SCY2121

Sociology of youth

Not offered in 1999

Neville Knight

8 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Caulfield - Prerequisites: First-year SCY sequence or equivalent

Objectives Students in this subject will develop an overview of the recent history of how youth have been regarded in western society; an understanding of perspectives expressed by different authors writing about youth; the ability to identify and evaluate different views on issues relating to youth; competence in articulating arguments orally and in written form on a variety of topics concerning youth; and an awareness of the implications of policy decisions affecting youth, made by government and non-government agencies.

Synopsis In this subject the following topics will be examined: meanings of the terms 'youth' and 'adolescence': youth culture and subcultures; styles in youth subcultures; youth as a social problem; theories of delinquency; a social history of some youth subcultures; youth, the family and homelessness; youth suicide; peer-group interaction and heterosexual relationships in adolescence; types of leadership in youth work; the education of youth in schools; and youth employment and unemployment; youth and leisure.

Assessment One seminar paper (2000 words): 30% - One essay (2000 words): 30% - Test (2 hours): 40%

Prescribed texts

A reader will be available from the department at Caulfield
Frith S The sociology of youth Causeway, 1984 (available from the department at Caulfield)
Wyn J and White R Rethinking youth Allen and Unwin, 1997

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