Associate of Arts in Canadian Studies

at Langara College Canada

Our Advanced Game Technology program is designed to provide you with all the skills needed to pursue a career in programming for video games. You will be given a full introduction to all aspects of the game development process, after which you will dive into the amazing depths of the technology behind video games. This program is designed for students with a background in programming and will prepare them to move into a career as a programmer in the interactive entertainment or simulation industries.

Leveraging the strength of the curriculum and new facilities in the heart of Vancouver's animation district at the Centre of Entertainment Arts, the Continuing Studies Diploma in Advanced Game Technology supports students through a two-year, full-time program that allows students to dive deep into topics such as game programming, engine programming and network programming.

In today’s evolving knowledge-based economy, individuals with the practical ability to apply social sciences and humanities knowledge are sought after assets.

The diploma in Applied Social Sciences and Humanities (DASSH) combines a set of core courses with elective options that give students a critical foundation to enter today’s workforce and to transfer successfully into degree programs in social sciences and humanities. The DASSH curriculum is selected to be applied and transformative. DASSH combines theoretical, experiential, and technical learning that is a foundation for any knowledge-based career whatever degree program in social sciences or humanities a student may choose to pursue.

DASSH students acquire technical skills through courses in digital media, software use, and financial literacy, including working with an external client on an applied project in the final semester. Graduates are able to demonstrate to prospective employers the practical value of the skills and knowledge gained through their course of study. The DASSH diploma program chooses core Social Sciences and Humanities courses that are required for success in a variety of career areas including business, law, journalism, government, communications, public administration, the non-profit sector, and information technology and management.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of the Applied Social Sciences and Humanities diploma program, students will be able to:

• Communicate information effectively for a variety of audiences and purposes using appropriate format and tone through structured written, oral, and visual presentations 
• Use social science, psychological, and humanities knowledge to identify and think critically about social interpersonal and technical issues, problems, and challenges 
• Accurately represent, interpret, and explain data in graphs, spreadsheets, and reports 
• Produce, read, and interpret financial statements and plan budgets using appropriate methods, tools, and technology
• Find and evaluate information sources for credibility, reliability, and logic using a variety of platforms and formats 
• Evaluate and apply basic research methods 
• Apply knowledge of ethical theory and decision-making models to identify and analyze ethical issues and problems and work toward solutions
• Effectively use digital media and software for communication, collaboration, research, data collection, organization, and analysis 
• Acquire and use governmental, economic, business, cultural, and historical knowledge to make informed decisions 
• Explore, connect, and apply concepts and methods across multiple fields to evaluate and improve systems and processes 
• Work collaboratively to identify problems, implement solutions, and achieve common goals

The Library & Information Technology Program has maintained its currency and competitiveness amid rapid technological advancement. Our graduates are highly skilled in today’s essential computer applications as well as specialized library management systems. We teach students important skills for developing search strategies for library databases and open resources on the internet. Students also learn how to catalogue, maintain, and retrieve print, digital and non-print resources as well as specialized media including film, maps and photographs.

Our students have the opportunities to practice what they have learned by completing two practicum placements in the community during their studies. Our graduates are successfully employed in public, academic, or special libraries such as medical, law, corporate and governmental institutions. Library technicians hold supervisory positions or work cooperatively with librarians and other professionals to manage information resources, from helping people retrieve information and materials, to records management for technology-based businesses.

Students come to the program from various socio-cultural and age groups. They carry with them various forms of educational achievements and professional backgrounds, which gather together as they meet many challenges put forth by their instructors and fellow students.

Library & Information Technology students learn about:

• Library history and new directions
• Reference and reader’s services
• Customer services
• Library programs
• Supervisory skills
• Electronic and digital information storage and retrieval
• Acquisitions and technical services
• Subject analysis and classification
• Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC)/Resource Description Access (RDA) for print and non-print media
• Business computer applications
• Automated library systems
• Web applications and social medias

Langara's Certificate in Arts & Science (Engineering) is a BCCAT articulated program providing courses to match the first year of engineering study at the University of British Columbia. Those courses satisfy the UBC Faculty of Applied Science requirements for engineering transfer classification when completed in the regular 2-semester academic year.

At Langara, the Certificate in Arts & Science (Engineering) can serve as the first year towards a Diploma in Arts and Science or an Associate of Science Degree. The certificate is awarded upon completion of the courses with a minimum CGPA of 2.5, which must be earned in a period of no longer than five consecutive semesters.

