EDUC 50323 Positive Youth Development and Advocacy
Prerequisites: Students must be Education pre-majors, majors or minors who are working towards a degree in Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies or graduate students in the College of Education. Students working towards related degrees (e.g., social work, child development, All-levels certification in Music Education, Middle and Secondary education, etc.) may enroll in the course with instructor permission. The focus of this course is on positive youth development (PYD) theory and advocacy strategies. Positive youth development is a theoretical perspective and tool of practice that focuses on the strengths and assets of youth in order to support them and advocate for them on their paths to well-being and contribution in their communities. Students in the course will also be introduced to critical positive youth development theory and youth participatory action research (YPAR), both of which aim to lift up youth power and voice as tools to create their own thriving and support the health of their communities. Students will engage in field work as a component of this seminar course. This course is designed for Youth Advocacy and Educational Studies majors and College of Education graduate students, especially, but will be of interest to anyone who wants to support youth on their path to thriving.