Post-Degree Certificate in Aboriginal Studies

at Langara College Canada

Political Science is a multi-faceted discipline covering many areas of specialization. While students can choose from a wide variety of first and second year Political Science courses at Langara College, they will develop a common set of skills designed to enable them to gain an enriched appreciation of the complexity of political life, while developing an enhanced ability to think critically about the world in which we live. Political Science courses at Langara are also intended to provide a preparation for subsequent courses at the senior undergraduate level which build and reinforce levels of experience gained at this stage.

Langara College's two-year Diploma in Criminology provides students with a broad, liberal education in social science, criminal justice, and law. Students will learn scientific research methods, legal, philosophical, and theoretical approaches to aid in understanding crime and related social problems, and social responses to crime. The university-transferable required courses and electives afford students an opportunity to develop critical thinking; and understanding of the issues, arguments, and debates that shape the discipline of Criminology.

This program is primarily designed for those seeking to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology (university transfer) and who plan to work in the field of criminal justice and/or continue their education beyond a Bachelor’s degree for graduate or law school studies. It is designed to be taken either full- or part-time. There is a Fall (September) and Spring (January) intake. Most courses are offered in the Fall and Spring terms, with limited offerings in the Summer term.

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.

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

The following academic diploma is intended primarily for those seeking to complete two years of university-transfer course work towards a degree in Recreation, Leisure, and Sport Studies.

This diploma from the Department of Kinesiology does not by itself transfer to other colleges and universities. The individual courses taken to fulfill the requirements of this diploma must be assessed for their transfer credit status. Students are responsible to check with the institutions to which they want to attend to determine the transferability of courses.

Our Advanced Game Technology program is designed to provide you with all the skills needed to pursue a career in programming for video games. You will be given a full introduction to all aspects of the game development process, after which you will dive into the amazing depths of the technology behind video games. This program is designed for students with a background in programming and will prepare them to move into a career as a programmer 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 Technology supports students through a two-year, full-time program that allows students to dive deep into topics such as game programming, engine programming and network programming.

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.

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

The Diploma in Arts and Science (Commerce) Program provides courses needed for equivalency to pre-Commerce and first-year Commerce. The diploma program in place at Langara College is geared more specifically to UBC, but if space is available and with some amendments, this program also facilitates transfer to SFU and UVic. (Please consult with a counsellor regarding requirements.) The diploma program also provides a basis for entry into general business fields and a business-oriented direction for mathematically inclined students. The program leads to a Diploma in Arts and Science (Commerce). It is also possible for students to complete an Associate of Arts Degree in Commerce and Business 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.