Associate of Arts in Canadian Studies

at Langara College Canada

This is an intensive program designed for students with an undegraduate degree or equivalent. Applied Planning students share a passion and motivation to contribute to better and more liveable communities and a more sustainable future. The Applied Planning program builds applied planning skills for people who wish to work in the field of planning. Courses emphasize team based learning and introduce students to case studies, practical projects and a range of skills necessary for the practicing planner. Graduates of this program find work with planning organizations including local and regional government, consulting firms and first nations. Students in the program require 15 courses to graduate from our 12 month program with a Post Degree Diploma in Applied Planning. There is an optional work term which includes two additional courses. Part time students may be accepted into the program, space permitting. Most Applied Planning courses are scheduled in the evenings to enable students to work in addition to pursuing their studies.

The Asian Studies Program is unique in Canada. Beginning in 1983, it was the first two-year program in a Canadian community college to focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Having evolved substantially, the program is currently designed for university-transfer students who seek a better understanding of the cultures of the Asia-Pacific region.

The courses and seminars that give students in-depth insight into the cultures of China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. South Asia and BC Asian societies are also surveyed in some courses. Students who take Asian Studies courses are very well prepared for transfer to Asian Studies and other social science departments in university.

The program is popular with people who have worked or traveled in Asia, and who desire a deeper appreciation of the cultural patterns they have experienced. Many first generation Asian-Canadians and international students find the program insightful regarding their own backgrounds, and how western social science perceives their native culture.

The greatest economic growth in the world is occurring in the Asia-Pacific. These nations are powering the new globalized economy, a situation that will not change in the foreseeable future. Knowledge of their international situations, their lifestyles and their cultural values is the key to creating and maintaining solid relationships with our Pacific neighbours.

Knowledge of our past is critical to our sense of identity as a community. The study of history makes us aware of different values and perspectives and teaches us sensitivity to other viewpoints. College level history is not simply a listing of facts and dates, rather it is an explanation of real lives lived in the past. Without an understanding of where we have been, how can we know where we are headed?

While students can choose from a wide range of history courses, they will develop a common core of essential skills. Students will learn to read with understanding so they can critically evaluate conflicting evidence. In an increasingly complex world it is imperative that students/citizens know how to evaluate data, to understand the importance of context in shaping events and attitudes, and to think and reason in a logical manner. Through regular written assignments and discussion students will refine their communication skills as they learn about other worlds.

Looking for a meaningful career? Do you care about older adults in your life and community? If so, then you want to be part of the dynamic and growing field of gerontology.

This interdisciplinary program is your gateway to a career in the health and social service sector as a Social Service Worker providing a range of services in the community for older adults and their families.
Combining theory with practice, you will gain specialized knowledge and skills to work with individuals, families, and communities to promote health and resilience throughout the aging process. This program prepares you for employment in the field of gerontology within a wide range of service settings such as: health and wellness, education, recreation, community support, advocacy, residential and palliative care. The gerontology service sector has expressed resounding support for the program and hiring graduates in the future.

The program is structured for full-time studies, although exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for students to complete the program on a part-time basis or to enrol in individual courses with permission of the Program Coordinator.
Two of our students were featured in the Co-op Radio show It Takes a Village where they shared their views about the role education in Gerontology and graduates can play in better serving older adults.

The Social Service Worker (Gerontology) Certificate program prepares graduates for employment in the community-based seniors’ services sector. This entry-level certificate program does not require applicants to have previous post-secondary experience. The program also ladders directly into the existing Diploma in Gerontology program at Langara College for those who would like advanced certification.

The 8-month program is the only certificate program in British Columbia that equips graduates with the necessary skills and competencies needed to support older adults and their families using a ?strengths-based and social justice approach.

The applied social service aspect of the program is unique from other programs which focus on research or health care.  In this interdisciplinary program, students gain a broad and critical understanding of aging processes and social policy issues that affect older persons and their families.

The program is ideal for individuals without experience in the field who want to enhance their knowledge and engage in direct service with older adults, as well as individuals with current or prior experience wishing to complete a specialized credential. Working from a holistic perspective, and drawing on the disciplines of social work, gerontology, psychology and recreation, students develop advocacy skills and strategies to support and respond to individual and systemic issues to improve the lives of older adults. Students also gain direct experience working with older adults through completing over 200 practicum hours in a field practicum setting.

