Youth and Community Leadership
Students from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas (MSD) High School, Parkland, Florida, planting native trees at Ouruhia Reserve as part of the 2018 Youth Leadership Summit hosted by the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) at UC. Both SVA and MSD students have led youth movements in response to tragedy and have received global recognition.
Qualifications
Overview
Youth and Community Leadership explores national and global challenges that impact youth and other communities, and ways to create meaningful change.
UC students have earned international reputation for their efforts in social activism and volunteering, and our campus is renowned for giving students the opportunity to engage in meaningful work in the community. The Youth and Community Leadership programmes offer real-world development in leadership skills and experience producing social action through UC’s networks and expertise.
Students will examine a range of issues, social movements, and communities that motivate them in this highly inspirational area of study.
- UC has a worldwide reputation for its student activism and engagement in youth-led movements. Our students have founded efforts in natural disaster relief, anti-terrorism, sustainability, and cultural diversity, and our campus has hosted visitors such as Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Dr Jane Goodall.
- UC hosts a number of research and specialist centres focused around leadership, volunteerism, and innovative teaching, such as the UC Community Engagement Hub, the e-Learning Hub, the Professional and Community Engagement programme, UC Centre for Entrepreneurship, and the UCSA’s Student Volunteer Army.
- Many of our graduates have become social entrepreneurs, political activists, and industry innovators, and have been recognised with awards for their contribution to local and global issues.
The programme is open to students from a range of interests or experience in leadership roles. No particular background study is required. A passion for social change, community work, and volunteering is the best preparation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills will be especially useful.
Youth and Community Leadership is the main subject for the Certificate in Youth and Community Leadership and the Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership.
UC also offers a minor in Youth and Community Leadership within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Sport Coaching.
100-level courses
The introductory course YACL 101 Introduction to Youth Leadership: Leading Self (offered in 2020) examines contemporary cultural, philosophical, and sociological views on leadership. The course also explores kaupapa Māori, and includes a visit to a noho marae.
200-level and beyond
At 200-level, the course YACL 201 Social Leadership: Leading with Others (offered in 2020) looks at group and collaborative leadership, and includes a group project with relevance to Aotearoa New Zealand’s bicultural community.
Courses at 300-level develop advanced research skills towards identifying and effectively resolving a social issue, followed by a final capstone project.
Youth and Community Leadership minor
To complete the Youth and Community Leadership minor within the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Sport Coaching, you will need to complete the following throughout your degree:
- YACL 101 Introduction to Youth Leadership: Leading Self (offered in 2020)
- CHCH 101 Strengthening Communities through Social Innovation
- YACL 201 Social Leadership: Leading With Others (offered in 2020)
Plus 30 points from:
- EDUC 206 Education and Society: Ideals and Realities
- CULT 202 Cultural Politics/Cultural Activism
- INOV 290 Enterprise in Practice (Project)
- EDUC 339 Globalisation, Social Justice and Education (30 points)
- YACL 301 Civic Leadership: Leading for Change (offered in 2021)
- YACL 302 Leadership Project: Implementing Change (offered in 2021)
Youth and Community Leadership creates graduates who are both passionate about and have the skills to challenge global issues. Their experience in creating practical solutions for change will prepare them for a wide variety of industries looking for strong leaders.
Graduates from this subject area will be well-suited to managerial positions, work in charities and non-profit organisations, politics, teaching and training, communications, media, and may even become social entrepreneurs.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree from UC.
Contact us
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
Phone +64 3 369 3333
Email educationadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
2nd Floor, Rehua building – see campus maps
Postal address
College of Education, Health and Human Development | Te Rāngai Ako me te Hauora
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
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