Diploma in Arts and Science (Women Studies)

at Langara College Canada

The Professional Photography program is a two-year diploma offering hands-on, comprehensive training that provides graduates with the skills to achieve success in a career in the photographic industry. Students have access to a wide range of specialized photographic equipment and are supported by faculty and staff representing a diverse range of experience. This program is intensive and provides the opportunity to develop a comprehensive portfolio.

Students will apply technical and artistic skills to practical projects that are typical of the industry. Studio time is provided to complete the assignments and master the skills necessary to succeed in the photographic industry. This is further enhanced by field trips and regular visits from current industry professionals.

Welcome to Langara College's Early Childhood Education Diploma Program, where we believe quality child care nurtures early learning.

This stimulating program balances academic studies on campus and practical experiences in licensed childcare centres. Students develop a strong theoretical foundation for working with children and families and take on increasing responsibility in their practical work. Upon completion of the program they are prepared and able to confidently and competently enter the profession of early childhood education.

The Early Childhood Education Diploma Program prepares students beginning careers as Early Childhood Educators in a variety of childcare settings (primarily within the province of British Columbia). Langara College also offers an Early Childhood Education: Special Education Post Basic Citation, which is part time and in the evenings. This special needs educator credential program is suited for Early Childhood Educators already holding a diploma or certificate.

The Early Childhood Education Department at Langara College has been educating Early Childhood Educators since 1966. Langara College has a long history of preparing Early Childhood Educators to work with children from birth to five years of age. The original program has grown from a small six-month program to a double intake three semester diploma program offering high quality instruction. 

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.

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.

Welcome to Langara College’s Education Assistant Program!

This eight-month full-time or six-semester part-time certificate program prepares students for career opportunities in the education system working alongside teachers supporting students with disabilities as Education Assistants.

The program combines a range of courses that provide a balance between a strong theoretical foundation and practical experiences so students graduate well prepared to begin their career.

In the public school system, a movement away from segregated classrooms toward inclusive classrooms has resulted in dramatic changes in the way students with disabilities are educated. It is an important goal of the faculty of the Education Assistant Program to provide students with opportunities to become competent and employable paraprofessionals in these dynamic environments.

Samantha Watson, Alumna, has had experience with these students, both as a student in the classroom, and as an Education Assistant working alongside the teacher. Read more about her story.

Langara now offers a new part-time stream in our Education Assistant Certificate program. This stream allows students to complete the Education Assistant Certificate program on a part-time basis by taking courses in evenings and on weekends. A student could complete the part-time program in as little as six semesters. Courses are offered in the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Langara continues to offer our full-time two semester (fall and spring) program. Both streams include two extended practicum experiences in local schools. 

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.

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

If you're looking for some new ways of looking at the world, if you want something fresh, challenging or relevant - try Women's Studies. Critical theories based on lived experiences, diverse global perspectives, an interdisciplinary approach - all these can help you make sense of a complex world.

The interdisciplinary Women's Studies Program at Langara is designed to introduce you to a diversity of perspectives on women's histories, contemporary experiences, analyses and movements for change. Women's Studies builds on evolving knowledge and methodologies to integrate the many forms of feminist scholarship and activism. The core courses provide a thorough overview of critical concepts for understanding how change in and maintenance of the status quo impact the lives of women personally and collectively, locally and globally. Through course content and teaching methodologies, Women's Studies focuses on the concerns and experiences of those women traditionally outside the scope of mainstream thought, and therefore makes visible a wide range of female experience. This 'centering the margins' is part of our ongoing commitment to broaden and deepen understandings of gender.

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.

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.