YES 02: Critical Debates and Comparative analyses

Faculteit—

NiveauMaster

Studiejaar2026-2027

Beschrijving

Course goals

YES 02. Critical Debates and Comparative Analyses
Course goals. Upon finishing this course, you will have:

Knowledge of the main conceptual paradigms and related strategies that are useful for examining the field of Youth, Education and Society in one of these domains: Youth Policy, Education & Prevention (YES), Pedagogy & International Development (YEP), or Education For Inclusive Societies (EFIS).
Awareness of and understanding of the consequences of these different conceptual and theoretical perspectives to apply them in practice and make comparative analyses (in relation to one domain, YES, YEP or EFIS).
The ability to argue and critically debate about these different conceptual frameworks (in relation to one domain, YES, YEP or EFIS).
Become aware of your own epistemological and normative position frameworks (in relation to one domain, YES, YEP or EFIS).
Developed the ability to compose your own written position and argumentation in a position paper (in relation to one domain, YES, YEP or EFIS).
Been able to demonstrate that you can develop, present, and give education regarding one of the conceptual frameworks (in relation to one domain, YES, YEP or EFIS).

Content

Short description
This course offers theoretical perspectives (paradigms) for studying social educational issues and teaches you how to apply those in order to make the connection between scientific research, policy, and practice. Before the course you will have to choose one of the three track choices, namely: Youth Policy, Education & Prevention (YES), Pedagogy & International Development (YEP), or Education For Inclusive Societies (EFIS). You will work the entire course with students from your track choice with a lecturer that is an expert in that domain. For each domain you will focus on different
paradigms that are defined as theoretical perspectives, or a set of coherent ideas or a philosophy of education that helps us to understand the field and informs our professional actions in it. In addition, you will learn to take a global perspective in the domain you have chosen. The relationship between theory and practise is at the core of the course. During this course connections will be made with the YES 01 course.

The course consists of:

reading articles and answering questions (online and during the course)
preparing an educational activity regarding a specific paradigm or article
critically debate and comparing course literature during the sessions.
writing a position paper and giving feedback to other students

Grading
Active participation during debates, giving feedback on a paper of a student and preparing an educational activity are pre-conditional for getting a grade. You need to be present at least 5 lectures. You will be graded based on a written position paper in which you need to apply the course literature in relation a self-chosen topic related to your domain.

Short description of the three domains:
The PID seminar on Pedagogy & International Development explores optimizing youth and child development across cultures from scientific, professional, and policy perspectives. It addresses interrelated themes like health, care, and education, focusing on improving youths' living and educational conditions. Special groups, such as child soldiers and immigrant children, are examined alongside Western and non-Western developmental differences. Participants will critically assess various approaches to international collaboration, exploring their own epistemological stance.

The YEP (Youth Policy, Education & Prevention) seminar examines youth wellbeing, education, and care within welfare societies, focusing on modern parenthood challenges in an individualized society. It contrasts community-based approaches—emphasizing social systems to support youth—with pathology-focused perspectives, evaluating community programs as alternatives to professional care. Through critical pedagogy, participants analyze the role of scientific research in informing youth policies, contrasting evidence-based methods with views that frame youth care as moral and political practices.

The EFIS (Education For Inclusive Societies) seminar explores rising tensions between ethno-cultural groups in schools and similar domains. Participants gain theoretical and practical knowledge to address issues like polarization, inequality, stigma, and inclusion within educational and youth welfare settings. The seminar emphasizes methodologies for conflict resolution, diversity management, and minority support, with a focus on self-reflection as researchers. Students engage in discussions, learn intervention strategies, and write position papers on relevant societal challenges.

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