166-083 Sociology of Youth & Youth Policy

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Usually two First Year Sociology subjects.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject introduces major sociological approaches to youth, and explores ways youth experience interacts with the state through examining youth policy. The subject locates the youth experience in changing forms of socialisation, with reference to school, family, gender and sexual identities. It examines ways youth is constructed as a category of policy, discussing contemporary issues such as youth homelessness, health and legal issues. It focuses on young people's responses, exploring ways young people can be understood as social actors. On completion of this subject students should have a knowledge of contemporary sociological approaches to youth; have a knowledge of contemporary youth policy, with reference to current Australian debates; and have an ability to critically evaluate areas of contemporary youth policy.

Assessment

Written work totalling 4000 words.

Prescribed Texts

• J Wyn & R White, Rethinking Youth. Allen & Unwin 1997.
• A McRobbie, Feminism and Youth Culture. Macmillan 1991.
• C Griffin, Representations of Youth. Polity 1993.
• P Dwyer, Opting Out: Early School Leavers and the Degeneration of Youth Policy. National Clearing House for Youth Studies 1996.