Module Code - Title:
SO6142
-
YOUTH SOCIOLOGY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
To understand and to explore key theoretical perspectives on youth and the youth experience within contemporary contexts.
To critically engage with key examples of empirical research conducted with young
people in a variety of social contexts.
To encourage and to enable critical and analytical thinking about the diverse ways in
which young people are constructed and represented via media, policy and academic
discourses.
To examine the relationship between social theory, methodological approaches,
research methods and ethical considerations.
Syllabus:
This module is focused on the study of young people (middle to late adolescence) in Irish society and addresses a number of critical questions which are rooted in traditional sociological concerns about power, inequality and representation.
In addressing these questions, students will be asked to analytically engage with
theoretical perspectives on youth as it intersects with material categories of social
class, gender, sexuality, race and ethnicity. Young people's experiences and interactions with the key social structures of education, the community, the family
and work; as well as issues around time and space; young people's lifestyles and the existence of gender differentiated cultures will be explored through classic and
contemporary empirical research. Public media and policy representations of youth
will also be addressed in the context of contemporary media discourse which
constructs young people as a wide-ranging social problem.
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the key theoretical approaches to the study of youth and young people.
Demonstrate an understanding of the debates and criticisms within and around these approaches.
Demonstrate an awareness of, and engagement with, key examples of both classical and contemporary empirical and theoretical studies of youth.
Demonstrate an ability to apply a sociological perspective to contemporary media debates about young people across local, national and global contexts.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will:
Develop critical thinking as well as analytical skills.
This will further support the practical sociological knowledge gained across other modules in the students programme of study, impacting on the students attitudes and values in the process.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
In this module we are taking a blended learning approach to delivery. The module will provide the opportunity for students to critically engage in targeted discussion and analysis of a key area of contemporary interest for sociology and their real world applications. This module will be taught through a combination of lectures and self directed learning.
Graduate attributes of critical thinking and collaboration will be enhanced.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Cieslik, M. and Simpson, D. (2013)
Key Concepts in Youth Studies
, Routledge
France, A., Roberts, S., Coffey, J. & Waite, C. (2020)
Youth Sociology
, MacMillan International
Blackman, S. and Rogers, R. (2017)
Youth Marginality in Britain
, Policy Press
Roche, J., Tucker, S., Thomson, R. and Flynn, R. (2010)
Youth in Society
, Sage
Hopkins, P. (2010)
Young, People, Place and Identity
, Routledge
Other Relevant Texts:
Tilleczek, K. (2011)
Approaching Youth Studies.
, Oxford University Press.
Brown, K. (2017)
Vulnerability and Young People: Care and Social Control in Policy and Practice
, Policy Press
Gunter, A. (2017)
Race, Gangs and Youth Violence
, Policy Press
Ilan, J. (2015)
Understanding Street Culture.
, Palgrave Macmillan
Woodman, D. & Wyn, J. (2015)
Youth and Generation: Rethinking Change and Inequality in the Lives of Young People
, Sage
France, A. (2016)
Understanding Youth in the Global Economic Crisis.
, Policy Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MASYCSTFA - SOCIOLOGY (YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL REGENERATIO
MASYCSTPA - SOCIOLOGY (YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL REGENERATION)
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
sindy.j.joyce@ul.ie