Course Catalogue

Module Title: SOCS 351 SOCIOLOGY of Youth

Credit Value: 12

General Objectives:

This module will focus on youth and examine issues that affect youth and their transition to adulthood from a sociological perspective. Theories on youth and youth culture will be explored along with critically examining what it exactly means to be a youth and analyze youth policy. The module will primarily focus on youth in Bhutanese context with comparison with other countries.

 

Learning Outcomes:

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

  • Examine society’s influence on each generation of youth from sociological perspective.
  • Appreciate the impact each generation of youth have on their generation and society.
  • Explain the theoretical perspectives on adolescence and the implications for both individual behaviour and public policy.
  • Identify the “coming of age” and other life cycle experiences (over the life course) that adolescent throughout the ages share in common.
  • Trace the chronological development of "teenagers" as a social phenomenon with special subcultures and social problems.
  • Discuss how institutions, socialization (family, peers, school and the mass media) and other social factors influence and control youth culture

 

Teaching and Learning Approach Used:

This module will be based on interactive and students are actively participating both during the lecture class and tutorial class. Ideas will be presented and students will be expected to think critically about these ideas. Method of teaching will include weekly readings and discussing key ideas in the class. Video clips and documentary films will be used as per the requirement of the topics discussed in the course. There will be three hours of lecture and an hour of tutorial classes each week.

 

Assessment:

Continuous Assessment:                               60%

            Class Test (2):             20%

            Assignment:               25%

            Participation:              5%

            Presentation:               10%

 

End of Session Assessment:                           40%

            Final Exam:                40%

 

Subject Matter:

  • Youth Studies - What is “youth”? Historical perspective; life stages;
  • Theories of youth, youth culture and youth deviance
  • How should the study of youth be approached?
  • Education, Institutions and Social Reproduction – identity and ideology; Capital theory and education of youth; class and social reproduction;
  • Mass education; transition to work; community and family; peer networks;
  • Identity and Global Youth – Social identity and opportunity; identities and social context; youth and globalization
  • Political Participation and Other Forms of Engagement
  • Politics, Policy, Action and Social Change

 

 

Reading List:

Furlong & Carmel. (2007). Young people and Social Change: New Perspectives. Open University Press,

 

Bolland, J.M., et al. (2001). Hopelessness and violence Among Inner City Youths. Maternal and Child Health Journal, Vol. 5, No. 4.

 

Dasen, P. R. (2000). Rapid Social Change and the Turmoil of Adolences: A Cross Cultural Perspective. International Journal of Group Tensions, Vol. 29.

 

France, A. (2008). Risk Factor Analysis and Youth Questions. Journal of Youth Studies, Vol. 11.

 

Henry, D.B. & Kobus, K. (2007). Early Adolescents Social Networks and Substance Abuse. Journal of Early Adolescents, Vol. 27, No. 3.

 

Husak, D. N. (2003). The Criminalization of Drug Use. Sociology Forum, Vol. 18

 

McMorris, B.J., et al. (2007). Prevalence of Substance Use and Delinquent Behavior in Adolescents from Victoria, Australia and Washington States, U.S.A. Health Education and Behavior, Vol. 34 (4)

 

Thompson, M.P., Ho, C., & Kingree, J.B. (2007). Prospective Associations Between Delinquency and Suicidal Behaviors in a Nationally Represented Sample. Journal of Adolescent Health, Vol.40.

 

 

 

 

Date:  November 2008