The program curricula and practica prepares students ?with no prior experience for employment in various settings, such as residential senior living settings (independent, supported, assisted, long term care residences), neighbourhood houses, At Home Programs, senior centres, adult day programs, recreation centres, and other community-based senior settings. It  also enhances the knowledge and skills of students with current or prior experience in the field with or without previous related credentials who wish to obtain an advanced or initial credential in gerontology.

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.

The Digital Music Production Program is an intensive, one-year full-time certificate program designed for the modern independent music producer and composer to work in recordings, film, TV, gaming, advertising and multimedia.

With their own mobile production studio and industry-standard music production software, students will develop a wide range of skills and gain hands-on experience in a home studio as well as professional recording studio environment. Program elements include:

• Electronic Music Production: Students will compose and construct original compositions and remixes with Ableton Live, Logic Pro, ProTools, and some of the leading 'soft synths' in the industry. 
• Music Theory: Developing your craft as a music creator involves a dedicated effort to understanding how music is composed and structured. It is essential to speak the language of music in order to communicate with other musicians. Our theory courses are designed to provide a strong foundation for DJs, film, television, and game composers, music producers and songwriters.
• Recording and Studio Engineering: A core focus of the program, students will be introduced to the theory and practice of the professional recording arts. They will understand how music is recorded at a professional level, both in commercial studios and on their mobile setups. Students will learn ProTools with a certified ProTools Instructor.
• Mixing and Mastering Music: All modern music recordings have been mixed and mastered for mass distribution, and students will learn a detailed professisonal approach to the technical and artistic aspects of each.
• Composing for Film/Mixed Media/Advertising: Learning how to compose music for mixed media and trans-media projects can offer significant career opportunities in the industry. 
• Music Business and Career Planning:  This career-focused class offers students the core skills required to navigate the creative industries they will be working within upon graduation. Topics include legal aspects of the music business, marketing and promotion, distribution, understanding social media, and website creation.

The Langara College Post-Degree Diploma in Nursing Practice In Canada is designed to effectively prepare Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) for eligibility and application for nurse licensure and nursing practice positions. The program content includes critical thinking, clinical judgment and decision making, verbal and written communication, and cultural safety as applied within the health care setting.

The program includes active learning and a variety of evaluation methodologies with an emphasis on the British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals principles, roles, and competencies. Students will have opportunities within the classroom, nursing laboratory and clinical practice setting to apply nursing knowledge, build their clinical competency and enhance their psychomotor skills.

Applicants who graduated more than 4 years ago prior to the start of the PDD NPIC program must meet all admission requirements as well as provide documentation of work experience in a Registered Nurse capacity at a minimum half-time level. A Supplemental Application Form will be sent to all applicants who fall into this category. Upon verification of work experience, an interview link will be sent to qualified applicants.

The Certificate in Art History is intended for students in all disciplines who are interested in developing visual literacy, an indispensable skill that will allow them to recognize, interpret, and appreciate meaning in our image-saturated world.

Biology is the study of life in all its variety and richness. It includes many aspects of your everyday experiences: your relationships with the environment, the foods you consume, the way your body works. In fact, functioning in the present world without biological knowledge is a distinct handicap, since biological advances are at the forefront of social change.

When you study biology at Langara, you will examine all aspects of living things: from the molecules that make up your cells to entire ecosystems. You will get an excellent grounding in a broad range of biology topics. You will also be able to choose courses in numerous specialties, such as ecology, microbiology, genetics, as you focus more closely on your personal interests and career goals.

Information about the living world and opportunities for Biology graduates have grown rapidly over the last few decades. Your career options will depend on your specific interests and educational focus, but could include research, education, journalism, law, public health, conservation, forensics and much more.  Some biology sectors such as biotechnology and environmental sciences are among the faster growing areas of the Canadian economy.

The Langara Biology Department has a firm commitment to providing the practical aspects of a science education. All our university-transfer Biology courses include 2 or 3 hours of lab or field work per week. We have five well-equipped lab rooms, including a dedicated Microbiology laboratory.  Our excellent team of lab demonstrators has a broad range of biology expertise and is available to assist students in the labs and during office hours. Also, a study space for second year students is available in the Biology lab area for biology students to work independently on assignments and projects throughout the term.

To be admitted and participate in a Co-operative Education option, students must:

• Be enrolled in three program courses (minimum 9 credits) or more, not including EXPE 2300 (formerly BUSM 2300/COOP 2300).
• Achieve and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.6 in each term.
• Successfully complete an employability assessment interview with a Co-op Officer, and
• Complete EXPE 2300 (formerly BUSM 2300/COOP 2300) with a minimum "C" grade.