Society in the Mirror of Youth - the Sociological Perspective 2400-OG-EN-SMYSP
The world we are entering is a world of very expansive democratic capitalism, which is full of contradictions. This world - often described in cathegories of postmodernity, late or liquid modernity – is perceived as an imperfect, but still the best of the worlds and the one which no alternative can equal. It is presented in schools, media, politics and marketing as constantly developing and guaranteeing a better and better future. This stimulates the young generation and provokes them into making more and more ambitious life plans. In the meantime however, this democratic and colorful capitalism, to which young people are socialized, has been undergoing a deep crisis and is a big test for young people’s aspirations. Although it is the free market mechanisms which are the sources of the crisis, the claims are usually laid on the state, which is the only visible subject which can be burdened with the responsibility for a badly organized reality. However, state’s intervention in the free market and correcting the effects of the free market game, even with the best inventions, is very difficult and, out of necessity, limited. Most of European countries’ leaders face the same dilemma. In European Commission’s documents and reports regarding the youth development strategy, the youth is treated as a natural reservoir of innovations and changes and at the same time as a social category the future of which (because of economic conditions) is very uncertain and may pose a threat to the stability of a social order. The greatest fears regard the possibility of the emergence of so-called „lost generation” – young, well educated people who are detached from the job market and who devote all their energy to solve their own problems. In order to reduce this threat, wealthy EU countries undertake systemic solutions regarding employment, family life policy and education, which would make it easier for young people to join the main stream of social life. Following the results of such actions makes it possible to draw a conclusion that they are profitable in an economic and political sense: far-sighted leaders know that providing the youth with care is the investment in prosperity of the society.
Total student workload
Learning outcomes - knowledge
Learning outcomes - skills
Learning outcomes - social competencies
Teaching methods
Type of course
Prerequisites
Course coordinators
Assessment criteria
Assessment methods:
- assessment of essay based on a chosen sociological paper/book about the youth in a given country W1-W9, U1-U4, K1-K4
- activity during seminars W1-W9, U1-U4, K1-K4
Assessment criteria:
- level of engagement in discussion during seminars 20%
- invention in looking for data and papers on the youth in one’s own country 20%
- quality of the presentation 60%
fail- below 10 pts (below 60%)
satisfactory- 11-15 pts (60 %)
satisfactory plus- 16-20 pts (65%)
good - 21-25 pts (75%)
good plus- 26-30 pts (80%)
very good- 31-30 pts (90%)
Additional information
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