Principles and Practice of Youth Work

Program Overview

This program introduces students to the history, culture, and socio-political background of youth work. It critically evaluates philosophies and practices underpinning youth work and the role of youth workers in contemporary society. Students will explore the nature and purpose of youth work, identify key definitions and principles, and engage with the principles of reflexive practice. The program includes a mix of lectures, workshops, and seminars and is assessed through two 2,000-word essays.

Program Outline

Outline:

• Module Objective: To introduce students to the historical, cultural and socio-political background of youth work and to critically evaluate the philosophies and practices underpinning youth work and the role of the youth worker.
• Module Content: This module assesses the nature and purpose of youth work practice in contemporary society through reviewing youth work's history, development and context within wider society.
It introduces students to the different constructions and meanings of the terms 'youth' and 'youth work', and it reviews the changing subjective experiences of young people in contemporary society.
• Module Content (Continued): The module further explores the tensions and debates within youth work, the ideologies that have shaped its development, and introduces students to the differing operational structures that pertain in youth work (such as clubs, projects and streetwork).
The module presents students with the core theoretical and policy knowledge required to practice in a professional setting.
• Learning Outcomes:
• Trace the historical and contemporary development of youth work within wider social structures.
• Identify and evaluate key definitions youth and of youth work.
• Identify the principles and values that underlie and inform youth work.
• Identify and analyse current issues in youth work practice.
• Outline, analyse and evaluate different models of youth work.
• Demonstrate awareness of youth policy at national and international levels.
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of society’s structural forces in shaping the biographies of young people.
• Engage with the principles of reflexive practice in youth work.
• Critically evaluate the implementation of quality standards in youth work.
• Contact Hours : 48 hours
• (12 x 2hr(s) Lectures; 6 x 2hr(s) Workshops; 6 x 2hr(s) Seminars.)
• The module will be delivered through a combination of on-line and face to face methods subject to Covid 19 guidelines.

Assessment:

• Total Marks: 200
• Continuous Assessment: 200 marks (2 x 2,000 word essays 100 marks per essay).
• Compulsory Elements: Continuous Assessment.
• Penalties (for late submission of Course/Project Work etc.
• ):
• Where work is submitted up to and including 7 days late, 5% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved.
• Where work is submitted up to and including 14 days late, 10% of the total marks available shall be deducted from the mark achieved.
• Work submitted 15 days late or more shall be assigned a mark of zero.
• Formal Written Examination: No Formal Written Examination.
• Requirements for Supplemental Examination: Marks in passed element(s) of Continuous Assessment are carried forward, Failed element(s) of Continuous Assessment must be repeated.

Teaching:

• Teaching Method(s): 12 x 2hr(s) Lectures; 6 x 2hr(s) Workshops; 6 x 2hr(s) Seminars
• Teaching Method(s) (Continued): The module will be delivered through a combination of on-line and face to face methods subject to Covid 19 guidelines.

There is also an application fee of É35.00