Course Title: Youth Work 1: An Introduction to the Field

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Youth Work 1: An Introduction to the Field

Credit Points: 12.00

Important Information:

This course is a prerequisite for Youth Work 2: Field Education 1 (Engaging in Industry), Youth Work 4: Field Education 2 (Working with Industry) and Youth Work 5: Field Education 3 (Working for Industry).


Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HWSS2229

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Michael Emslie

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 8272

Course Coordinator Email: michael.emslie@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 8.10.36

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

 


Course Description

This course provides an overview to the field of Youth Work, and the broader range of roles that a graduate of this program might undertake throughout their career. The course explores the contested nature of Youth Work and its origins. It considers where and for whom Youth Work is practiced, and explores the scholarly, theoretical and professional bodies of knowledge from which it is informed. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes  

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcome:   

  • Apply interdisciplinary bodies of theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom and skills to the scholarship of Youth Studies, praxis of Youth Work and orientation to professional human services. 


Course Learning Outcomes  

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:  

  1. Identify increasingly diverse settings in which Youth Work is practised, and the roles of Youth Work Professionals.
  2. Synthesise and outline the contentious nature of Youth Work in light of history, a changing landscape service contexts and theoretical underpinnings.
  3. Meet the statutory requirements for entering the Youth Work Sector as pre-service training.
  4. Analyse the key functions of workers across the Youth Sector in relation to the relevant policy, statutory and practice stakeholders
  5. Critically evaluate your potential contributions to the field of Youth Work in light of early theoretical and practice understandings


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is facilitated through a series of online and face-to –face seminars and workshops. It begins with a seminar series regarding history, trends and practices of Youth Work, facilitated by RMIT staff and industry partners. The seminars then move to industry settings, which provide the stimulus for your reflection upon what the role of Youth Work and Workers are and could be. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. This includes resources such as weekly readings, assessment supports, requirements for workshop and seminar participation and notes from classes.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes. 

Assessment Tasks

Task 1: Reflection: Why Youth Work? 500 words, 15%, CLO 1, 5 

Task 2: Analysis of descriptions of Youth Work across time and place, 1500 words, 35% weighting, CLO 2,3 

Task 3: Comparative analysis of two Youth Work settings, in light of theoretical and professional bodies of knowledge, 2000 Words, 50% weighting, CLO 3, 4, 5 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment