Diploma in Visual Art

at Red Deer Polytechnic Canada

The two-year University Arts Diploma offers students the opportunity to learn about the issues and people shaping their world through a holistic approach to knowledge that is interdisciplinary in emphasis and chronologically broad in its topics. Students are able to determine their futures through a focus on general University Arts, which allows students to concentrate on a particular area of interest within the Humanities (English, History/Classics, Philosophy) and Social Sciences (Anthropology, Communications, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) or through one of three thematic specializations—Global Perspectives; Science and Society; Culture, Societies, and Gender—that centre on timely themes and subjects. With a choice of pathways, resulting in a University Arts Diploma, students are able to concentrate on what matters to them while gaining transferable knowledge and skills that will give them a leg up in an ever-uncertain future. In an age where intricate problems do not respond to traditional solutions, the ability to think beyond disciplinary boundaries, offer critical analysis, craft well-considered assessments, supported by adaptive thinking in pursuit of solutions, will be the foundation for students’ further educational goals or employment aspirations.

Please note: all students apply to the University Arts Diploma. Following Admission, students may, if they choose, declare a specialization in Year 1 or Year 2 prior to graduation. Specializations are noted on transcripts. Students who choose not to specialize, or who do not meet the requirements of a specialization, will graduate with the same University Arts Diploma (without a specialization noted on their transcripts).

Program Outcomes

• Recognize the provisional nature, inherent complexity, and ambiguity of knowledge.
• Acknowledge a variety of critical and theoretical approaches to local and global issues and identify the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches.
• Engage in scholarly inquiry, both independently and collaboratively, to identify and investigate questions of a theoretical and applied nature using appropriate disciplinary methodologies and sources.
• Integrate knowledge and perspectives across disciplinary boundaries.
• Demonstrate intellectual integrity and academic accountability.
• Recognize reasonable objections to positions one endorses and to the arguments one uses to support their own position when presenting oral and written arguments.
• Acknowledge the diverse social, cultural, and historical forces that shape identities and values and examine personal and cultural diversity.
• Analyse and interpret historical and contemporary events, texts, and data within disciplines.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices.

The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at Red Deer College is a four-year degree program.  The program emphasizes contemporary concepts in biology and practical scientific skills applicable to both field and laboratory settings.  Students registered in this program will explore topics ranging from the level of molecules and cells to that of organisms, communities, and populations.  The Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences is intended to prepare graduates for employment in biology-related fields or for continued education within graduate programs or at professional schools.

Program Outcomes
At the end of this program, graduating students will be able to:

• Demonstrate competency in analytical methods.
• Assess critically one's own strengths and weaknesses in relation to areas of study and future growth.
• Develop and conduct a scientific research project using appropriate management tools, research tools, and methods.
• Communicate scientific knowledge and results clearly and succinctly through oral, visual, and written formats to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrate collaborative, independent, and inclusive attitudes and practices integrating multidisciplinary perspectives and approaches.
• Demonstrate professional conduct in all aspects of individual and team-based work.
• Construct and implement creative solutions to problems that impact society by drawing from scientific and multidisciplinary theories, principles, and methods.
• Evaluate scientific questions using the knowledge and skills from the biological sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences.
• Integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into scientific study with the recognition of indigenous histories, practices, and relationships.

Graduates of the four-year Bachelor of Education program (University of Alberta) and the five-year combined degree program (University of Alberta and The University of Lethbridge) are eligible to apply for Teacher Certification in the Province of Alberta and all other provinces. RDC offers up to two years (60 credits) of transferable coursework in these programs.

Your educational experience is further enhanced through active participation in the Education Undergraduate Society (EUS). Membership in this society entitles you to attend conferences, conventions and other activities of the Alberta Teachers' Association.

History is the analysis of the human past. Courses are offered in three main areas: Canadian, European and British. RDC special interests include Western Canadian history, British Empire and Commonwealth, Modern British social history and Modern Europe. First year courses include Classics, Medieval, Early Modern World, and Modern World.

Students who complete the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Film, Theatre, and Live Entertainment will be well prepared for entry level work as performers, directors, producers, or technicians in mid to large sized theatres, film sets, and production companies, and they will also possess the skills and attributes to collaborate with others in the creative arts to develop independent projects that serve the film, theatre, and live event needs of local industry.

Built on a foundation of communication, storytelling, and business and entrepreneurial skills, the program offers the choice of three majors:

• Acting
• Film Production
• Live Entertainment Production

Throughout the program, students are given the opportunity to apply their learning through projects, live theatre productions, and short films. Students will also have scheduled time to work collaboratively on projects with other students in the School of Creative Arts, including those studying Visual Art and Animation and Visual Effects.

The 4th year of the program is dedicated to mentored work-related experience where students can work in a relevant industry or on independent projects.

