Unit Outline

This unit examines the position and experiences of young people in contemporary society, and challenges some of the negative discourses that surround 'youth'. It provides an analysis of the social construction of 'youth' and highlights diversity through an examination of youth subcultures. The aims of the unit are: (1) to provide an overview of the ways in which key social structures shape the opportunities available to young people, while also exploring young people's expressions of agency; (2) to examine social division and difference among youth, and (3) to evaluate the role of public policy and legislation in shaping the varied experiences and opportunities available to young people.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Explain key concepts and issues relating to the sociology of youth.
2	Apply relevant sociological theory to critically examine young people’s positions and experiences in society.
3	Articulate your own position on key debates on the position of young people in society.
4	Communicate your ideas in written and verbal form, using appropriate sociological language and concepts.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	25 credit points at Introductory level or higher

Alterations as a result of student feedback

The duration of quizzes has been extended in response to student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Essay	Week 5	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Take home exam	Week 8	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	multiple-choice quizzes	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO1
Assessment Task 4:	Discussion board contribution	Refer to Assessment Description	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Essay

Task Description:

This task aims to encourage your critical thinking about taken-for-granted or common-sense views of the world. You are asked to critically evaluate dominant expectations and constructions of young people and compare them to those that emerge through sociological research and theorising.

See MyLO for more details on requirements for the essay.

The essay is due Monday 25 November.

Task Length:

3000 Word

Due Date:

Week 5 (25/Nov/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answers the question: Engages with the set question thoughtfully and presents a clear answer to the question.	LO1, LO2
2	Understanding: Critically and accurately uses a variety of theoretical, conceptual, empirical and (where relevant) policy materials to address the set question.	LO1, LO2
3	Structure: Recognised essay structure, including a clear argument and logical progression through ideas	LO4
4	Sources: Uses a range of scholarly sources beyond the textbook and recommended readings from the discipline of sociology, along with non-scholarly media sources where appropriate	LO1, LO4
5	Expression: Essay is well written and draws upon appropriate sociological language to identify and analyse the issues.	LO4
6	Referencing: Consistent use of an appropriate style.	LO4

Assessment Task 2: Take home exam

Task Description:

The final assessment item is a take-home, with a mix of concepts and short-essay questions, covering content from across the unit.

The questions for the take-home exam will be provided on Monday 9 December. The take-home exam is due Friday 20 December.

Task Length:

3000 words

Due Date:

Week 8 (20/Dec/2024)

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Answers the question: Engages with the set question thoughtfully and presents a clear answer to the question.	LO1, LO2
2	Structure: Recognised essay structure, including a clear argument and logical progression through ideas.	LO4
3	Sources: Uses a range of scholarly sources beyond the textbook and recommended readings from the discipline of sociology, along with non-scholarly media sources where appropriate (especially for question 2).	LO2, LO4
4	Expression: Essay is well written and draws upon appropriate sociological language to identify and analyse the issues.	LO4
5	Understanding: Critically and accurately uses a variety of theoretical, conceptual, empirical and (where relevant) policy materials to address the set question	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 3: multiple-choice quizzes

Task Description:

Complete two online quizzes made up of 20 multiple-choice questions each. The first quiz will cover content from Topics 1–6 (chapters 1–6 of the textbook and lecture material from weeks 1 to 3). The second quiz will cover content from Topics 7–11 (chapters 7–10 of the textbook and lecture material from weeks 5 to 7).

Quiz 1 is due Friday 22 November. Quiz 1 will be made available on Monday 18 November.

Quiz 2 is due Friday 20 December. Quiz 2 will be made available on Monday 16 December.

Note: The second quiz is due on Friday, 20 December.

Task Length:

2 x 10 multiple-choice quizzes, 30 minutes each.

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description (22/Nov/2024)

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify key sociological perspectives and theories	LO1

Assessment Task 4: Discussion board contribution

Task Description:

Pop culture prompt and discussion board contribution

Task Length:

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Understand and critically evaluate key concepts and issues relating to the sociology of youth	LO1
2	Identify and articulate your own position on key debates on the position of young people in society.	LO2
3	Communicate your ideas in written and oral form, using appropriate sociological language and concepts	LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.