Youth StudiesBSc (Hons)

Cultures, Identity and Difference

This module examines the changing pattern of households and family life, work and employment, with a particular emphasis on differences in cultures and identities and how these interlink with social divisions. It addresses causes and patterns of inequality, and the opportunities and challenges of living in a super diverse society.

The module includes significant elements of study skills development, orientation to the university and the expectations of the university and course. The study skills element is embedded in the provision of the module.

The module is taught over 30 weeks and is assessed by workbooks and an essay.

Aims of the module

This module aims to:

1. Introduce students to university life and to the expectations of the course and academic life.

2. Identify changing patterns of households, family life, work and employment.

3. Explain differing patterns on inequality and the socio-political perspectives to issues of community, culture, multiculturalism, social exclusion and social cohesion.

4. Develop student skills in retrieving information, academic writing and presenting information to a range of audiences

Introduction to Working with Young People

This module provides the opportunity for students to develop an understanding of the principles and practice of working with young people and their position in society. Students will learn about youth work policies and frameworks that help shape professional practice; and, issues and social structures that may contribute in shaping the lives of young people and their communities.

Throughout the module, students are encouraged to take into account diversity and anti-oppressive practice, as well as key issues affecting young people and the impact such issues have on youth identities and future youth work practice. Thus, combined with the ethics, values and philosophy underpinning professional practice and students own experiences and knowledge base, this module aims to provide a firm foundation for understanding the ‘youth stage’ and professional practice of working with young people.

The core module aims are to enable students:

• to explore key concepts of values, ethics, theory, policy, principles and practice in relation to youth work;
• to introduce students to the sector’s professional occupational standards and the notion of an informed reflective practitioner;
• to examine youth identities and diverse representations of young people in society;
• to gain an understanding of how partnership and collaborative working can improve youth work practice and the lives of young people, and provide examples of such collaborative partnership work;
• to develop skills in self-management, group work, oral presentation and academic writing; and,
• to critically analyse issues of discrimination and oppression and the effect that these issues have on young people’s lives.

Introduction to communities

Introduction to Communities engages students in the environment within which community work takes place, and to the policy context, particularly in relation to regeneration. This module is a building block for community work skills and knowledge. It introduces students to definitions of community work, its origins and development. The module explores the principles of community development work, drawing on the National Occupational Standards for Community Development. It aims to explore the concepts of Social Justice, Self Determination, Working and Learning together, Sustainable Communities, Participation and Reflective Practice. It is taught over 30 weeks and is assessed through an essay, reflective writing piece and an evaluative report.

This module aims to:

1. Introduce students to the principles of community work, drawing on national occupational standards;

2. Explain the history of community work and the current policy context;

3. Outline the opportunities and challenges of regenerating communities and areas;

4. Explain key concepts such as empowerment, participation, social justice and sustainability; and

5. Enable students to critically reflect on their own work practice.

The anti-oppressive practitioner

This module will embrace the notion of social justice, compassion, and inclusion. This is key to our Education for Social Justice Framework at London Metropolitan University

Rationale:
The rationale of this module is to provide students with an outline of the historical and contemporary approaches to the concepts of race, class, gender, sexuality, disability and other forms of oppressions and how power and the impact on notions of difference, identity, positionality and community has an affect. It will also explore how and when oppression became institutionalised and where it hasn’t been embedded in society supported by a unique philosophy.
It aims to:
● To explore and analyse the impact of the position that ideologies in relation to; race, class, gender, sexualities, age and disabilities etc. are socially and politically constructed with reference to difference, culture / distinction and community.
● Familiarise students with key issues that have practical importance in the lives of young people today, and assist students to reflect upon differences from a local to an international context and of the systems used by different societies to maintain people in a hierarchy.
● To analyse how power is maintained and implemented through normalising issues of compulsory heterosexuality, whiteness, religion and ‘ableism’. It will also explore, compare and contrast cultures where power has not been abused.

Development and Social Enterprise

This module invites students to consider the opportunities and challenges that social enterprise and entrepreneurship offer to communities and community development leaders and practitioners. Students will be required to participate in the planning, initiation and development of a real-world live project, culminating in the presentation of a project proposal. Lectures and workshops will introduce students to theories of project management, including financial planning, and teamworking and enable them to apply this in practice. Throughout the module there is a strong emphasis on reflective practice. Students will be required to critically review their proposal both in terms of internal consistency and external opportunities and challenges (reflection in action). They will also reflect on their contribution to effective teamworking in the development of the project and skills acquired on this module (reflection post-action).