Program Outcomes:-
Acting Major

•  Practice teamwork and professionalism throughout the performance process. 
• Employ creativity and problem solving skills in the process of performance. 
• Communicate effectively in a verbal, written and physical manner within accepted acting industry based parameters. 
• Evaluate script information and performance requirements. 
• Employ acting industry safety procedures.
• Employ acting industry standard language and terminology.
• Practice stage and set standard ethics and workplace etiquette. 
• Practice career, entrepreneurial and life management skills with growing confidence (networking, creative vision, marketing). 
• Analyze own and others’ work in order to provide and appropriately respond to feedback. 
• Recognize and discuss work of cultural and gender diversity (aboriginal/global/gender perspectives/awareness). 
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of technical skills and techniques in theatre and film. 
• Practice performance skills within existing and emerging technologies. 

Film Production Major:-

• Practice teamwork and professionalism throughout the film pre-production, production, and post-production process. 
• Employ creativity and problem solving skills in the process of filmmaking. 
• Communicate clearly in verbal, written and visual forms within accepted film industry based parameters addressing diverse audiences.  
• Evaluate film production information and requirements. 
• Employ film production industry safety procedures.
• Employ film production industry standard language and terminology. 
• Practice film production industry standard ethics and set etiquette. 
• Practice career, entrepreneurial and life management skills with growing confidence (networking, creative vision, marketing). 
• Analyze own and others’ work in order to provide and appropriately respond to feedback. 
• Recognize and discuss work of cultural and gender diversity (aboriginal/global/gender perspectives/awareness). 
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of skills in film (pre-production, production, post-production). 

Live Entertainment Production Major:-

• Practice teamwork and professionalism throughout the development and production process. 
• Employ creativity and problem solving skills throughout the process of producing a live event. 
• Communicate effectively in a verbal, written and visual manner within accepted live entertainment industry based parameters. 
• Evaluate production information and requirements for live entertainment. 
• Employ standard production safety procedures in producing live events. 
• Employ standard production language and terminology in producing live events. 
• Practice live entertainment industry etiquette standards in various workplace environments. 
• Use best practices for environmental sustainability. 
• Practice ethical behavior throughout the live production process. 
• Practice career, entrepreneurial and life management skills with growing confidence (networking, creative vision, marketing). 
• Examine your work and the work of others to disseminate and discuss process and workflow. 
• Recognize and discuss work of cultural and gender diversity (aboriginal/global/gender perspectives/awareness). 
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of technical skills for live entertainment production.

Instrumentation engineering and associated technologies are rapidly changing and expanding in virtually every industrial and commercial sector. Current and future demand for Instrumentation Engineering Technologists (IETs) in this multi-disciplinary field is exceptionally high. Instrumentation systems form the monitoring and control nervous system of a broad spectrum of industries and applications. Thanks to such systems, commodities like oil, gas, electric power, wood products, clean drinking water, food products, and a wide variety of consumer goods find their way to market.

Program Outcomes
Possessing a unique blend of focused theoretical and practical training, graduates of this program will be able to:

• Employ relevant industry, health and safety standards, codes, policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation, regulations and organizational policy;
• Analyze and troubleshoot instrumentation control systems, including electrical, electronic, electromechanical (pneumatic and hydraulic), analog, and digital systems;
• Design, analyze and maintain (specific configuration and modification of) computer-based systems and hardware including electronic and computer-based controllers, to optimize the performance of process control systems;
• Analyze and solve complex technical problems by applying principles of advanced mathematics and science;
• Evaluate wireless and wired control systems applying mathematical, scientific, electrical, electronic and digital principles;
• Demonstrate and apply the elements of leadership in a multidisciplinary engineering environment;
• Appraise the installation and deployment of a control system as a supervisory member of a multidisciplinary team;
• Assess the need for maintenance, reliability and life cycle management of equipment;
• Apply the principles and practices of project management;
• Research, analyze, prepare, author, and communicate in written, verbal, nonverbal, and presentation formats, technical documentation appropriate for a variety of audiences;
• Identify, develop, and demonstrate strategies for maintaining continuing competency and practice standards associated with global industry trends and practices in instrumentation.

The program persistently challenges students to critically think through planning and troubleshooting situations, apply methodologies to solve problems, and to communicate effectively (both oral and written) to any audience.

RDC’s Health Care Aide program prepares students to be a part of a health-care team in a variety of different settings, providing high level of front-line care to clients in need of assistance.

As a Health Care Aide students may work in acute care facilities, continuing care facilities, hospitals, as well as in clients' homes. A Health Care Aide assists individuals needing care in a variety of ways including: assisting with eating, dressing, washing and moving.

The program uses a variety of learning approaches including online readings, assignments and lessons, in-person labs with a certified instructor, and in-person clinical placements. This program follows the Government of Alberta approved Health Care Aide 2020 curriculum and successful graduates are certified as Health Care Aides in Alberta.

Program Outcomes:
Health Care Aides must demonstrate competency as specified in the Alberta Health Care Aide Competency Profile.

Sociology is the study of the organization of society and how individuals make sense of their lives and experiences. As an academic discipline, Sociology provides powerful insights into why and how people organize themselves and behave as they do, at work and at play, in families, groups, communities, organizations, and societies. Special interests at RDC include demography, health and wellness, aging, mass media, and popular culture, gender, families, crime and justice, social stratification, poverty, and inequality.

Program Content
The below schedule is a general pattern that transfers to the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. Check the Alberta Transfer Guide for transfer credit information.