This course is based on an informed and critical approach to the academic study of childhood and youth and is intended to reflect both the desires and ambitions of postgraduate students and the philosophical traditions and current developments in the social studies of childhood and youth; it has been developed for postgraduate students or senior professionals interested in specialised or advanced study of childhood and youth; it will, therefore, be of particular interest to those wishing to be or already employed in the children and young people�s workforce; in line with recent international developments in social studies of childhood and youth, this course is transdisciplinary in approach but has a strong emphasis on perspectives drawn from sociology, social policy, geography, anthropology and history; the course is informed by the United Nations Rights of the Child (UNCRC) framework and draws on current methodological standpoints in childhood and youth research that emphasis participation; it is committed to adopting a �child/young person centred� philosophy throughout, and reflects the principles of protecting the rights and interests of children and young people and the increasing importance of participation; the changing conditions of childhood and youth and the ways in which children and young people themselves experience and understand their everyday lives is emphasised.