MIT works at getting behind closed doors

Monday, 30 April 2007

MIT works at getting behind closed doors of social and community organisations

Manukau Institute of Technology’s Social Sciences department’s new specialist papers on youth work and community development will offer students the opportunity to engage in real-world situations in an open and dynamic forum.

The department aims to work with community-based groups, local schools and youth groups as well as the Department of Internal Affairs, Child, Youth and Family and the police over the course of the 16-week papers, which are part of the Certificate in Social Services. The open dialogue format will allow guest speakers from these organisations to offer unique insight into the workings behind closed doors.

Social Sciences lecturer John Hancox believes the dynamic relationships with these organisations will challenge any assumptions about issues, such as youth alcohol abuse and suicide, that the students may have.

“The emphasis will be on relevance. Through the interaction with people out in the real world our students will have the chance to learn from experts in their field who really know what it’s like out there,” says John.

“They will also be given the chance to speak out, tell their own stories and test out their skills in the classroom. We will be asking them to ‘bring it’.

“The youth work paper will look at young people in a social, cultural and legal context. We’re going to be examining rites of passage and the way young people are discussed and portrayed in the media, while also exploring youth and the arts or creative expression. We’ll look at gay, lesbian, bisexual and disabled youth and the ways in which social access is limited for them.”

The paper will also cover the complex area of youth health with an emphasis on depression and suicide, and examine the ways in which families and whanau can reach out to at-risk youth.

“The relationship with Internal Affairs is going to help us understand the experience of young new migrants. And we will benefit from their established community links and their experience of working with difference as well as their knowledge of event planning as a way of galvanising youth energy.”

The paper on community development will also use the open forum style and give students the chance to explore issues as a group. Input will be provided by groups from different sectors such as non-government organisations, statutory and specialist groups talking about issues such as promotion, the management of change and organisational structures.

Other topics covered include the growth of urbanisation and alternative communities such as the internet community. It will also concentrate on community action and planning in a range of fields from health, employment, art, education and law to minority needs.

The papers will be available from the second semester which begins on 15 July.

ENDS

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