Youth culture and youth work (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

Students can complete the course according to their own schedule, taking into account the due date for assignments, there are no timetabled webinars.

Objective

The aim of the course is learning to understand the background and role of youth cultures and media culture in the identity work, interaction and the daily lives of young people. You are aware of the tasks and starting points of youth work as well as its forms and methods.

Competences:

Competence in social client work
Critical and Inclusive Social Skills

Intended learning outcomes:

You are able to draw on your knowledge of current youth culture phenomena when working with young people. You are aware of the starting points and tasks of youth work as well as its different forms and methods.

You evaluate the significance of societal phenomena and power structures as well as their impact on the inclusion and opportunities for civic participation of individuals, groups and communities. You promote young people's independent agency as part of civil society.

Content

The core content of the course comprises young people's lifestyles and different cultures, subcultures and countercultures, media culture, digital and social media, mobile phone culture and the use of smart devices. The basic premises, practices, forms and methods of youth work as well as the principles of information activities aimed at young people.

Location and time

Students can complete the course according to their own schedule, taking into account the due dates for the learning assignments.

Materials

Moodle workspace material, documents, videos, links and support material.
Kivijärvi, Kauppinen, Kiilakoski & Leskinen. 2021. HIDASTA KASVUA JA LISÄÄNTYVIÄ VASTUITA. Kunnallinen nuorisotyö Suomessa 2021
Mediakasvatusseura. 2019. Medianuoruus.
Paananen, E, Piiroinen, M & Uustalo, K. 2022. Etsivän nuorisotyön käsikirja. Into-julkaisu.
Salasuo, Mikko (toim.) 2020. Harrastamisen äärellä. Lasten ja nuorten vapaa-aikatutkimus. Nuorisotutkimusseura.
Salasuo, Poikolainen, Komonen. 2012. Katukulttuuri : nuorisoesiintymiä 2000-luvun Suomessa. Nuorisotutkimusverkosto 2012

Teaching methods

Independent online learning and learning tasks with optional activities. The course does not include webinars, but does include interactive assignments on a discussion board.
The use of AI is allowed in this course to support learning and assignments, but it must be explained in the assignments and follow JAMK and Arene's guidelines.

Exam schedules

The deadlines for returning the learning assignments can be found in Moodle at the beginning of January 2026.
The return dates will be in January-March 2026.

Completion alternatives

The course can be credited with previous university-level studies (at least 5 credits) corresponding to the objectives and contents of the course.

Student workload

5 ects credits, 135h:

Online learning 50h
independent study 20h
Learning tasks 65h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1= You are able to describe young people's different lifestyles and cultures. You recognise the role of media culture in young people's interaction. You are able to describe the starting points of youth work. You account for young people's independent agency as part of civil society.

2= You explain young people's different lifestyles and cultures. You recognise the role of media culture in young people's interaction. You define the basic premises and methods of youth work. You account for young people's independent agency as part of civil society.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

3= You present young people's different lifestyles and cultures. You explain the role of media culture and social media in young people's identity work and interaction. You present the basic premises of youth work and give examples of its practices and methods. You promote young people's independent agency as part of civil society.

4= You analyse and differentiate young people's various lifestyles and cultures. You assess the role and significance of media culture and social media in young people's identity work and interaction. You evaluate and interpret the basic premises of youth work, apply the practices and methods of youth work, and are able to assess them. You promote young people's independent agency as part of civil society.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

5= You analyse and evaluate young people's different lifestyles and cultures. You assess and explain the role and significance of media culture and social media in young people's identity work and interaction. You evaluate and interpret the basic premises, practices and methods of youth work and are able to evaluate, apply and develop them. You promote young people's independent agency as part of civil society.