Youth and Community Work – (M.A.)

Contents

This course is JNC recognised and has professional accreditation from the National Youth Agency

Modules (all core)

Young People and Social Identities

* The concept of 'youth' and the social construction of childhood in Western thought.
* The problematisation of young people and historical emergence of services for young people.
* The contested concept of `transition´ to adulthood.
* The development of individual identities in social and historical context; and in embodied, biographical subjects.
* Reflection on the notion of identity and its role in contemporary societies.
* Key dimensions of difference among young people, particularly of gender, race, ethnicity, class and sexual orientation.
* Sub-cultural theory and the emergence of post-war youth culture.
* Critique of developmental psychology and of the modernist project.
* Working with people whose identities are stigmatised or devalued.
* Research Methods in Youth and Community Work.

Working in Community Settings

* The meaning of professionalism.
* The rights of young people and Every Child Matters.
* Child protection: principles and responsibilities.
* A professional and ethical code for of youth and community workers.
* What is groupwork?
* Group theory, sociological and psychological roots.
* Group process.
* Interventions in group process.
* A developmental approach.
* Preparing a programme of developmental groupwork.
* Anti-discriminatory practice.
* Use and development of materials.
* Monitoring groupwork.
* Inter-personal skills in youth work.
* Counselling work.
* Advice work.
* Information work.

Managing Professional Practice

This module aims

* to present a coherent and critical understanding of management theory and its relevance and application to day-to-day practice;
* to critically apply specific theory to the management of self, others and organisations so that these aspects of work can be appropriately developed;
* to provide a critical exploration of the concepts of staff development and training and its role in individual and organisational development;
* to examine some of the contemporary trends in occupational definition including inter, trans and multi-agency and partnership work, and their impact on developing, promoting and delivering services to young people and communities.

Joint Assessments

Self Assessments

Dissertation

The nature of the dissertation will vary with the particular specialism, but it is expected that the focus of the study will have relevance or purpose beyond immediate and practical day-to-day problems. The choice will be made in consultation with the dissertation supervisor and, where appropriate, the employer. The dissertation supervisor will make the final decision on the suitability of the research.

Dissertation

Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include:

* Young people and the influence of race in the development of identity;
* Is the concept of community relevant to young people in contemporary society?
* Intercultural experience and its contribution to youth work.

AssessmentAll course modules are assessed by coursework, and students´ informal practise is self-assessed and assessed by a fieldwork supervisor.Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include:

* Young people and the influence of race in the development of identity;
* Is the concept of community relevant to young people in contemporary society?
* Intercultural experience and its contribution to youth work.