Soc 377: A1 Sociology of Youth

Spring 2023
MW 1:00-3:50
Bus 2-09
Instructor: Dr. Jeffrey Brassard
Office: HM Tory 1-62D
Office Hours: By Appointment
Email: jrbrassard@ualberta.ca

Course Format: This course is offered in person

COURSE PREREQUISITE:

This course has no prerequisites

Past or Representative Evaluative Course Material Available

Example exam questions will be discussed in class prior to each exam

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The comparative analysis of youth in various types of societies, with special emphasis on Canada, the United States
and the United Kingdom including investigation of social structures and processes influencing the behavior of
young people.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

By the end of the term, you should be able to

● Describe the role “youth” plays in structuring social expectations and experiences
● Describe major historical and contemporary sociological concepts and theories that apply to
studies of youth
● Discuss the impact of families, education, work, sexuality, peers, crime, religion, health, and
technology on the lives of young people.

COURSE MATERIALS:

1
 Tyyskä, Vappu. 2014. Youth and Society, 3rd Edition: The Long and Winding Road. 3 edition.
Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press Inc. (Optional)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Midterm 1 33.3% May 24

Midterm 2 33.3% June 5

Final Exam 33.4% June 16 (tentative)

EXPLANATORY NOTE ON COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Each of the exams will cover one-third of the course material. Exams will be made up of 6 Short answer
questions. Sample questions will be made available on eclass prior to the exam.

Exams will be written in class on eclass. Exams are open book. Each exam will be 1.5 hours.

Course Format

This course is in person

GRADING:

Marks for graded course requirements are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also
assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from all graded components
produces the final letter grade for the course. Marks for grades are not curved or scaled. Grades will not
be rounded up.

Letter % Pts Descriptor

A+ 95-100 4.0
A 90-94.9 4.0 Excellent
A- 85-89.9 3.7
B+ 80-84.9 3.3
B 75-79.9 3.0 Good
B- 70-74.9 2.7
C+ 66-69.9 2.3
C 62-65.9 2.0 Satisfactory
C- 58-61.9 1.7

D+ 54-57.9 1.3 Poor

D 50-53.9 1.0 Minimal Pass
F 0-49 0.0 Fail

ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND MISSED GRADE COMPONENTS:

2
Since presence at lectures, participation in classroom discussions and projects, and the completion of
assignments are important components of most courses, students will serve their interests best by
regular attendance. Those who choose not to attend must assume whatever risks are involved.

Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as
a result, consult the Attendance section of the University Calendar.

Absence from Term Work

Students are required to contact me within two working days following the missed exam (or as soon
as you are able, with regard to the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence. Excused absences
are not automatic and are at my discretion. Below is a list of acceptable documentation to support an
absence:

● For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:

o “University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but
must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents).

● For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit
documentation appropriate to the situation. This could include the following:

o For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate

o For a religious conflict – a letter from the church or pastor

o For a car accident – a copy of the accident report

o For other serious afflictions – consult the Instructor or Department about appropriate
documents

Policy for Missed Term Exams:

Students who have an excused absence from a mid-term will be required to write a make-up
exam. For a make-up exam, the student is required to write an equivalent exam at a time set by
the instructor. If the student does not write the assigned make-up exam at the prescribed time, a
raw score of zero will be assigned for the missed term exam

Absence from Final Exam

A student who has missed a final exam because of incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe
domestic affliction or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and
Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief) may apply for a deferred exam. Where the
cause is incapacitating mental and/or physical illness and most other cases including severe domestic
affliction, a student must present supporting documentation pertaining to the absence to their Faculty

3
office within two working days following the scheduled date of the exam missed, or as soon as the
student is able, having regard to the circumstances underlying the absence.

I cannot approve or deny requests for deferred final exams. Refer to the Absence from Final Exams
information provided in the Attendance section of the University Calendar for full details.

Date of Deferred Final Exam: Students approved for a deferred final exam will write or make
arrangements with the instructor.

ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES:

If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me know during the
first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If you are not already registered
with Accessibility Resources contact their office immediately (1-80 SUB; Email arrec@ualberta.ca;
phone 780-492-3381).

LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and
study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate
behaviour that undermines that environment. The Department urges anyone who feels that this policy
is being violated to:

• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or

• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is inappropriate or

threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.

For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the Office of the Student
Ombuds . Information about the University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and
Procedures is described in UAPPOL.

REQUIRED NOTES:

Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty.
Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold
the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves
with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/)
and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism,
misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence
and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”

Audio or Video Recording

“Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching

4
environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the Instructor or as a part of
an approved accommodation plan. Student or Instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or
used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or
distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).”

Course Outline Policy

"Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and
Grading
(https://calendar.ualberta.ca/content.php?catoid=34&navoid=10107#evaluation_procedures_an
d_grading_system) of the University Calendar."

LECTURE SCHEDULE:

Tentative Subject and Reading outline (subject to change)

Week Topics Readings

Week 1 May 8-10 Concepts, History of Youth Tyyskä Chapter 1 & 2 Postman
Intro, Chapter 1-4 (link via
eclass)
Week 2 May 15-17 Families and Socialization & Tyyskä Chapter 3 & 4
Education
Week 3 May 24 Work (Midterm #1) Tyyskä Chapter 5 & 6
Week 4 May 29 & May 31 Sexuality & Religion and No readings Pew Research &
Spirituality Smith (eclass)

Week 5 June 5 (Midterm #2) -7 Crime & Technology Postman Chapter 5 - 8

Week 6 June 12 - 14 Youth and Technology , Turkle (eclass) Twenge (eclass)