Childhood and Youth Studies

This program focuses on the subject of childhood from an interdisciplinary perspective.  Thus, we look at childhood in sociological, anthropological, historical and geographical perspectives.  We discuss issues such as: what is the meaning of ‘childhood’? What competencies do children have? How is childhood framed in policy discourse, both local and global?  What are children’s views of the world that they live in?  

Topics covered in the program include:

  • The social study of childhood
  • Histories of childhood
  • Children’s rights
  • Advocacy with children
  • Children and the legal system
  • Social policy
  • Working children
  • Children’s everyday lives and social worlds
  • Child poverty

For Ontario high school students a minimum 80% final entrance average is required. Averages are calculated on the top six 4U or 4M credits including English 4U.

College transfer students are required to have a minimum cumulative average of "B" or better in an acceptable one-year certificate (General Arts and Sciences, Pre-Health Science, Human Services Foundation) or completed diploma. College transfer students may earn up to a maximum of five transfer credits. Individual courses must have a minimum achievement of 60% to be considered for transfer credit.

King’s projects a minimum 65% for admission for students transferring from another Canadian University. A maximum of ten transfer credit may be granted. Individual courses must have a minimum achievement of 60% to be considered for transfer credit.

Programs Offered

In first year, there is only one required course for the program.  Students will be able to select their remaining courses from a range of disciplines.

Sample Courses:  

  • Childhood and Public Policy
  • Representations of childhood
  • Children’s participation in criminal courts
  • Childhood advocacy internationally
  • Geographies of childhood
  • Childhood in Canadian history
  • Childhood, citizenship and participation
  • Children in separation and divorce

The CYS program will be of interest to people planning professional or academic careers in:

  • family law
  • social policy
  • social program development (in either government or social service agencies)
  • social work
  • clinical work with families or children
  • education
  • journalism
  • human resource management
  • early childhood education
  • or an academic career in a humanities or social science discipline  with a emphasis on childhood and family studies.

Approximate Costs

Fee details and schedules are available at www.kings.uwo.ca/fee-schedules/

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