This course has been specifically designed to provide a two-year initial professional qualifying course for graduates and other well qualified individuals, who wish to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in youth and community work. Professional qualification is attained after two years and by completing a third year of flexible study on a dissertation, participants can gain an MA.Entry RequirementsA good first degree or appropriate professional qualifications or experience. Course AimsThis course has been designed to provide a two-year initial professional qualifying course (JNC recognised) for graduates and other well qualified individuals, who wish to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in youth and community work. By completing a third year of flexible study on a dissertation, participants can gain an MA. Attendance is one day each week, together with two study blocks. Participants will be employed in youth and community work as full-time or substantial part-time or voluntary workers in either a statutory or voluntary situation. Day-to-day work practice is incorporated into the ongoing programme work.Course ContentThis course is JNC recognised and has professional accreditation from the National Youth AgencyModules (all core)Young People and Social IdentitiesThe concept of 'youth' and the social construction of childhood in Western thought. The problematisation of young people and historical emergence of services for young people. The contested concept of ‘transition’ to adulthood. The development of individual identities in social and historical context; and in embodied, biographical subjects. Reflection on the notion of identity and its role in contemporary societies. Key dimensions of difference among young people, particularly of gender, race, ethnicity, class and sexual orientation. Sub-cultural theory and the emergence of post-war youth culture. Critique of developmental psychology and of the modernist project. Working with people whose identities are stigmatised or devalued. Research Methods in Youth and Community Work.Working in Community SettingsThe meaning of professionalism. The rights of young people and Every Child Matters. Child protection: principles and responsibilities. A professional and ethical code for of youth and community workers. What is groupwork? Group theory, sociological and psychological roots. Group process. Interventions in group process. A developmental approach. Preparing a programme of developmental groupwork. Anti-discriminatory practice. Use and development of materials. Monitoring groupwork. Inter-personal skills in youth work. Counselling work. Advice work. Information work. Managing Professional PracticeThis module aims to present a coherent and critical understanding of management theory and its relevance and application to day-to-day practice; to critically apply specific theory to the management of self, others and organisations so that these aspects of work can be appropriately developed; to provide a critical exploration of the concepts of staff development and training and its role in individual and organisational development; to examine some of the contemporary trends in occupational definition including inter, trans and multi-agency and partnership work, and their impact on developing, promoting and delivering services to young people and communities. Professional Work with Young PeopleJoint AssessmentsSelf AssessmentsDissertationThe nature of the dissertation will vary with the particular specialism, but it is expected that the focus of the study will have relevance or purpose beyond immediate and practical day-to-day problems. The choice will be made in consultation with the dissertation supervisor and, where appropriate, the employer. The dissertation supervisor will make the final decision on the suitability of the research. DissertationRecent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include: Young people and the influence of race in the development of identity; Is the concept of community relevant to young people in contemporary society? Intercultural experience and its contribution to youth work.AssessmentAll course modules are assessed by coursework, and students’ informal practise is self-assessed and assessed by a fieldwork supervisor. Recent examples of dissertations by students taking this course include: Young people and the influence of race in the development of identity; Is the concept of community relevant to young people in contemporary society? Intercultural experience and its contribution to youth work.