This course introduces students to some of the key concepts used to understand the lives of young people. Drawing on the work of influential social scientists, practitioners and utilizing up-to-date empirical studies, the course seeks to promote an understanding of the changing lives of young people in a wide range of contexts including education, employment and unemployment, dependency and family relations, youth cultures and lifestyles, identities, values and beliefs, health and health related behaviours, crime and politics and civic engagement.

One evening per week

70% - Essay

30%- Presentation

To enable students to understand and critically examine a range of ideas relating to the interpretation of social change and their application to the lives of young people and young adults in contemporary societies. Students will engage with the work of some key theorists and become familiar with empirical research pertaining to the changing lives of young people in advanced societies.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

Critically examine and evaluate a range of contemporary social theories;

Analyse and articulate the complex interplay between theory and empirical research

Identify the key ways in which young people's lives are changing;

Recognise the trends in youth policy in the UK and other advanced societies;

Demonstrate critical thinking and dialogical skills.

In order to do this successful students will need to:

delineate, from a critical review of the literature an issue of strategic importance to their field of concern

adopt and demonstrate an ethical approach to the research process and to research materials

develop from such a strategic issue a series of researchable questions which will act as the conceptual basis of the research

develop a research strategy, whether historical, philosophical or other, which is adequate to the research questions

develop rigorous methods of engagement with research material which are adequate to the research strategy

analyse research material in a manner consistent with its nature and the research questions posed

draw conclusions from the research process which are rooted in the research and are in proportion to its scope

reflect critically, in the light of the conclusions of the research, on the literature and, as appropriate, on professional experience or other relevant context where appropriate, arguing priorities for future development

present a text which conforms to the remit and guidelines for completion of the dissertation.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.