Critical Approaches to Positive Youth Development

YS

210

Critical Approaches to Positive Youth Development

This introductory course is focused on theory and praxis. This course covers psychological approaches to adolescent development, positive youth development theory, community-youth development as well as a critical youth development framework which proposes a shift in status quo for and with young people. Students will be introduced to the breadth of options in the field of youth development, key terminology, as well as best practices in in-person and online youth development programming including but not limited to the importance of relational practice, youth-adult partnerships. Social Emotional Learning strategies, Growth Mindset, trauma-informed/healing-centered approaches, wellness and more. Infused throughout the course is an awareness of how race, class, gender, sexuality, immigration status, disability, and religion (as well as the intersections between various identities) as well as systems designed to maintain white supremacy interplay with young people’s developmental trajectories, how they are perceived and how they are treated. Students will be trained to work with youth to co-create spaces that actively value diversity in its various forms. This course will introduce students to ways of helping not just to build stronger programs for youth but programs that will also actively work to dismantle oppression and cultivate youth power in our broader society.

Fall, Spring

Undergraduate

Yes