Associate of Arts in History

at Langara College Canada

Are you interested in volcanoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, glaciers, rivers and other aspects of your physical environment? Would you like to know more about British Columbia, Canada or the Pacific Rim? Would you benefit from a better understanding of current urban, cultural, environmental and economic issues? Do you like maps and are you curious about new spatial information technologies such as global positioning and geographic information systems? Are you considering a professional career in teaching, law or business? Are you planning on pursuing an undergraduate degree at a university?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions you should consider taking a geography course or courses at Langara College.
Geography is subdivided into human geography (study of location and other aspects of human activities) and physical geography (study of landforms, geology, climate, etc.). Geography courses usually include subject matter related to both the social sciences, sociology and economics for example; and the natural sciences, geology, biology and physics for example. However, geography tends to take a more generalist and interdisciplinary approach than other social and physical sciences.

Geography is also characterized by a unique spatial perspective. Geographers are interested in explaining the how and why of the distribution of natural and human produced phenomena. Consequently all areas of geography involve the use of maps, and geographers have led the way in the development and use of exciting new spatial information technologies like geographic information systems (GIS).

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 two-year Diploma in Arts and Science (Family Studies) Program is for individuals interested in understanding the nature of long-term relationships to further personal and/or career objectives. It is the only such program offered in the BC College system.

A Diploma in Arts and Science (Family Studies) requires a minimum of 60 credit hours of study. Up to 15 credit hours may include courses from the career and kinesiology course selections. Students must achieve a minimum ‘C’ GPA in the program’s core course offerings to be awarded a diploma. As part of the Interdisciplinary Studies Department, the broad range of courses provides students with a sound basis for continuing their studies in a variety of academic disciplines including Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, and Family Sciences.

Selections from the program’s offerings, taken in conjunction with Langara College’s Certificate in Social Service Worker Program, would allow a student to complete a College Diploma in Co-ordinated Studies.

The College offers a variety of computing science programs of study with a significant component of academic courses that carry transfer status with the universities. Graduates of our programs can always build on what they know and may take advanced courses from Langara or a university once they have completed the necessary prerequisites. These programs have many common courses in the first and second terms which allow students to enter the Arts and Science Program in Computer Science without committing to one specific option. We specialize in both academic studies and hands-on skills development by teaching in both the classroom and the lab.

The Associate of Science Degree in Computer Science allows students to transfer easily to the third year of Computer Science programs at major BC universities. The Diploma in Computer Studies enables students to take a broad range of computer science, information systems, and other courses.

We have published authors in both academic and creative areas, but with our small classes and dedication to the needs of individual students, instruction has always been our department’s priority.

The English Department offers you reading and writing skills which will help you to:

• Enter a profession or trade career with practical communication skills
• Arrive at the university with experience and training in academic writing 
• Navigate future career opportunities which you haven't yet thought about
• Critically explore current society which will be interesting in its own right
• Help you to be a more engaged doctor, nurse, teacher or business person 
• Be an aware and critical citizen

We offer courses in the following areas:

• Literature: Most of our courses have a strong literature component because we are convinced that an appreciation for literature will not only open your mind to explore the various forms and genres of literature but also enable you to gain insights into the human condition. Whether you are confronted with the ever-changing world of technical innovation or the daily pressures of life, literature can provide models for reflection and action. 
• Creative Writing: Some of our faculty are published and acclaimed authors and editors. They will share their talents with you in creative writing classes that explore creative writing in workshop situations.
• Communications: Learn to express yourself professionally in the workplace in our communications courses. Whether you are fulfilling a degree requirement (for the BBA) or want to upgrade your communications skills, the presentation skills we teach you will contribute to your future success. Furthermore, the discussion of moral dilemmas as they occur in the workplace is a favourite feature of our communications courses.
• ESL & Academic Preparation: Whether you are a recent immigrant and non-native speaker or a native speaker who feels the need to upgrade your English skills, our ESL & Academic Preparation courses will bring your reading and writing skills up to speed in order to go on to our university transfer courses. Our academic preparation courses have especially small class sizes (20 students max) that allow the instructors to work very closely with you to improve your English skills.

This two-year post-baccalaureate diploma program will focus on web and mobile app design and development, from concept to deployment. The program will encompass visual aesthetics (including typography, colour theory, and graphics), client and server programming, user experience design, and project management. Students will choose to enter the designer or developer stream of the program when they apply, although they can change their focus up until the third term.

Students will collaborate on several major projects, as well as creating real-world applications, developing digital portfolios, and building industry connections. At the end of the program students will possess the specialized design and development skills the industry is looking for. 

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 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

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

Peace and Conflict Studies (PCCN) is an interdisciplinary field of study which is concerned with the problem of human conflict, especially violent and destructive conflict, and the means by which it can be constructively and non-violently resolved. Its interdisciplinary approach to analysis draws on the perspectives of the physical and social sciences, history and philosophy. Guest lecturers from these academic disciplines, as well as guests from the active world of conflict resolution - labour mediators, politicians, peace leaders - will enhance the core courses. Each of the courses listed as requirements for a diploma program in Peace and Conflict Studies adds to an understanding of this most complex and pressing human issue.