Module: EDU5105-20 Youth in Society Power, Politics and Participation

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Laura Green

Module Tutor Contact Details: L.Green2@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

What is it like to be a teenager in modern Britain? What would you like to do to make things better? This module explores what it is like for young people growing up in the UK and how services for children and young people affect the transition to adulthood.

This module will provide you with an exploration of changing patterns of youth transitions for example school-to-work, and from family home to independent living. This module also aims to develop your understanding of the ways in which young people and their families in marginalised communities engage with social institutions such as health, education, welfare, law and order and politics.

Throughout the module you will be introduced to the workings of national and local government and how they shape policies and delivery of services in Local Authorities, communities and schools. This module also provides you with an understanding of community-led approaches to social change, including community empowerment, participation, representation and active citizenship. You will decide what you think should be changed to make life better for young people and design your own project to tackle social issues. Throughout both of the assessments you will be encouraged to follow your own interests.

2. Outline syllabus:

Introduction to Politics: How does government work? Historical developments in politics e.g. ‘New’ right; Neo-liberalism; Big Society Discourse; How does local government work? How does it impact on services?;

The concept of transitions: School-to-work; domestic; family. Unequal transitions, impact of social class, ethnicity, gender, ability, sexuality;

Social institutions and youth transitions: Education, Work, Welfare, The Family, Health, Law and Order;

Participation and Representation: Citizenship, Voice, Participation, Representation, Social change or social control?

3. Teaching and learning activities:

The taught sessions of this module are comprised of weekly 2 hour lecture/seminars.

Lectures/seminars will incorporate tutor-led sessions including guest speakers. They will also include student discussion, activities and tasks including library research.

Each week students will be provided with at least 1 compulsory reading on the topic focus of the seminar. The readings should be completed prior to the seminar and will form the basis of some of the discussions for that week. It is expected that these readings will play a large role in informing written assessments.

Students are also expected to carry out a number of tasks in preparation for both seminars and assessments, these include watching documentaries on youth transitions, answering reflective questions on readings and completing directed tasks.

Tutor generated materials will be created on Minerva, pre-seminar tasks and readings will be made available at least 5 days in advance.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Manifesto Speech (2000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Community Investment Fund Application (3000 words)

• % Weighting: 60%