Diploma in Arts and Science - Aboriginal Studies

at Langara College Canada

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Data Analytics focuses on the entire lifecycle of the data analytics process. The Mathematics and Statistics Department offers two data analytics programs. Both programs cover the entire life-cycle of data from extraction, transformation, analysis of data to the presentation of results. Students in the program will work with industry-standard software applications to analyze data and gain skills to effectively communicate their findings.

Post-Degree Diploma in Data Analytics
This two-year full-time diploma program is designed for anyone who like working with data and interpreting results to support technical and strategic business decisions. The cohort-based program ends with a capstone project to apply their knowledge before starting a new career. Students will have the opportunity to develop strong project management and team building skills.

Data Analytics equips graduates with the skills and tools to divide and conquer massive data sets. Through collaboration with industry partners, students will gain experience handling real-life data from fields such as telecommunications, finance, and health care industries.

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.

Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary field in which graduates can find careers in science, global health, or public policy, or can continue their studies in graduate school.

When successfully completed, the general and specific requirements of this diploma will prepare students for entry into the third-year of Simon Fraser University's BSc in Health Sciences.

Students interested in pursuing SFU's BA in Health Sciences may also want to consult this Calendar for the Associate of Arts Degree in Health Sciences or the Diploma in Arts and Science (Health Sciences: Arts). Students may also want to consult this Calendar for details of the Associate of Science Degree in Health Sciences.

The Internet and Web Technology Certificate Program is designed for individuals who want to enter the information technology (IT) field. The program emphasizes Web development and computing and provides a solid foundation for the technical side of e-business. The program prepares students for meeting the challenges of Web technology by providing them life-long opportunities for academic and career advancement through one year of exclusive education. It trains students through a variety of courses including introduction to computer science, Web development and programming, multimedia and animations, operating systems, and databases.

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.