Bachelor of Arts in Childhood and Youth Studies (formerly Childhood and Social Institutions)

The Childhood and Youth Studies (CYS) department focuses on often-overlooked child competencies, with questions about our understandings of childhood, and an exploration of the changing status of children and childhood in Canada and internationally. We take a critical view of the social institutions around childhood, such as the home, schools, and the legal system. Issues of children as advocates, children’s rights and children’s agency feature prominently in our courses. Students will deepen their knowledge in the subject area and will gain skills in critical thinking and social and historical analysis, as well as understanding how childhood is experienced by children.Courses and topics in the CYS department are focused in two core areas: rights and advocacy, and law and policy. Students can draw from either or both areas to extend their knowledge.