Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Psychology and Social Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Principles of Youth Work

• Unit Code

  YWK1101

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit will introduce students to the core principles of what it means to be a youth worker. Primary definitions of youth work as a professional practice will be explored, as well as the varying ways that core principles of youth work practice translate into programs in different ideological and practical settings. This will include principles regarding how the conflicting interests of different stakeholders are to be managed. The unit will survey a number of methodologies used by youth workers, and explore how the relationship with the young person can be constructed differently in each.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Articulate and operationalise a coherent definition of youth work as a professional practice.
2. Articulate the nature of the professional relationship, including the conception of the young person as the primary client.
3. Demonstrate through discussion a critical understanding of the principles underlying youth work practice.
4. Demonstrate through discussion a working knowledge of the appropriate content and use of different approaches to working with young people.
5. Describe the nature of professional relationships and the nature of the youth work relationships in particular.
6. Discuss definitions of youth work.
7. Discuss the responsibilities involved in engaging the young person in their social context.
8. Outline a range of contemporary methodologies and the ideological and contextual basis of such methodologies for working with young people.

Unit Content

1. An introduction to the youth affairs field, including the principal government structures and funding programmes, the diversity of agencies, philosophies and practices, and peak bodies and other networks.
2. Code of ethics and young people.
3. Familiarisation with core practice models.
4. Familiarisation with the variety of contexts of youth work.
5. Methodologies of youth work practice.
6. The changing context for youth work practice, including competitive tendering, corporatisation and entrepreneurial youth work practice.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, practitioner interviews and workshops. Field participation. Students will be introduced to the Learning Advisor workshops and Library skills workshops.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Jeffs, T., & Smith, M.K. (2005). Informal Education: Conversation, Democracy and Learning. Derbyshire: Education Now Publishing Cooperative.
• Jeffs, T., & Smith, M.K. (2005). Informal Education: Conversation, Democracy and Learning. Ticknall: Education Now.
• Irving, T., Maunders, D., & Sherington, G. (1995). Youth in Australia: Policy, administration and politics: A history since World War II. Melbourne: Macmillan Education.
• Banks, S. (2010). Ethical issues in youth work (2nd ed.). London: Routledge.
• Martin, L. (2002). The invisible table: Perspectives on youth and youthwork in New Zealand. Palmerston North: Dunsmore Press.

Journal References

• Youth Studies
• Young People Now
• Youth and Society
• Youth and Policy
• Youth Studies Australia

^ Mandatory reference

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