The aims of this module are to:

• Critically understand the role of social enterprise, its strengths and limitations, in relation to community work.
• Identify key benefits and challenges of partnership and collaborative working
• Work with others to research and develop a viable proposal for a social enterprise, demonstrating potential social impact and financial sustainability
• Identify ways in which success / failure can be measured in the context of community action and ethical concerns
• Enhance their employability, particularly within the voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors.
• Reflect critically on issues of diversity, equality and social justice in relation to development and social enterprise.

Principles and Practice of Youth Work

This module provides the student with an overview of contemporary issues that young people are facing and allows students to critically discuss these issues whilst relating them to the principles and practice of youth work. Students will draw on the ethics of youth work and anti-oppressive approaches to link high-quality youth work practice to a range of relevant scenarios found in youth and community work settings. In this respect, the module embraces the notions of social justice, anti-discriminatory practice, compassion and inclusion. This is key to the University’s Education for Social Justice Framework.

The module aims:

1. to introduce students to the professional principles and practice of youth work, where a strong emphasis on the National Occupational Standards for Youth Work (NOS) will be made;
2. to develop students’ skills in establishing relationships with young people in a variety of settings in order to facilitate an environment where young people can make sense of their situation, express their aspirations and plan to meet their needs realistically;
3. to enable students to consider the work with young people in ways that promote equality of opportunity, participation, and anti-discriminatory behaviour;
4. to encourage the students to take a firm stand against discrimination, prejudice, and oppressive behaviour through their practice;
5. to critically look at institutional discrimination and organisational policies and procedures relating to discrimination and oppression;
6. to critically examine their own values belief systems and attitudes and how these impact on their work;
7. to gain an understanding of how partnership and collaborative working can improve youth work practice and the lives of young people, and provide examples of such collaborative partnership work;
8. to explore a range of issues that young people face, as well as factors that exclude young people and barriers to participation;
9. to identify opportunities for students to engage with critical enquiry into and active learning of the experiences of disadvantaged and marginalised groups will make a major contribution to student learning; and,
10. to facilitate and support the student’s growth by encouraging their educational development in informal and planned situations and interventions with young people.

Creative, critical reflective approaches to practice

This module will help you consider the ways that Social Workers, Youth and Community Workers can be creative in the use of ‘self’, reflection and in exploring imaginative new ways of working with people. You explore and learn about a range of creative approaches to enable the development of critical reflective dialogue and support individuals, groups and communities to analyse their circumstances and that issues affecting them, and to search for possible solutions that support growth and change.

Social Workers, Youth and Community Workers who work alongside marginalised individuals, families and communities are required to make difficult decisions and to intervene to support change and improve the circumstances of people’s lives. The social professions require professionals who have a high level of personal commitment, are open-minded and prepared to examine and even change their own attitudes and possible prejudices.

Each encounter with a vulnerable individual, family or community is unique and requires creative thinking about solutions that are specific to that individual, family or community. Ultimately a social professional’s creativity is motivated by and directed to understanding and improving the lives and conditions of marginalised people within society who are in need of support, advocacy and protection. Networking, supporting and championing new ways of meeting need are all creative endeavours, as is the ability to reflect both personally and with others.

Module aims:

• You will develop an understanding of concepts and underlying principles in fostering critical and reflective dialogue
• You will be able to use a range of creative approaches to support individuals, groups and communities to analyse their circumstances and explore potential solutions to issues affecting their lives.
• You will learn how to gather and use the feedback and insights of others to critically reflect on and further develop your own practice.
• You will develop a critical understanding of power and structural oppression and how this understanding can be used to challenge and disrupt inequality in practice

Extension of Knowledge Module

Extension of Knowledge modules allow you to broaden your academic experience by choosing modules that sit outside your core discipline. This opportunity allows you to explore subjects that align with your other interests or will help you to develop additional skills to enhance your degree pathway and employability prospects.

Please note there is no guarantee that all of these modules will be currently available and where a module is listed in both Autumn and Spring it may only be offered in one semester. Please click on the individual module code to check availability. If your programme allows you to choose 2 EoK modules they will appear in Evision as XK0000 and XK0002.

Extension of knowledge modules are available to students whose courses list this type of module as an option. It is also available to Study Abroad students.