Langara College’s two-year (four-term) Diploma in Criminal Justice prepares students for a variety of careers with public and private agencies in the field of law enforcement. It is primarily designed for those seeking an entry-level job in the field. However, individual courses may be available from time to time to non-program students at Langara College and to those who wish to upgrade their knowledge and skills from the field. It is designed to be taken full-time, but may be taken part-time with departmental permission.

Students learn about how the Canadian criminal justice system functions and the underlying theoretical concepts determining its operation. Students learn about Canada’s legal system and the rule of law. Students will examine historical and contemporary issues in policing, corrections and the expanding role of private security in Canada. Students will also learn about common research methods used in criminology and how multiculturalism and diversity impacts on the criminal justice system.

Our Advanced 3D Animation program is designed to provide you with comprehensive 3D animation skills so that you are prepared and confident to enter production-ready roles upon graduation. Shaped for students with an established background in art, this program prepares students for a rewarding career through expert-taught courses, interactions with and feedback from industry representatives, and a program curriculum crafted to develop artists into skilled and specialized professionals ready to launch their own journey into digital production.

Leveraging the strength of the curriculum and new facilities in the heart of Vancouver's animation district at the Centre of Entertainment Arts, the Continuing Studies Diploma in Advanced 3D Animation supports students through a two-year, full-time program that offers a comprehensive coverage of core practical and artistic skills. In addition to training students for a career after graduation, the program enables students to hone their strengths and shape a specialized professional focus.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is a degree program for students interested in careers in the fields of Accounting, Business, International Business or Marketing. It is student-centred, and its primary aim is to give graduates real business skills - the skills that employers are looking for.

The BBA Accounting concentration includes the requirements necessary to maximize exemptions for the professional accounting associations (CGA, CMA, CA).

Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary field in which graduates can find careers in science, global health, or public policy, or can continue their studies in graduate school.

When successfully completed, the general and specific requirements of this diploma will prepare students for entry into the third-year of Simon Fraser University's BSc in Health Sciences.

Students interested in pursuing SFU's BA in Health Sciences may also want to consult this Calendar for the Associate of Arts Degree in Health Sciences or the Diploma in Arts and Science (Health Sciences: Arts). Students may also want to consult this Calendar for details of the Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences.

Langara offers a wide range of first- and second-year courses in the fields of science and mathematics. Students benefit from lower tuition rates and smaller class sizes as compared to larger universities. Whether students are planning to transfer to earn their BSc, or simply wish an Associate of Science degree or other diploma, many of the requisite courses are available at Langara.

The Chemistry department offers courses from introductory and preparatory, to first year and second year University transfer courses. Second year studies include analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. Students benefit from our well equipped laboratories and dedicated teachers.

The Chemistry program at Langara College offers an Associate of Science Degree (Area of Concentration: Chemistry) The A.Sc. can be used as an exit degree or as the first credential in a longer academic program. SFU and UBC give admission priority to students with an A.Sc.

The Aboriginal Studies Program is an integrated university-transferable program that addresses historic and contemporary Aboriginal issues in Canada. The Aboriginal Studies Program is unique and comprehensive. The program welcomes all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

The program strives to empower its students through education. The program encourages each student to reach their full potential through a unique, diverse and comprehensive approach to post-secondary education.

The curriculum content provides students with a thorough understanding of the historic and current circumstances of Aboriginal life in Canada and internationally and looks to the future at such issues as Aboriginal self-government and economic self-sufficiency. Equal emphasis is placed on developing analytical skills, critical thinking and communication skills, as well as laying a solid foundation for additional educational pursuits.

A unique and integral aspect of the Aboriginal Studies Program is the seminar component. Program students and faculty participate in the seminars equally. The purpose of these seminars is to expose the students to and stimulate discussion on topics that may or may not be covered in the classroom. The seminars also promote and foster a sense of community among students and faculty. This sense of community provides support for the student on many levels and provides an atmosphere for frank and open discussion.

Langara College's Aboriginal Education Policy
To increase the success rates of Aboriginal students and to increase the representation and retention of Aboriginal students, Langara College implemented the first formal Aboriginal Education Policy in British Columbia. The policy sets in motion an education and employment equity program which:

• Is committed to increasing the participation and success rate of Aboriginal Learners to the National Average (a provincial advisory committee reported (1989) that 3% of the Aboriginal Population pursues post-secondary education, compared with 15% of the general population);
• will ensure the involvement of Aboriginal representatives in any decisions affecting Aboriginal Education;
• will provide full opportunity and support for Aboriginal students to achieve their academic potential;
• recognize the need to recruit and employ Aboriginal personnel in faculty, staff and administrative positions.