations, and multi agency approaches
• Is a professional who understands and can articulate their role as educators in relation to other professionals
• Can organise and articulate of opinions and arguments in speech and writing, including justifying a personal position in relation to the subject.

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT :

Component 1 - Pass/Fail Element: 80% Attendance Requirement

Component 2 - 100% Essay (3000 words)

COMMUNITY ORGANISING

(Optional) ywu610

(Optional)

COMMUNITY ORGANISING

ywu610

Module Summary:
This module explicates the tradition of community organising as it has been developed in the United States and its subsequent translation to the context of the UK. It will provide students with the practical tools to be community organisers. The module combines seminars, practical work and group reflection to develop the skills and tools needed to work as a community organiser. Workshops cover the relational meeting; constructing political narratives; doing a power analysis; time management; planning; leadership development; recruiting institutions (and understanding the different traditions practiced by faith communities, the labour movement and the community development movement); campaign strategy; using new media (and workshops on film production); the art of negotiation; developing relationships with power and; creative thinking.

CATS Value: 20

ECTS Value: 10

Contact Hours

Scheduled: 40
Independent: 160 (Guided study 80; Guided research 80)
Placement: 0
Total Hours: 200

Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:
• Knowledge about the tradition of community organising as it was developed and practiced by Saul Alinsky, in 1930s Chicago and as it has since evolved.
• Knowledge and understanding about the key methods and tools deployed by community organisers to effect change and strengthen democracy.
• Produce practitioners pro active and fluent with a range of sociological, psychological and political ideas and apply them to themselves and the young people and communities they work with
• Produce practitioner who can make connections between theory and practice and identifying tensions, issues and theoretical and practice based gaps and actively explore, challenges and works with the complexity of their own and others interpersonal relations, and identities

Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:

• Critically understands the meaning and practice of community and the community-based context for practice
• Critically understands the dynamics of power, empowerment, democratic learning and discrimination
• Critically understands the principles of informal education, conversation, critical dialogue, experiential and situated learning and reflective practice
• Critically understands learning about personal development through group participation and social, political and popular education
• Critically understands contexts in which community and youth workers are employed including the distinctive cultures of third sector and faith organisations, and multi agency approaches
• Critically understands and critique the role of community organisations in contributing to cohesion and integration, contestation and change
• Is an autonomous critical and reflective practitioner
• Is a professional who understands and can articulate their role as educators in
• relation to other professionals
• Have the ability to build trusting relationships and foster democratic and inclusive practice
• Has the capacity to facilitate young people’s and adults' individual and collective learning and development
• Is able to build partnerships with community groups and young people's projects and other professionals in education and in health and social care
• Can reflect on their own and others' value systems and the ability to explore such values
• Can organise and articulate of opinions and arguments in speech and writing, including justifying a personal position in relation to the subject
• Can demonstrate a commitment to the improvement of their own learning and performance
• Can demonstrate emotional literacy.

Assessment:
Component 1: (Gateway assessment) Students on the BA Youth and Community Work route have to attend at least 80% of the taught element of the course unless there are mitigating circumstances negotiated with the Programme Leader (Pass/Fail).

Component 2: 100% Produce a strategy for conducting community organising within an identified community (5,000 words)

CHAPLAINCY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

(Optional) ywu611

(Optional)

CHAPLAINCY WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

ywu611

Module Summary: This module will enable students to enhance their skills and knowledge on the concept of Chaplaincy, locating these within their own values, faith and work context. Students will explore their own faith tradition alongside others and consider the skills needed in the area of pastoral care with young people

CATS Value: 20

ECTS Value: 10

Contact Hours:

Scheduled: 36
Independent: 164
Placement: 0
Total Hours: 200

Module Curriculum Led Outcomes:
This module aims to:

• Ensure the students are able to base their practice as Chaplains on a secure grasp of their faith tradition, holy texts, teachings and rituals
• Acquire a knowledge and practice of key skills that support the mission, ethos and values of pastoral care with young people (e.g. Faith based)
• Develop an understanding of what contributes towards spiritual and human development from a faith perspective.

Learning Opportunities:
Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:

• Demonstrate an informed understanding of key aspects of values, beliefs, teachings and rituals within their own faith
• Demonstrate the ability to carry out the role of a Chaplain in a professional and sensitive manner
• Demonstrate an awareness of a range of opinion on sensitive ethical and practical issues.

Assessment:
Component 1: (Gateway assessment) Students have to attend at least 80% of the taught element of the course unless there are mitigating circumstances negotiated with the Programme Leader (Pass/Fail)

Component 2: 100% Individual Seminar (30 minutes) and Seminar Paper (2,000 words)

INTRODUCTION TO YOUTH STUDIES

(Compulsory) ywu612

(Compulsory)

INTRODUCTION TO YOUTH STUDIES

ywu612

MODULE SUMMARY :

The module will look at the principles and practice of youth work from within a developmental perspective, showing them to be the product of converging social and political trends. This will equip students with the necessary knowledge and awareness to meet present-day requirements while enabling them to developing a strong professional discipline and identity. Understanding the process of change and historical links between youth work and informal and community education, community development, and play work will be explored. There will be the opportunity to critically analyze and deconstruct Every Child Matters and other pertinent social policy drivers. The ability find alternatives to preserve their own values in the face of competing demands from young people, local communities and policy makers. In this way students will also be prepared for some of the recurring themes of the course.

CONTACT HOURS :

Scheduled   : 50.00 Independent   : 150.00 Placement   : 0.00 Total   : 200.00

MODULE CURRICULUM LED OUTCOMES :

This module aims to give students a critical understanding of:

 

• the key principles of youth work, exploring their differing paradigms
• the origins of these principles, there development and how these were formed by the interaction of existing structures, political ideologies, the influence of government (at European, national and local levels), and the voluntary and community sectors
• deconstruct uses of the key drivers in the development of principles and practice
• how to identify, understand and analyse the tensions that exist between principles and practice

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES :

Students will, by the end of the module, have the opportunity to:

 

Knowledge

• Critically understand models and meanings of development through the life course including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects (A3)
• Critically understand the legal obligations and duties of care in safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and promoting good mental and emotional health (A4)
• Critically understand contexts  in which community and youth workers are employed including

 

Specific skills

• Become a professional who understands and can articulate their role as educators in relation to other professionals (B2)
• Have the ability to build trusting relationships and foster democratic and inclusive practice (B3)
• Has the capacity to facilitate young people’s and adults' individual and collective learning and development (B5)
• Is able to build partnerships with community groups and young people's projects and other professionals in education and in health and social care (B6)

 

Transferable skills

• Can reflect on their own and others' value systems and the ability to explore such values (C1)
• Can organise and articulate of opinions and arguments in speech and writing, including justifying a personal position in relation to the subject (C2)
• Can demonstrate a commitment to the improvement of their own learning and performance (C5)
• Can demonstrate emotional literacy.(C6)

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT :

Component 1 - 50% Significant Contribution to online discussion (1000 words)

Component 2 - 50% Essay (5000 words)