CHST 1003 [1.0 credit] Introduction to Childhood and Youth Studies
An introduction to multiple approaches to studying childhood and youth through a diverse range of historical periods and cultural contexts. Students will apply an interdisciplinary lens to explore the ways that children and youth have been discussed, researched, and understood.
CHST 2001 [0.5 credit] Experiential Learning in Childhood and Youth Studies
An examination of the philosophies, purposes, methods, techniques, and issues of childhood and youth studies through engagement with children and youth in campus and community settings. Students will make connections to theoretical and curriculum frameworks and current debates and perspectives.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 2003 [0.5 credit] Introduction to Research Methods in Childhood and Youth Studies
An introduction to the foundations of research involving children and youth. Students will learn research paradigms and strategies for designing and conducting research with children and young people. Ethical considerations and the involvement of children as co-researchers will be emphasized.
CHST 2011 [0.5 credit] Children’s Literature
Introduction to the critical study of children’s literature.
CHST 3000 [0.5 credit] Conceptualizing Adolescence in Childhood and Youth Studies
A comprehensive interdisciplinary overview of key issues, research, and theoretical developments in the study of childhood and youth. Students will explore the different and often conflicting conceptualizations of adolescence and examine youth theories and their implications.
CHST 3002 [0.5 credit] Special Topics in Child Studies
Analysis of selected topics relevant to theory, research, and practice involving children and youth. The choice of topics will vary from year to year. Students should consult with the Institute regarding the topic offered.
CHST 3003 [0.5 credit] Theoretical Advances in Developmental Sciences
Developments and advances in theories of human development and their applications. Population-based models of child development, bio-ecological frameworks, and epigenetic theories with emphasis on interdisciplinary frameworks relating to childhood and youth.
CHST 3101 [0.5 credit] Research Seminar
This seminar is designed for students who wish to complete an Honours research project in their 4th year. Students will select a topic of study, investigate methodological and ethical considerations, and implement the key steps involved in designing rigorous research projects in diverse settings.
CHST 3103 [0.5 credit] Critical Approaches to Child Development
A critical examination of philosophical, ideological, and discursive perspectives on childhood and youth. Students will analyze normative constructs reproduced in developmental discourses and research, particularly concerning gender, racism, disability, and oppressive practices.
CHST 3201 [0.5 credit] Children’s Knowledges, Cultures, and Representations
An analysis of the ways children construct social relations through cultures and systems of representations. Students will investigate how children’s knowledges and identities are constructed through their relationships with the world and develop theoretical and practical approaches for working with children from diverse cultures.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 3202 [0.5 credit] Reconceptualizing Early Childhood Education and Care
A study of historical, contemporary, global, and local conversations about the professional field of early childhood education and care and its diverse practices and contexts. Topics may include reconciliation, anti-racist pedagogies, asset-based practices, inclusiveness, caring in context, and critical reflection.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 3203 [0.5 credit] Youth Culture and Activism
An exploration of youth cultures and participation in local, national, and global contexts. Students will examine youth engagement and advocacy, including definitions of citizenship, theories of resistance, the construction of “youth” as a social category, and the impact of technology and social media.
CHST 3204 [0.5 credit] Literary Representations of Childhood and Youth
An examination of the ways in which childhood, children, and youth have been represented in creative literature (fiction, poetry, drama, and/or creative nonfiction).
CHST 3205 [0.5 credit] Race, Childhood, and Youth
An examination of historical and contemporary issues, debates, and methodologies pertaining to the studies of race, ethnicities, and racialization in childhood and youth studies. Students will also theorize the intersectionality of race, racism, racialization, racial and ethnic formations, nationalism, and colonialism in a contemporary context.
CHST 3302 [0.5 credit] Children, Policy, and Practice
An introduction to the concepts of policy and practice and how these are influenced by history, economy, geography, and culture. Topics may include provincial, national, and international economic, social, and educational policies concerning children and youth.
CHST 3303 [0.5 credit] Children’s Rights
This course examines children’s rights from a range of historical, cultural, and global perspectives. Topics may include the rights for Indigenous children, children with disabilities, female, trans and queer children, children in armed conflict and refugees in Canada and transnational contexts.
CHST 3304 [0.5 credit] Disability and Childhood: Transnational Perspectives
Drawing on theory and research in disabled children’s childhood studies, sociology of childhood, disability studies, and girlhood studies, this course examines the discursive and material constructions of disabled youth and childhood in transnational contexts in relation to emerging neo-colonial, neo-imperialist, and neo-liberal ideologies.
CHST 3305 [0.5 credit] Childhood and Youth in Indigenous Contexts
An introduction to indigenous perspectives and contexts, both historical and contemporary, in relation to practice with Indigenous children, youth, families, and communities. Students will explore critical theory and necessary protocols for respectful entry into child and youth care practice within Indigenous contexts.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 3904 [1.0 credit] Service-Learning in Community Settings
Students will learn to apply their knowledge pertaining to children and youth to a policy- or practice-oriented work environment. Students will complete a term paper and other assignments documenting gains in experiential knowledge. Graded SAT/UNS.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 4001 [0.5 credit] Advanced Topics in Child Studies
In-depth analysis of theoretical, empirical, and applied topics related to children and youth in Canada and/or internationally. Topics may include poverty and social inequality, child and youth health, social media and social change. This course is repeatable when the topic changes.
CHST 4003 [0.5 credit] History of ‘The African Child’
Students will analyze the history of the figure of ‘the African child’ using a range of visual, sources from colonial officials, anthropologists, historians, advertisers, charity and development workers, and African children themselves.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 4004 [0.5 credit] Theories of Inclusion in Childhood and Youth Education
An examination of the ways that educational discourses construct and perpetuate marginalization of disadvantaged individuals across historical, political, and educational contexts. Students will explore inclusive and exclusive approaches to education and care and how these discursive and material conditions shape the learning experiences of children.
CHST 4101 [0.5 credit] Children, Youth, and Popular Culture
A critical examination how popular culture, including consumer culture and digital media, mediates the identities, aspirations, and experiences of children and youth. Students will engage in critical dialogue about media culture and ideology and use cultural production to explore counter-narratives to problematic media representations.
CHST 4102 [0.5 credit] Queer and Trans Youth
An examination of the ways that queer and trans youth have been conceptualized in research, media, literature, policy, and education. A range of multimedia sources will be used to explore the ways queer and trans youth are using language to render themselves intelligible.
CHST 4900 [0.5 credit] Independent Study
A reading or research course for students who wish to investigate a particular topic of interest within Child Studies. Normally students may not take more than one credit of Independent Study in their total program.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
CHST 4908 [1.0 credit] Honours Research Project
Interdisciplinary research project for students in the Honours Research Project stream. Projects will be completed under the supervision of the course instructor and a content specialist. Students must contact the Undergraduate Advisor to request approval to register in this course.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity