Diploma in Applied Social Sciences and Humanities

at Langara College Canada

Canadian Studies is a program for those who seek a deeper understanding and appreciation of our society, its origins, unique character and problems. The program's core courses provide critical perspectives on the major issues and controversies that mark contemporary Canada. A wide range of related courses that promote understanding of the origins and workings of Canadian society can be elected.

Core courses are interdisciplinary, drawing lecturers from several disciplines who discuss or debate a subject from their special perspectives. Non-core courses may be selected from many areas. Canadian Studies tackles controversial issues, like racism, emerging women's roles, problems of working life, First Nations' concerns, Quebec separatism and American domination.

Philosophy is the discipline which develops the ability to think clearly about fundamental questions, including those that frequently lie at the root of other disciplines. Philosophy asks questions about the nature of knowledge, reality, truth, consciousness, freedom, moral obligation, aesthetic value, happiness, justice, and virtue--questions asked by those who seek to understand themselves, their society, and their world. We welcome students who are interested in questions of this order.

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

Langara’s Health Care Assistant program's Fall 2020 intake has been suspended. Please contact the department chair at [email protected] to ask about future intakes.

The Health Care Assistant certificate program offers theory courses and practicum placements that equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to provide safe and compassionate care to clients.

Explore new opportunities and broaden your knowledge in the health care field while you apply your skills in patient-centred care environments. Gain experience by promoting the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of clients.

Students in this program will develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of settings including home support, assisted living, residential/complex care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and some acute care settings.

Our Advanced Game Design program is designed to provide you with production-ready game design skills including comprehensive game design and development. This program is designed for students with a background in game design who are ready to move into a career as a game designer 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 Design 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 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.

The Journalism Program offers professional training to students planning to become practising journalists and introduces them to important aspects of the communications industry. Its goal is to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for entry-level jobs in journalism, whether in print, broadcasting or online. The program emphasizes strong writing skills, the necessary groundwork for careers in all journalism sectors.

The diploma program aims to provide high school graduates with a combination of journalism courses and an introduction to liberal arts courses relevant to the journalist’s work. The first year provides introductory and basic skills courses; the second year focuses on advanced journalism practices. Between years, students are encouraged to seek summer employment with community media outlets to gain experience. A Diploma in Journalism is awarded for successful completion of the four-term diploma stream.

Internships
As part of their curriculum, diploma students complete five-week internships at the media outlets of their choice:  community papers, dailies, radio, television, newspapers, websites, magazines, or corporate communications. Certificate stream students have no fieldwork requirements though the department frequently assists students to arrange internships to be completed after graduation.

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

Langara College has a comprehensive selection of psychology offerings. Our courses range from surveys of fundamental concepts to in-depth investigations of human behavior. Topics include: how psychologists conduct their research; the role of the brain; memory and thinking processes; lifespan development; social, family, and cultural influences, and; psychological disorders, psychotherapies, and related health issues.

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.