UDYTHSTU - BSc Youth Studies

The BSc (Hons) Youth Studies has been designed to provide an understanding of youth in its social, cultural and political context. It is an integrated and inter-disciplinary programme of study, which comprises of both theoretical and practice-based elements. The course draws on the insights and methodologies of youth and community work, cultural studies, criminology, media studies and sociology and aims to develop graduate attributes of self-awareness, performance in a variety of idioms and contexts, and ethical and creative considerations.

Students undertake a series of taught modules in the key areas of youth studies. The teaching and learning strategies applied throughout modules within the course aim to develop the student’s skills and knowledge and understanding of youth studies. The teaching programme provides the underpinning basis for learning. Student’s thinking and practical skills are developed through complementary activities including lectures, seminars, workshops, on-line educational resources, tutorials and assignments.

The teaching team comprises experienced university staff, who will be able to guide and direct both in-class and independent study. In addition, students are expected to complement formal teaching with guided VLE learning resources and self directed learning and completion of specified assignments. Students are encouraged to use all open spaces of study available to them within North campus.

The course will also promote the student’s self management and a reflective approach to their learning with a view to enhancing their personal and professional development. Students will be encouraged to develop a personal development plan in preparation for employment through reflecting on their learning from the modules.

The aims of this course are to:

• Provide students with a programme of study that is both intellectually stimulating and offers opportunities to explore and examine local, national and global issues and developments that shape young people's lives and life experiences.
• Equip students with practical and transferable skills necessary for employment and further education and research studies
• Develop intellectual and practical skills in the collection, examination, interpretation and understanding of qualitative and quantitative sources relevant to the analysis of the ways young people experience and engage with contemporary society.
• Develop skills of self-evaluation and reflection, critical thinking and communication for the interpretation and analysis of social and cultural issues and problems.

The following learning outcomes incorporate and depend on systematic understanding of the key aspects of the knowledge base of Youth Studies, including a coherent and detailed knowledge of some specialist areas in depth.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Youth Studies

2. Devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Youth Studies

3. Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Youth Studies, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge

4. Manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Youth Studies

5. Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects

6. Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete) to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution or identify a range of solutions to a problem

7. Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences

8. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts

9. Undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Learning outcome 1

Deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within Youth Studies:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues
(I)
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological
Theory (I)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity and Youth
Identities (P)
SS5005 Youth Resistance and Social
Control (P)
SS5033 Working with Children and Young
People in Education (P)
SC5051 Youth, Crime and Violence (P)
SM5052 Youth, Culture and the Media (P)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Context (P)
SS6030 Childhood, Youth & Education (A)
SM6003 Media, Culture & Identity (A)
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Contexts (A)

Learning outcome 2

Devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of Youth Studies:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SS4003 Principles of Community Work and
Regeneration (I)
SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues
(I)
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological
Theory (I)
SS5005 Youth Resistance & Social Control
(P)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity & Youth
Identities (P)
SC5051 Youth, Crime and Violence (P)
SM5052 Youth, Culture and the Media (P)
SS5033 Working with Children and Young
People in Education (P)
SS6030 Childhood, Youth & Education
SM6003 Media, Culture & Identity
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Practice (A)

Learning outcome 3

Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in Youth Studies, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological
Theory (I)
SS4003 Principles of Community Work and
Regeneration (I)
SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues
(I)
SS5005 Youth Resistance & Social Control
(P)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity & Youth
Identities (P)
SS5006 Racism & Ethnicity (P)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Context (P)
SC5051 Youth, Crime and Violence (P)
SM5052 Youth, Culture and the Media (P)
SH5050 Partnership Working (P)
SH6051 Understanding Mental Health (A)
SM6054 Analysing Popular Music (A)
SS6073 Sports, Education and Society (A)
SC6050 Criminology of Pleasure
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Practice (A)

Learning outcome 4

Manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Youth Studies:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SS4003 Principles of Community Work and
Regeneration (I)
SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues
(I)
SS5005 Youth Resistance & Social Control
(P)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity & Youth
Identities (P)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Context (P)
SS5033 Working with Children and Young
People in Education (P)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in
Professional Context (A)
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Practice (A)

Learning outcome 5

Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity & Youth
Identities (P)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Context (P)
SS5032 Working with Children and Young
People (P)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in
Professional Context (A)
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Practice (A)

Learning outcome 6

Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be
incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SS4007 Social Problems and Social Issues
(I)
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological
Theory (I)
SS5005 Youth Resistance & Social Control
(P)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity & Youth
Identities (P)
SS5006 Racism & Ethnicity (P)
SS5032 Working with Children and Young
People (P)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Context (P)
SH5050 Partnership Working (P)
SH6051 Understanding Mental Health
SS6000 Comparative and Global Social
Policy (A)
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Practice (A)

