Language and Culture (LANC) courses

Welcome To The Language and Culture Courses Homepage! 

Culture is the way people think about themselves and organize the world they inhabit. It is closely related to language, which is the medium of a culture's expression. Language and culture are both part of the lives of a particular group of people.

Our Language and Culture (LANC) courses provide students with an opportunity to explore cultures through textual and visual media, and through business practices.


Why Should I learn Culture?

Culture can be understood as the way people think about themselves and perceive and interact with the world they inhabit. It includes, among other things, traditions, artefacts, beliefs, values, norms, behaviours, and language that are shared by members of a group or society. Our culture courses provide students with an opportunity to study culture in relation to the languages and linguistic regions of study within LANC, but also in relation to cultural diversity and intercultural communication. Here are some reasons why you should consider studying culture with us:

  • Culture is dynamic. Institutions, globalization, technology, mobility, and many other factors influence cultures. Knowing about this makes us more globally-minded and actively engaged in relation to cultural changes that may affect our communities and the world.
  • Culture and language are intertwined. When you interact with another language, it means that you are also interacting with the culture that speaks the language.
  • Learning about other cultures enriches traveling. Culture is tied to history, traditions, and different norms of behaviour. Knowing about this will help you know what is expected of you and will make your traveling experiences more meaningful and inspiring.
  • Studying other cultures makes us more open-minded and empathetic. This helps us meet new people and make friends regardless of their cultural background.
  • Metro Vancouver is home to many cultures. As culture influences the way we communicate, learning about it teaches us how to communicate more efficiently across the cultures we encounter in our daily lives and how to better integrate into the local communities.
  • Research findings predict that Vancouver’s multiculturalism will grow in the next 25 years, so culturally competent graduates will be in high demand in BC.

Why should I take LANC Culture Courses?

  • LANC Faculty members are awesome! We all have different cultural backgrounds and bring dedication and passion to the courses we teach. To learn more about LANC faculty members visit https://www.kpu.ca/arts/language-culture/faculty
  • LANC Culture courses can be credited towards various KPU degrees and diplomas, and they may also be transferable to other post-secondary institutions in BC. For a full list of course transfers visit https://www.bctransferguide.ca/search/course
  • LANC Culture courses can be taken to earn a “Recognition of Achievement in Language and Cultures (LANC)”. For further information on this achievement, visit https://www.kpu.ca/arts/language-cultures/recognitions-awards
  • We offer small classes in comparison to many other universities making it easier to interact with your classmates and instructor during class time.

What is the course format and content?

  • Culture courses meet once a week for 3 hours either in person or online.
  • We offer afternoon and evening classes.

For any other inquiry about specific LANC Culture courses please contact the appropriate instructor as shown in the table below:

Culture Course:

Contact:

  • LANC 1150: Introduction to Intercultural Competencies: Thinking, Speaking, Acting Globally
  • LANC 3150: Developing Intercultural Competencies in the 21st Century
  • LANC 3450: Culture and Society in the Spanish-Speaking World

Dr. Constanza Rojas-Primus:

constanza.rojas-primus@kpu.ca

 

  • LANC/FREN 3110: Francophone Culture Through Film

TBA

  • LANC/ASIA 3154: Chinese Cinema and Society

Dr. Jack Hayes:

jack.hayes@kpu.ca

 

  • LANC/JAPN 1200: Introduction to Contemporary Japanese Society and Culture
  • LANC/ASIA 3310: Japanese Business and Culture
  • LANC/ASIA 3320: Japanese Culture Through Film

Dr. Justin Stein

justin.stein@kpu

 

  • LANC 1870: Introduction to Bhangra Dance - Modern and Traditional

Gurpreet Sian

gurpreet.sian@kpu.ca

 

  • LANC/ASIA 3860: South Asian Folklore
  • LANC/ASIA 3870: Bhangra Movements and Identity

Dr. Ranbir Johal

ranbir.johal@kpu.ca

  • LANC/LING 3390: Indigenous Languages in Canada

Dr. Päivi Koskinen

paivi.koskinen@kpu.ca