Please find below a list of the currently available Extension of Knowledge Modules from which to select your choice.
Autumn Semester Spring Semester
Level 4 Level 4

BC4056 Professional Studies

CY4070 Introduction to Laboratory Skills

LT4059 Music Publishing
CY4080 Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling

Level 5 Level 5

GI5063 Politics of the Middle East

GI5067 Contemporary US Politics

GI5071 Sustainability and Environmental Justice

MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business 1
SJ5053 Scripting Performance for Screen
SJ5079 Styling and Journalism

SM5052 Youth Culture and the Media

SJ5072 Stardom and Performance

SM5063 Social Media Strategies

SS5068 Disability and Inclusion

SS5095 Transnational Communities

GI5071 Sustainability and Environmental Justice

LT5078 Sustainability, Business and Responsibility

MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business 1
SC5051 Youth, Crime and Violence
SM5051 Crime and the Media
SS5K70 Becoming a Teacher

SS5085 Resistance, Creativity and Joy in the Capital

Level 6 Level 6

CU6051 Artificial Intelligence
GI6065 Latin American Politics

SC6051 Serious and Serial Offenders
SS6063 Religion and the State

SS6080 Gender & Education

SS6085 Diverse London

FE6052 Personal Finance

GI6064 African Politics

TR6K51 Interpreting Skills
LT6051 Artist and Repertoire
SC6052 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
SS6054 Human Rights and Conflict
SS6058 Housing Issues & Housing Solution

YEAR LONG (15 credits) - the following modules can only be taken if you are not already taking (or planning on taking) a Work Based Learning module from your course

Level 5

WL5W50 Empowering London: Working within the Community

Level 6

WL6W50 Empowering London: Working within the Community

Sustainability and Environmental Justice

In this module you will have a broad introduction to sustainability, while:

1. Investigating environmental threats including the climate crisis, pollution, and the global biodiversity crisis;

2. Exploring political, social, technological and economic solutions to these problems;

3. Considering systemic environmental inequality along the lines of social class, race/ethnicity, gender and Intergenerationally.

Understanding Gender and Sexuality

This module introduces students to the key concepts and theories relating to the social construction of gender and sexuality and their application to a range of social sectors and issues in the UK and abroad. This module addresses the ways in which gender and sexuality are both constitutive of the social and are established through social structures, institutions and interactions. Drawing on intersectional approach, this module will explain the ways in which theories of gender and sexuality inform the sociological study of the family, work, health, education, crime, the welfare state and politics, media and the body. To this end, the approach to gender and sexual discrimination and inequalities will be made in connection to other forms of social identity, including class, race and ethnicity.

The aims of the module are to:

• Introduce and critically analyse key concepts in the sociological theories of gender and sexuality;
• Understand how the notions of gender and sexuality impact all levels of social structures, social relations and social identities;
• Address the intersections between gender, sexuality and other forms of social identity and difference, including class, race, ethnicity.
• Consider the conceptual framework for the persistence of discrimination and inequalities on the basis of gender and sexual orientation.

Understanding Racism and Ethnicity

Accusations of racism and ethnic discrimination are seemingly everywhere, in the workplace, in the streets, in everyday interactions. You will wonder what is exactly meant by racism and ethnicity, whether this are beliefs about racial and ethnic subordination or it is rather found in social interactions. This module addresses various theories of racism and ethnic discrimination, and critically assess the challenges revolving around the political and social hostile environment against racialised minorities in specific, socio-political contexts in the UK. This module goes beyond the Eurocentric ideas that have dominated sociological thinking and will apply more-diverse and -inclusive theoretical frameworks to the interconnectedness among issues of race, ethnicity, social class, gender, age, drawing on the principles of social justice and empowerment.

Aims. This module will provide key skills and knowledge that will enable you to:

• Analyse critically key concepts including racism and ethnicity as well anti-racism, multiculturalism, Islamophobia in order to develop an awareness of their contested nature.
• Look at these issues in the hostile environment against racialised groups, exploring the meanings ascribed to these terms, historical origins and key examples where these issues have been or remain important in shaping contemporary British society.
• Consider the impact of racist and ethnic discrimination on specific groups, including women, religious and ethnic groups.

Youth in Modern Society: Consumers, Deviants and Rebels

In the current period a plethora of youth resistance actions, movements and subcultures have developed in response to socio-economic deprivation on a global scale. From youth riots to graffiti writers in the UK to the politicised Latin Kings and Queens gang in New York, young people are developing cultural, political and deviant responses to their dispossession and exclusion. In this module we will focus on case-studies and theories of youth social, cultural and deviant resistance over time. Questions of race/ethnicity, class, gender and age will be addressed as we explore the e meanings and representations of youth reactions to industrial and post-industrial societies. This is a an interdisciplinary module which combines the perspectives from sociology, ciminology and cultural studies to address contemporary youth experience.

