Sociology of Youth

This subject is not offered in 2014.

A total of 120 hours

Sociology at Level 1

SOCI30003 Sociology of Youth

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject introduces major sociological approaches to youth. It locates young people's experience in a context of social change with reference to the ways in which school, work, family, gender, class, geographic location and culture shape the meaning of youth in the 21st Century. The subject also examines ways youth is constructed as a social category through policy, discussing contemporary issues such as youth homelessness, citizenship, health, wellbeing and social identities. It focuses on young people's responses to their circumstances exploring ways young people can be understood as social actors. It explores the new ways in which young people approach learning and work and examines their uses of digital communication. On completion of this subject students will have deepened their knowledge of contemporary sociological approaches to youth; have a knowledge of contemporary youth policy, with reference to current Australian debates; and have an ability to critically evaluate areas of contemporary youth policy.

On successful completion of this subject students should:

• have a knowledge of contemporary sociological approaches to youth;
• be able to use sociological frameworks to explore key dimensions of the contemporary youth experience;
• have a knowledge of contemporary youth policy, with reference to current Australian debates;
• have an ability to evaluate critically areas of contemporary youth policy.

A research essay of 1000 words (25%) due mid-semester, a take-home exam (25%) due at the end of semester, and a research essay of 2000 words (50%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% Tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

R. White and J. Wyn Youth and Society: Exploring the Social Dynamics of the Youth Experience Oxford University Press 2004

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On successful completion of this subject students should:

• demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication;
• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing;
• display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of research and of our place as researchers.

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students