Units
Introduction to Youth Services
Unit code: SWB207
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit provides an introduction to human services practice with young people. It gives students an overview from both theoretical and operational perspectives. The various theoretical and popular understandings about 'youth' or 'adolescence' which condition human services provision to young people will be critically explored. Diversity and marginalisation among young people in relation to socio-economic status, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, sexual identity, and geographic location will be examined. The unit briefly overviews contemporary policies, services, and practice frameworks oriented to young people. [SWB207 is incompatible with HHB207]
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
As social work and human service practitioners it is essential to have an understanding of and capacity to critique the range of ways young people are constructed in academic and popular contexts. It is also important for practitioners to have an appreciation of current policies oriented to young people and the nature of the various service delivery systems and programs in operation.
Aims
This unit aims to give students a critical appreciation of the different ways 'youth' is understood in academic, policy and popular contexts, which is of fundamental importance if policy and practice responses and choices are to be understood.
Objectives
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
- critically analyse the various theoretical and popular approaches/ constructions around "youth" and "adolescence" (GVS1 -1.3, 1.6, 1.7, 1.10, GVS2, - 2.3 GVS 3 -3.1, 3.2, GVS 4 - 4.1);
- critically reflect on dominant and emerging human service practice approaches with young people (GVS1 - 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 1.10; GVS3 -3.1, 3.2 GVS4 - 4.1, 4.6);
- critically reflect on the ways diversity and marginalisation impact on young people (GVS1 - 1.7, 1.8, 1.10; GVS2 - 2.1, 2.2, 2.6. GVS3 - 3.1, 3.2); and
- synthesise and apply knowledge of contemporary policies and service delivery systems and programs directed at young people in Australia (GVS1 - 1.5, 1.7, 1.8. GVS3 - 3.1, 3.2. GVS4 - 4.1).
Learning Outcomes link to:
AASW Education and Accreditation Standards: 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1.1, 4.2.2
AASW Practice Standards for Social Workers: 1.1,1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1
AIWCW Core Competencies: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3
Content
The unit provides an introduction to youth work practice and to the contemporary provision of youth services. Major theoretical approaches to understanding young people will be examined. The social construction of `youth' in Australian society will be an area of specific focus. The nature of issues affecting young people will be investigated under the broad headings of:
- health;
- education;
- the labour market;
- accommodation and housing;
- juvenile justice; and
- young people in the context of families.
Contemporary service delivery approaches to young people will be identified, together with contemporary policy and practice issues.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
The unit is conducted through weekly two hour lectures and one hour of small group learning activities such as discussion of readings, reflection on life experience, case analysis, and small group work. Teaching approaches are designed to encourage and support active learning and the development of the skills of critical analysis. Reading, questioning, talking, listening, reflecting, writing and identifying and dealing with problems are integral activities in the learning process. The role of the unit staff will be to promote and scaffold learning. A Blackboard home page will support the unit.
Assessment
There are three items of assessment in this unit: an essay, a tutorial discussion which will be completed in a small group and a reflective journal. The essay and reflective journal are individual assessments; the tutorial discussion is a group assessment.The unit will have both formative and summative assessment. You will have written feedback to the written assignment, the tutorial discussion and the reflective journal. The reflective journal will be submitted in draft for to allow for feedback to assist the development of the final version. In addition generic feedback will be given during lectures.
Assessment name:
Essay
Description:
A written essay considering the representation of young people in the media and the ways this representation reflects popular and academic constructions of young people.
Relates to objectives:
1, 2
Weight:
35%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 6
Assessment name:
Tutorial Discussion
Description:
During weeks 5-12 each tutorial group will discuss their responses to issues experienced by a fictitious young person. Each student will nominate to lead this discussion as part of a small group for one of these weeks.
Relates to objectives:
2, 3, 4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Various
Assessment name:
Reflective Journal
Description:
The third piece of assessment is a 2500 word reflective journal comprising your own thoughts, learnings and reflections on the issues raised throughout the tutorial discussions. It is expected that this reflective journal will also be supported by research. You are to submit the first part of the journal ie reflection drawn from weeks 5-8 by week 9 for assessment (draft worth 10%). This draft will be assessed and returned. The final journal is to be submitted in week 14 (final journal worth 35%).
Relates to objectives:
2, 3, 4
Weight:
45%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Wk 14
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Recommended texts
Nilan, P., Julian, R., & Germov, J. (2007). Australian Youth: Social and cultural issues. Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia.
Sercombe, H., Omaji, P., Drew, N., Cooper, T., & Love, T. (2002). Youth and Their Future: Effective youth services for the year 2015. Hobart: Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies. This is available as an electronic copy on the unit Blackboard site.
White, R., & Wyn, J. (2008). Youth and Society: Exploring the social dynamics of youth experience (2nd ed.). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Key references for each week's topics
CMD readings are on the unit home page.
Other readings are also on the Useful Websites section of the Unit Homepage under topic headings - this is updated regularly.
Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 15-Nov-2012
