Diploma in Arts and Science - Aboriginal Studies

at Langara College Canada

Latin American Studies at Langara College provides an interdisciplinary approach to learning about the geography, culture, history, and political economy of this diverse region. Our curriculum features core courses taught by a team of instructors whose diverse backgrounds enable them to bring unique perspectives to the classroom. Elective courses from a range of departments across the College feed into and enhance our program.
All our courses are university-transferable. Our courses can be taken for general interest, or applied toward the Associate of Arts Degree or the Arts and Science Diploma in Latin American Studies.

A general business management education provides the versatility to work in a variety of management careers. Langara College’s Business Management graduates are the chameleons of the work world and are able to draw on their solid business education to tackle business opportunities and problems. As well, those with an entrepreneurial spirit will gain the expertise to operate their own enterprise. In addition to courses from a variety of business areas including marketing, financial management and international business, students who choose this concentration complete general education support courses.

The Business Management Diploma Program prepares graduates for entry level management positions in small to medium businesses. It is also designed to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the practical skills and knowledge to succeed in today’s tough market place.

In a time of increasing globalization, where human activity is now seen to have far reaching, often adverse, implications for the worlds ecosystems it is essential to have the awareness, knowledge, skill and experience to address these issues.  Environmental understanding, protection and remediation are significant, growing concerns in today’s society.  Environmental Studies at Langara College is an interdisciplinary program within the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. It draws from four critical study areas - biology, chemistry, english, geography – as well as including a number of specific environmental courses.  Elective courses are chosen from a wide range of subjects to suit a particular student’s interests.  A one-week field school is conducted at the end of the second year. 

Family Studies is a two-year program for students interested in the nature of long-term relationships to further career and/or personal objectives. Students can achieve either a Diploma in Family Studies or an Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in Family Studies. The program's interdisciplinary approach provides students with a variety of interpretations of the concept of family from the Social Sciences and Humanities. The core courses set the stage for this exploration by offering sociological, psychological, philosophical, literary and historical perspectives on families in Canada and elsewhere. Guest speakers from academia and related professions enhance the core courses by providing innovative analyses and experiential accounts. Each of the required and elective courses adds to an understanding of the complex issues surrounding the social construction of family. The Family Studies program at Langara College is unique in the B.C. College system.

For those interested in how the world works, in every detail and at the deepest levels, choose the most fundamental natural science – physics. The study of physics includes everything from atoms and molecules, to supercomputers, the atmosphere, planets and the universe itself. Our goal is to help our students learn to apply physics in diverse contexts, and to develop an appreciation for the utility, power, beauty and fun of physics.

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.

The Diploma in Arts and Science requirements allow for considerable flexibility in the choice of courses that a student may complete.  Students can design their curriculum to meet their own needs or interests or to meet the requirements for further study.  In addition to the general Arts and Science Diploma, Langara College offers Arts and Science Diplomas with the following concentrations:

•     Aboriginal Studies
•     Asian Studies
•     Biology
•     Canadian Studies
•     Classical Studies
•     Commerce
•     Environmental Studies
•     Family Studies
•     Health Sciences (Arts)
•     Health Sciences (Science)
•     Latin American Studies
•     Peace and Conflict Studies
•     Women's Studies

The four Langara College programs in Health Sciences offer an interdisciplinary approach to the study of health, illness, and disease in human communities. Health is one of the largest employment sectors in the country, and is anticipated to grow at a faster than average rate. Employment options are diverse, and extend far beyond serving as doctors or nurses.  Upon successful completion, students of Health Sciences programs will have gained a strong basic background in this rapidly changing field.

Students may pursue programs in either an Arts or Science stream, and earn a Diploma or an Associate Degree. After completing an Associate degree program, students may continue their studies at Simon Fraser University’s Faculty of Health Sciences or the University of Victoria’s Health & Community Services program, transferring seamlessly into third year studies.

 Students may also transfer the Diploma or Associate Degree to university in order to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science or in a related discipline.

Digital and Print Publishing is a hands-on program—a one-year, three-term Diploma designed to provide a broad base of experience in electronic and print publishing.

Our graduates have careers in a diverse range of industries, from editors in content marketing and advertising agencies to web designers in leading-edge design firms, and art directors in the fashion industry. Every day, Digital and Print Publishing graduates apply in their careers the skills they learned during our comprehensive,

The Digital and Print Publishing program provides hands-on experience with industry-standard tools:

• HTML & CSS
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• WordPress

Whether you are studying to be an astronaut, accountant, social worker, scientist, marketer, nurse, school teacher, engineer, manager, computer scientist ... almost every career requires mathematics and/or statistics. Mathematics and Statistics are a part of everyday life, from analyzing the stock market to reading the newspaper to trusting the bridge you drive on. Our goal is to help all our students develop a command and appreciation of the power, beauty, utility, and recreational value of mathematical and statistical ideas.

During their time at Langara, most students will register for at least one Mathematics or Statistics course, as a program or degree requirement or out of interest and enthusiasm for these subject areas. Langara offers a wide range of mathematics and statistics courses, many of which are university-transferable and can be applied towards the first two years of a university degree. Some of our courses are specifically designed for students who did not complete math in high school. Langara’s Math and Stats Department has an excellent track record of students successfully transferring to universities such as UBC and SFU. Moreover, our students typically do well in their third and fourth years because smaller class settings, greater number of contact hours, and approachable instructors prepare them for the transition into university.