Learning outcome 7

Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SS4003 Principles of Community Work and
Regeneration (I)
SC4000 Introduction to Criminological
Theory (I)
SS5005 Youth Resistance & Social Control
(P)
SS5050 Gender, Ethnicity & Youth
Identities (P)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Contexts (P)
SS5033 Working with Children and Young
People in Education (P)
SH5W50 Partnership Working (P)
SS6030 Childhood, Youth & Education (P)
SC6001 Justice, Punishment & Social
Control (P)
SS6000 Comparative and Global Social
Policy (A)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in
Professional Context (A)
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Practice (A)

Learning outcome 8

Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and
unpredictable contexts:

SW4004 Youth Work and Youth in Society
(I)
SH5000 Ethics and Research in
Professional Context (P)
SS5033 Working with Children and Young
People in Education (P)
SH5051 Self Directed Development Project
(P)
SH5W50 Short Work-based Learning
Placement (P)
SH5W00 Work-based Learning Placement
(P)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in
Professional Contexts (A)
SW6P00 Research and Evaluation Skills for
Professional Contexts (A)
SH6W50 Short Work-based Learning
Placement (A)
SH6W00 Work-based Learning Placement
(A)

Learning outcome 9

Undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature:

SH5051 Self Directed Development Project
(P)
SH5W50 Short Work-based Learning
Placement (P)
SH5W00 Work-based Learning Placement
(P)
SH6W50 Short Work-based Learning
Placement (A)
SH6W00 Work-based Learning Placement
(A)
SH6000 Leadership and Management in
Professional Contexts (A)

N/A

The purpose of the assessments is to reinforce students learning through a structured and time-bound process of reflection, presentation and writing. Students understanding of each of the module aims and learning outcomes will be assessed throughout each module. A range of assessment methods will be used for formative and summative assessment. The forms of assessment have been designed to test students’ knowledge of each of the modules.

Assessment is the responsibility of the academic staff delivering the modules and the teaching team will be responsible for marking.

Students are assessed through a variety of methods including poster and oral presentations, reports, examinations, practical reports and reviews, case studies, mind-maps, seminar presentations and essays. Transferable skills have been embedded in the learning outcomes of the core modules.

In line with the Faculty’s assessment strategy, the course will provide feedback on finished work and redirect that work into providing feedback on draft submissions. Students will be given clear deadlines for handing in drafts and, if they meet these deadlines, will be guaranteed to receive feedback in time to allow them to improve their final submission.

There will be opportunities for students to study for part of their degree in another European country. ERASMUS is part of the European Union SOCRATES programme for cooperation in the field of education. Under ERASMUS the University has student exchange agreements with 16 different European countries

Students must take:

Level 4
• Introduction to Working with Young People
• Social Problems and Social Issues
• The Principles of Community Work and Regeneration
• Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

Level 5
• Youth Resistance and Social Control
• Gender, Ethnicity and Youth Identities
• Ethics and Research in Professional Context

Level 6
• Research and Evaluation Skills for Professional Practice
• Employability and Management in Youth and Community Work

Students develop reflective learning skills within each of the taught modules and across the different levels of the course. At Level 4 students will be introduced to a broad range of learning models of reflective learning and will be encouraged to develop their personal development portfolio (PDP) to critically review their learning experiences, set their future personal and academic goals and evaluate their progress towards these goals.

During Level 5 studies students will build on their understanding of Level 4 core modules and be encouraged to reflect more analytically on their learning of the inter-relationship between theory and practice through a critical engagement with the module content and more challenging resource materials. The assessment and feedback process will further develop their analytical and self-evaluation skills. Students will also continue to build their PDP.

During Level 6 studies students will consolidate their reflective learning particularly through the research-based module, which enables students to develop specialism in a negotiated key area of youth studies. Supervisors will initially assist with the clarifying the terms of the research project, establishing a timetable for the research and subsequent meetings. Supervisors will also direct in regards to background reading as well as advise on report formats, writing and statistical analysis. Students will review their personal development plan in the context of preparing for employment / further research.

Throughout the course students are encouraged to consider the ways in which their learning might be applied to a wider social and vocational environment. Students are also introduced to the facilities available through the careers service.

Throughout the course students are encouraged to consider the ways in which their learning might be applied to a wider social and vocational environment. Students will also be able to take part in debates by expert external speakers.

Graduates have a wide choice of careers within a rapidly expanding array of commercial, public and voluntary sector bodies. Fields of particular relevance include social research, community work, counselling, teaching, youth justice, trainee probation, housing, health, education, welfare rights and drugs services.

You will also be equipped to find employment in a diverse range of career pathways, including market research, media production.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you must have at least:

• for entry in the 2016-17 academic year: 280 or more UCAS points, including at least 180 from two or more A levels (or equivalent, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• for entry in the 2017-18 academic year: three A levels with minimum grades BBC (or a minimum of 128 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• an appropriate Access certificate
• English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent, eg Key Skills Level 2 in Communications or Functional Skills Level 2)

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

We welcome applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications who have relevant experience and can show an ability to study at this level.