SIN FRASER UNIVERSITY

Spring Semester 2004

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EDUC 399

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-4 ?

Susan O'Neill

ST: Positive Youth ?

Development ?

Office: EDB 8665

Phone: 291-4348

Tuesdays

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E01.00

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soneill@sfu.ca

16:30-20:20

PREREQUISITE:

60 credit hours and Educ 220 or Psyc 220 or Psyc

355

This course will provide students with the opportunity to examine the processes involved in positive youth

development. Increasingly, educators are focusing their attention on frameworks that strengthen protective

factors, build competencies, focus on indicators of thriving, and promote positive outcomes among youth in

diverse contexts. The course will consider the multiple pathways that facilitate individuals' healthy

development, well-being, ability to navigate in multiple cultural settings, and make successful transitions from

childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood. In particular, the course will examine a number of

consistent themes in the research literature on positive youth development, and the ways in which educators

can help develop young people's sense of industry and competency, initiative and planfulness, feelings of

connectedness to others and to society, beliefs in their control over their life, and a positive sense of their

identity.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

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To advance students' knowledge and understanding of the key constructs and frameworks associated with

positive youth development

- To critically evaluate the theories and evidence associated with the key processes and outcomes involved in

positive youth development approaches

- To develop an understanding of the ways in which educators can contribute to positive youth development

and promote positive pathways of growth and success

ASSIGNMENTS:

Students will be required to prepare a brief (single page) summary of the weekly readings (together worth

20% of the final grade). Students will also undertake one presentation each and lead a group discussion a on

topic that is related to the course readings (worth 20% of the final grade). Students will also be required to

submit one major paper (20-25 pages, double-spaced pages) on a topic relevant to the course and agreed in

consultation with the course instructor (40% of the final grade), and to give a brief presentation based on their

ideas for the major paper to the class (20% of the final grade). The major paper will be due on the last day of

classes.

REQUIRED READINGS:

Noam, Gil, G., Lerner, Richard, M., Taylor, Carl, S., and von Eye, Alexander (Eds.) (2002).

Pathways to

Positive Development Among Diverse Youth.

(Issue 95 in New Directions for Youth Development). Wiley.

Villarruel, Francisco, A., Perkins, Daniel, F., Borden, Lynne M., and Keith, Joanne G. (Eds.) (2003).

Community Youth Development: Programs, Policies, and Practices.

Sage Publications.