Childhood and Social Institutions

As part of Interdisciplinary Programs the CSI program combines a unique focus on identifying often overlooked child competencies, a constructive questioning of existing understandings of childhood, and an exploration of the implications of the changing status of children and childhood in Canada and internationally.  We take a critical view of the social institutions around childhood – the home, the school, the legal system, the educational system, etc.  Students will engage with a variety of courses which offer opportunities to deepen their knowledge in the area and will gain skills in critical thinking and social and historical analysis as well as understanding how childhood is experienced by children.  Issues around children’s rights and children’s agency are a prominent feature of our courses.

There are two certificate/diploma programs associated with CSI, open to any student at King’s who meets admission requirements.  The Certificate is for those currently registered in a degree program, while the diploma is for those who have already graduated.

Cert/Dip in Childhood and the Justice System:  There have been significant changes in the legal status of children in Canada within the past decade with respect to both civil and criminal law.  This program examines those changes and what they imply for court practices and procedures as well as the supports that are required in order to implement the new legal developments.

Cert/Dip in Advocacy and Childhood: Child advocacy is a growing field within Canada.  Child and Youth advocacy offices have been established in each province, and many agencies working with children and youth have advocacy activities.  In keeping with our understanding of future trends in advocacy this program examines ways of increasing appropriate forms of child engagement in advocacy environments while meeting mandated child protection and provision requirements.          

Opportunities for international student exchange

We have exchange agreements with Malmö University in Sweden and with the University of Winchester in England. 

Potential career paths

Many of our students take further studies after graduation (for example, in the health field, in Law, etc.) and many go on to study education. Other potential careers include professional careers in social policy, social work, or academic careers.

Topics covered in the program include

• histories of childhood
• changing images of children and childhood
• children and media
• children's geographies
• children's social worlds
• peer relations
• children, work and labour
• children's rights
• family and child poverty
• the politics of childhood
• children and the legal system
• family and childhood social policy

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Student Testimonials