Module: EDU6106-20 Young People, Identities and Subcultures

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Laura Green

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

1. Brief description and aims of module:

In this module you will have the opportunity to study how young people’s identities are constructed.  Drawing on sociological and cultural studies approaches we will consider what is meant by the category ‘youth’, explore the social construction of childhood in Western thought and debate the contested concept of ‘transition’ from childhood to adulthood.  We will investigate key dimensions of difference among young people and their social context, for example aspects of class, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation, crime and education. In addition to this we will consider young people’s collective identities or subcultures.  Young people’s subcultures have persistently fascinated the media: from 1960’s Mods and Rockers, to 90’s rave culture, and now current day EMOs, young people’s subcultures have been a focus for attention and very often demonisation.  You will reflect on your own experiences of identity formation as well as media representations of young people to enrich discussion in this module.

2. Outline syllabus:

• Theme 1 Conceptualising Youth:

• Taught sessions (History of youth policy; Youth & Dependence; Youth in Society; Youth transitions)

• Class debate session

• Theme 2 Youth Identities:

• Taught  sessions (Young Femininities; Young Masculinities; Race; Class; Sexualities; Disability)

• 1 x Group Preparation for Assignment 1

• 2 x Group Presentation Seminars

• Theme 3 Youth Subcultures:

• Taught sessions (Culture, subculture & social organisation; Subcultural theory; Youth subcultures-Historical; Youth subcultures- Modern; Hidden & deviant subcultures; Youth subcultures and the media)

• Theme 4 Media Analysis

• Media research workshops

• 1 x Tutorial week

3: Teaching and learning activities:

Lectures and seminars, independent study, critical reading, directed tasks, visiting speakers, debate, media analysis workshops

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description:  Group Poster Presentation

• % Weighting: 40

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Youth Subcultures Media Research Project

• % Weighting: 60