Course List

This is the first of three core YDEW courses which focus specifically on developing effective and reflective practitioners. It is followed by YDEW2000 in Year 2 and YDEW3000 in Year 3. This course introduces students to the foundations of the profession by exploring the theoretical principles which underpin the concept of youth and youth development work through an exploration of the history of youth development work with special reference to the evolution of practice in the Caribbean. The course will examine definitions and labels attributed to youth including child, youth, juvenile, adolescent and young person and will highlight issues affecting special categories of youth. By engaging in study on the contemporary status of Caribbean YDW, students will understand the significance of professionalisation and competencies, the roles and responsibilities of the youth worker, the dynamics of working with youth individually and in groups, special ethical issues and current institutional values and organisational structures for YDW in the Caribbean. It will introduce students to the rights-based approach to youth development.  Students will begin a Learning and Professional Development Journal outlining their professional goals and objectives, which they will use and update as they progress through their programme.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

The course will provide an opportunity for the student youth worker to position young people within Caribbean societal structures and understand the influence of social institutions on youth personal development. Students will engage in critiques of societal views and stereotyping of youth and will critique the development of youth culture and youth sub-cultures vis-à-vis violence, sexuality, technology, music and culture. Students will learn and apply skills in working with youth groups with specific reference to supporting positive identity formation among young people through practical group assignments involving young people who are associated with a diversity of sub-cultures. It will also reinforce the role of rights-based approaches to youth development by helping students understand the principles of human rights, including issues of equality, equity and freedom from discrimination, and apply them to youth development work. Students will engage in debates on issues within the contemporary Caribbean context which impinge on the rights agenda including socio-cultural constructions and responses to race, class, gender and religion.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0614: Design, develop and support the implementation of  community youth development programmes

YDWCYP0724: Manage implementation of youth peace building agenda

YDWCYP343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

This course is the second of the core YDEW courses. It will support students in building competence in reflective practice by helping them to understand the youth sector. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding and working with youth-led organisations and assisting with the personal development of youth leaders. This course requires practical application and students will be asked to develop a mock personal development plan for a young person in need of support in a given area (based on case study provided by instructor). Students will be required to amend and update their Learning and Professional Development Journal by monitoring their own progress towards achievement of YDW competencies through the Level II period of study, and to make notes about the sectors in which they would like to work and plan for the additional skills and competencies required to pursue their career in that area.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0674: Promote a culture of occupational health and safety in youth development work

YDWCYP0323: Assist young people with their personal development plans

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

This course will explore the main debates and issues of concern in Caribbean youth development work. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the complex interrelated themes of development which impinge on youth development and be able to offer a critical analysis of current youth affairs with respect to issues such as: globalisation and migration, the sociology of poverty and socio-economic development (education and unemployment), gender and sexuality, public health, crime, violence and citizen security, environmental protection and sustainable development, and sports and culture. Students will explore youth culture and youth sub-cultures in conducting their analysis of contemporary development issues and will be required to formulate recommendations and strategies to address youth development concerns.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0604: Design, develop and support the implementation of HIV/AIDS, STIs and related programmes

YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth

YDWCYP0724: Manage implementation of youth peace building agenda

YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work

YDWCYP0694: Promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people 

YDWCYP0764: Design, develop and support the implementation of new opportunities for the development of young people

YDWCYP0373: Promote environmental protection and sustainable development

This course requires yearlong practical application of research skills learned at Level 1 of study.  In Semester 1, it will build on the generic skills in social research acquired at Level I by introducing students to methods in Participatory Action Research (PAR) which are specific to working with various age groups of youth. Students will pay attention to ethical issues related to working with child participants (under 18 years old) and youth with special needs. It will also reinforce the statistical methods learnt at Level I. Students will be required to demonstrate proficiency in research design and proposal writing. They will begin a literature review and preparation of methodology for their youth research project. In Semester 2 students will focus on data collection, analysis and reporting of their findings which will be compiled in a final year research report.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0634: Manage research projects   

YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

The course builds on the rights-based approach to youth development through a focus on the tools which can be applied to protecting and supporting the right of youth to participate in decision-making at all levels of society in matters which affect their lives. It will expose students to methods and strategies for assessing the needs and considering the protection of the rights of special vulnerable groups such as indigenous, differently-abled and other minority groups. Students will explore the relative merits, shortcomings and principles of approaches to youth-adult partnerships, youth leadership, mentorship and peer mentorship. Students will explore the principles underpinning advocacy for youth participation and the design of programmes for soliciting youth views on development issues and for youth mentorship.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills

YDWCYP0614: Design, develop and support the implementation of  community youth development programmes

YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work

YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances

YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

This course will help students to develop specific managerial skills in order to display leadership in the implementation of youth projects and programmes and in youth organisations. Students will be introduced to different styles of leadership and management, tools for human resource management, motivation and team building. They will learn about theories of management in relation to self-management, time management, and management of resources including budgeting and monitoring expenditure. They will also examine principles of organisational behaviour and develop skills in managing change and encouraging adaptability in the working environment.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0634: Manage research projects

YDWCYP0664: Coordinate the implementation of youth development work projects

YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth

YDWCYP0724: Manage implementation of youth peace building agenda

YDWCYP0754: Coordinate the implementation of youth development programmes

YDWCYP0624: Optimise resource mobilisation opportunities to support youth development work

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

The course engages in discussion of issues of health promotion among youth and youth workers. Students will be introduced to the concepts and principles of health, safety and well-being. They will learn to advocate for healthy lifestyles among youth and in the work place, paying special attention to Caribbean issues related to sexual reproductive health and STIs including HIV/AIDS, mental health and occupational health and safety.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills

YDWCYP0604: Design, develop and support the implementation of HIV/AIDS, STIs and related programmes

YDWCYP0674: Promote a culture of occupational health and safety in youth development work

YDWCYP0684: Develop and implement protocols and procedures to safeguard the welfare of young people in youth development work

YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth

YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances

YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

This course will engage students in a study of the significance of a sustainable livelihoods approach to development in issues of socio-economic development for youth. It will explore issues related to building social and human capital for youth and discuss specific strategies for increasing youth employability, employment and entrepreneurship. It will also discuss the role of the business community in youth development through corporate social responsibility programmes. Special emphasis will be placed on promoting a culture of professionalism and entrepreneurship among youth. Student youth workers will also be able to identify business services available to youth in their countries.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills

YDWCYP0694: Promote a culture of entrepreneurship among young people 

YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances

YDWCYP0343: Promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner

The course will introduce students to the main tenets of sustainable development and the relationship with principles of sustainable environmental management. Students will engage in debates on current environmental concerns such as the international climate agenda. They will learn how to raise awareness among youth about sustainable development, support the formation of youth environmental networks and advocate for youth participation in environmental decision-making.

Competencies:

YDWCYP0614: Design, develop and support the implementation of  community youth development programmes

YDWCYP0564: Apply advanced advocacy skills

YDWCYP0714: Manage the promotion of healthy lifestyles among youth

YDWCYP0744: Design, develop and support the implementation of programmes to enable young people to address their circumstances

YDWCYP0764: Design, develop and support the implementation of new opportunities for the development of young people

YDWCYP0373: Promote environmental protection and sustainable development 

YDWCYP0493: Work as an effective and reflective practitioner