Young People in Context

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces and critiques the concepts of 'adolescence' and 'health', and examines various frameworks for understanding the phenomenon of adolescent development. The diversity of adolescent experience is explored, and the impact of various socio-environmental contexts of adolescent on young people's health and wellbeing is identified.

Viner, R. (2005), ABC Adolescence, Blackwell Publishing

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• identify and critically reflect on different frameworks for understanding adolescence;
• analyse contemporary theories of adolescence and adolescent development (including historical and cultural contexts and social environments such as school and family) to enhance their own practice in working with young people;
• articulate and critically reflect on different constructions of 'health' and analyse how these perspectives impact on young people's access to health care;
• identify and analyse national and international adolescent health issues and trends and relate these to the broader socio-environmental contexts impacting on the health and wellbeing of young people;
• critically examine life-courses or life-stage approaches to adolescent health and consider how these are impacted ion by social, economic, environmental and diversity issues etc;
• identify strategies for maximising positive development of young people;
• identify the key socialisers in young people's lives (eg. new technologies, mobility and transport, social networks).

On completion of this subject it is expected that students will be able to:

• evaluate and apply different frameworks of thinking, theory and approach when making a decision about a course/s of action;
• identify, analyse and critically reflect on the relationship between context and health that impact on a young person, family, community or professional;
• work effectively in a non-judgmental way with young people, different sectors and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and community contexts.