Overview

Choosing to pursue a minor in Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies can be a transformative decision for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping the lives of young individuals and families. This minor offers a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on insights from child and youth care, early childhood studies, and other relevant fields, providing a comprehensive perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by children and families in contemporary society. Students engaging in this minor gain valuable insights into child development, family systems, and the social, cultural, and economic factors influencing well-being. Whether one aspires to work directly with children and families or simply desires to be well-informed and empathetic in diverse interpersonal contexts, a minor in Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the complex landscape of holistic human development and relationships.

This 18-credit minor offers a comprehensive examination of critical themes related to children, youth, and families, emphasizing essential factors such as relationships, resiliency, diversity, wellness, family dynamics, interprofessional learning, and quality of life.

Program Requirements

The Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies Minor is available to students in eligible degree programs. All students in the minor must complete prerequisite course CYCW 100 or equivalent. The minor requires 18 senior-level credits. Students are limited to a maximum of nine credits (three courses) from within one discipline to fulfill their minor requirements. Students are further limited to a maximum of six credits (two courses) from sociology courses.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Specific Minor Requirements
CYCW 340	Social Justice with Children, Youth, and Families	3
CYCW 466	Advanced Child and Youth Care Practice with Families	3
ECCS 310	Images of Children in Society	3
ECCS 440	Professional Practices: Ethics, Caring and Social Activism	3
Choose six credits from the following:		6
CYCW 200	Child/Youth Care Methods I: Current Trends
CYCW 201	Supporting Mental Health for Children, Youth, and Families
CYCW 205	Family Systems and Dynamics
CYCW 206	Child/Youth Care Methods II: Therapeutic Interventions
CYCW 339	Applying Developmental Theory to Practice
CYCW 350	Law and Social Services
CYCW 360	Abuse and Neglect
CYCW 461	Addictions and Recovery
CYCW 465	Advanced Child and Youth Care Practice with Community Groups
ECCS 260	Family and Community Issues
ECCS 355	Inclusion and Equity in Early Childhood
ECCS 360	Families in Global Context
ECCS 425	Advanced Practice in Early Learning and Indigenous Families
INTD 200	Disability as an Aspect of Human Diversity
INTD 230	Working with Sexual and Gender Minority Children and Youth
INTD 250	Introduction to Indigenous Perspectives
or ANTH 250	Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada
or INDG 250	Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada
SOCI 271	Introduction to the Family
SOCI 377	Youth, Culture and Identity
SOCI 470	Advanced Topics in the Sociology of Families
SOCI 477	Advanced Topics in Youth
Total Credits		18

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Engage in professional conduct across contexts.
   1. Make decisions ethically.
   2. Engage in self-reflection to appraise one's own attitudes, skills, and knowledge.
   3. Develop and articulate a child and youth care professional identity.
2. Critique, integrate, and apply theoretical frameworks.
3. Utilize effective communication across contexts.
   1. Employ verbal, non-verbal, and written communication in professional contexts.
   2. Employ therapeutic communication skills with children, youth, and families.
4. Plan, facilitate, and evaluate therapeutic interventions with children, youth, families, and communities.
   1. Use relational and developmental approaches.
   2. Engage purposefully within the lifespace.
   3. Intentionally employ activity-based interventions.
5. Assess and respond to contexts that shape professional practice, such as but not limited to law, legislation and regulations, addictions, mental health, abuse and neglect, and sustainability.
6. Evaluate research from child and youth care and other related disciplines.
   1. Employ foundational research skills.
   2. Integrate research into professional practice.
   3. Contribute to emerging child and youth care scholarship.
7. Engage in professional practice that preserves, promotes, and advocates for social and economic justice.
   1. Respond critically to forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination.
   2. Examine self in an intersectional framework.