Youth, Crime and Violence

Academic authors have shown that for centuries adults have expressed concerns about the anti-social and criminal behaviour of young people. In recent times, this concern has centred on rising levels of violent crime by young people and the burgeoning ‘gang, gun and knife crime culture’ in the UK. You will critically examine young people’s involvement in crime and violence.

This module examines key theories for understanding violence by the young and explores the connection between violent behaviour and a variety of social issues such as peer pressure, gender, ‘race’ and ethnicity, and alcohol and substance misuse. This highlights the impact of changing economic, political and cultural contexts from the global to local.

Module aims:

1. Familiarise you with the theoretical perspectives that have shaped criminological thought on violence by young people.
2. Encourage you to develop a critical overview of young people’s engagement in violent crime.
3. Develop your ability to research, analyse and communicate critical and informed arguments relating to the theory, policy and practice underpinning youth involvement in violent crime.

Community and youth dissertation

This module develops students’ research skills further and involves the design, completion and write-up of a supervised, independent research project. This module expects students to carry out small-scale primary research as well as secondary research. It incorporates an on-going self -evaluation written up as a reflective research log and demands considerable time management abilities as well as the deployment of academic skills. In Parallel with the Placement module, the research can be carried out at the same organisation where the Work Placement is carried out. Students also have the choice of a completely different topic.

Aims of the module, you will

1. develop, refine and apply research skills and critical capacities, building on the core research skills developed through the Intermediate level module Researching Community and Youth Issues;
2. undertake independent research in an area of your choice;
3. explore an issue affecting community or youth organisations or communities and carry out a small-scale project using primarily primary research as well as secondary research;
4. explore complex issues which are of importance to communities and /or community organisations and offer your analysis of the findings;

Throughout the above process, you will receive structured supervision and support.

Extension of Knowledge Module

Extension of Knowledge modules allow you to broaden your academic experience by choosing modules that sit outside your core discipline. This opportunity allows you to explore subjects that align with your other interests or will help you to develop additional skills to enhance your degree pathway and employability prospects.

Please note there is no guarantee that all of these modules will be currently available and where a module is listed in both Autumn and Spring it may only be offered in one semester. Please click on the individual module code to check availability. If your programme allows you to choose 2 EoK modules they will appear in Evision as XK0000 and XK0002.

Extension of knowledge modules are available to students whose courses list this type of module as an option. It is also available to Study Abroad students.

Please find below a list of the currently available Extension of Knowledge Modules from which to select your choice.
Autumn Semester Spring Semester
Level 4 Level 4

BC4056 Professional Studies

CY4070 Introduction to Laboratory Skills

LT4059 Music Publishing
CY4080 Laboratory Techniques with Data Handling

Level 5 Level 5

GI5063 Politics of the Middle East

GI5067 Contemporary US Politics

GI5071 Sustainability and Environmental Justice

MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business 1
SJ5053 Scripting Performance for Screen
SJ5079 Styling and Journalism

SM5052 Youth Culture and the Media

SJ5072 Stardom and Performance

SM5063 Social Media Strategies

SS5068 Disability and Inclusion

SS5095 Transnational Communities

GI5071 Sustainability and Environmental Justice

LT5078 Sustainability, Business and Responsibility

MN5W50 Creating a Winning Business 1
SC5051 Youth, Crime and Violence
SM5051 Crime and the Media
SS5K70 Becoming a Teacher

SS5085 Resistance, Creativity and Joy in the Capital

Level 6 Level 6

CU6051 Artificial Intelligence
GI6065 Latin American Politics

SC6051 Serious and Serial Offenders
SS6063 Religion and the State

SS6080 Gender & Education

SS6085 Diverse London

FE6052 Personal Finance

GI6064 African Politics

TR6K51 Interpreting Skills
LT6051 Artist and Repertoire
SC6052 Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism
SS6054 Human Rights and Conflict
SS6058 Housing Issues & Housing Solution

YEAR LONG (15 credits) - the following modules can only be taken if you are not already taking (or planning on taking) a Work Based Learning module from your course

Level 5

WL5W50 Empowering London: Working within the Community

Level 6

WL6W50 Empowering London: Working within the Community

Homelessness and Housing Policy

In this module, you will look at one of the most pressing social issues in the UK today – that of the cost and shortage of housing and of affordable housing in particular. Living in a safe, comfortable and secure home is a human right, essential to our wellbeing. However, it is widely agreed that we have a housing crisis in the UK. This crisis is perhaps especially acute in London but it is a crisis which affects much of the country. Over the past ten years, the cost of housing, including rents in the private rented sector have spiralled while the number of social rented homes has continued to fall and the numbers of people who are homeless or living in temporary accommodation has risen.

In this module, you will look at the scale and at the underlying causes of the housing crisis in the UK. In particular, the module gives an overview of housing policy in the UK and of the underlying power relations which shape housing policy. You will examine why we have a shortage of affordable housing, a growing and costly private rented sector and a collapse of social rented housing. You will also look at how access to housing and the housing market reflects wider social divisions in terms of class, ethnicity and gender. The module places housing and housing policy at the core of our understanding of society, social divisions and social policy.

The module focuses on housing policy and on social housing, looking at the history of social housing in the UK and at changes in housing policy since the 1980s. The module also looks at the growth of homelessness and at the underlying causes of the growing level of homelessness. You will look at homelessness policy, at good practice models of how to tackle homelessness and at the link between housing and poverty and the importance of both housing and welfare policy as instruments of poverty reduction.

By the end of the module, you will:

1. Engage critically with key debates about the scale and causes of the housing crisis
2. Apply social scientific methods to an understanding of the social divisions in access to housing
3. Develop data handling and data analysis skills to collect and analyse relevant data on housing, homelessness and the housing crisis in the UK
4. Examine and evaluate how changes in housing policy in the UK reflects different economic and political ideologies

Housing Issues and Housing Solutions

Housing Issues and Housing Solutions outlines the key issues that face people working in housing, residents and community workers. It will focus on a practical approach to dealing with community-related & housing issues, their causes and solutions. It will examine the rights and obligations of residents and identify good practice in key management areas such as resident involvement, dealing with anti-social behaviour and disrepair. Combined with other modules in the faculty, such as ‘Housing and Homelessness’, this module provides a housing pathway for students wishing to develop or further their careers in this area.

The module aims to:

1. Place changes in housing management in the context of wider social, economic and organisational changes; (A01)
2. Introduce the key practical issues facing housing professionals, and good practice in addressing these issues; (A02)
3. Identify ways in which housing service users and community workers can challenge poor performance and get involved in service improvement; (A03)
4. Examine the benefits and challenges of partnership working in dealing with housing issues; (A04)
5. Explain current discussions on the balance of rights and responsibilities for social housing tenants and other local residents. (A05)

Human Rights and Conflict

You will develop an understanding of the international human rights framework and consider debates and theories challenging this framework (including a critical assessment of the concept and implementation of the universality of human rights). The module will enable you to evaluate various international conventions on the protection of human rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The module will examine violations of human rights in the light of various social and political contexts across the world and gain an understanding of how human rights applies in specific contexts; how such violations impact societies, communities and individuals; and how individuals and organisations work for justice in such harrowing circumstances. In addition, the module will explore issues surrounding cases of historic injustice relating to human rights abuses and atrocities committed in conflicts.

Work Placement for professional development

This module is designed to help students to develop employability skills and through exposure to work experiences related to their discipline through either voluntary or paid work. Students may wish to explore setting up their own enterprise and start up projects. Key aspects of the modules will include gaining first-hand experience of work and the ability to develop and showcase skills to potential employers. The module will include employability skills such as interview skills, job applications and role plays

The aims of the module are to:

• Enable students undertake a work-based placement appropriate to their academic level
• Enable students develop the skills and competences for tackling real life problems in the workplace as they build on and apply current academic skills
• Provide students with the opportunity to reflect critically on their practice-based experience of the working environment
• Become aware of the culture and structure of a working environment and develop new skills.
• Enable students to understand the changing culture, nature and structure of organisations and evaluate implications for effective inter-professional working within a theoretical and practice-based framework.

Students will be contacted prior to the semester to provide support in securing work based activity in good time. Students are responsible for applying for opportunities and to engage with the Module and Work Based Learning teams to assist them. The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team/Work Based Learning Team and all roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements. Those studying on a Student Visa will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work-based learning activity to meet Visa requirements. These will need to be signed by their line manager/supervisor.