Faculty of Language, Literature and Performing Arts

This faculty consists of 10 disciplines:

Language Proficiency and Assessment Information

Students must demonstrate entry-level English-language proficiency before registering in any writing-intensive course in the following areas:

creative writing
writing skills
workplace and practical writing
academic writing
literature

To demonstrate the required language proficiency, students must provide the Registrar’s Office with proof that they meet any one of the following entry standards:

a final grade of "B" or higher (including both the course grade and provincial exam mark) in English 12 or Literature 12, earned within the last four years
successful completion of a college-level writing or literature course, defined as a course that transfers to Douglas College as an English, Communications or Creative Writing course, earned within the last four years

mastery of EASL 0475 or EASL 0474 or EASL 0460, within the last four years

(NOTE: As of January 2010, the point of entry from EASL into English, Communications or Creative Writing courses will be changed to a minimum grade of "C-" in EASL 0460 or a minimum grade of "C-" in both EASL 0465 and 0475)

a grade of C- or better in EASL 0820, within the last four years
a grade of C- or better in DVST 0450 or DVST 0455, within the last four years
a grade of 6 or better in the examination for English-Language A (Higher Level) from the International Baccalaureate Program, within the last four years
a grade of 3 or better in the examination for English - Language or Literature from the Advanced Placement Program, within the last four years
an IELTS score of 7 with a minimum score on all parts of 6.5, within the last two years
a TOEFL score (paper-based) of 580 and 4.5 TWE, or 600 and 4.0 TWE; or a TOEFL score (internet-based) of 92, within the last two years

(NOTE: As of May 2010, the minimum acceptable TOEFL scores will be increased as follows: for paper-based, a minimum of 55 in each of Listening, Reading and Writing and 5 TWE; for internet-based, an overall score of 92 with a minimum of 22 in each of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

a Language Proficiency Index (LPI) score of 5 on both Essay Level and English Usage and a score of 10 on the Reading Comprehension section, within the last four years.

(NOTE: Until May 2010 only, students with an LPI Essay Level score of 4 will be permitted to register in ENGL 1099 or CMNS 1105 only, and must successfully complete either course before advancing to any other courses in English, Communications or Creative Writing. As of May 2010, this option will no longer be available.)

New students are advised to submit proof of English-language proficiency to the Registrar’s Office along with their applications for general College admission.

Current students planning to enroll in their first English, Communications or Creative Writing course are advised to ensure that documentation verifying that they meet one of the above standards is on file at the Registrar’s Office in advance of their course registration date. Students who attempt to register without satisfying prerequisite requirements, or whose documentation has expired, will be deregistered from those courses without notice.

Students meeting none of the above entry standards can demonstrate language proficiency by successfully completing the Douglas College writing assessment, which is scheduled regularly at both New Westminster and David Lam campuses. To book an appointment for testing, please call 604-527-5478, or click here to view the testing schedule.

There is no fee for the Douglas College writing assessment, and results are forwarded directly to the Registrar’s Office upon test completion. Results are valid for four years. Students who attempt but do not pass the Douglas College writing assessment will be directed either to Developmental Studies (DVST) or English as a Second Language (EASL) for placement in appropriate upgrading courses, and may not register in any English, Communications or Creative Writing courses before completing the necessary upgrading or meeting one of the other language-proficiency requirements (above).

Students may rewrite the Douglas College writing assessment after a period of not less than four months, and may do so only once within a two-year period.

Credentials

Diploma in Performing Arts: Music
Diploma in Performing Arts: Stagecraft and Event Technology
Diploma in Performing Arts: Theatre
Print Futures: Professional Writing Diploma
Certificate in the Performing and Fine Arts
Certificate: Basic Musicianship
Certificate in Communications

Courses in the Faculty, including open-enrolment courses in Music, Stagecraft and Event Technology, Theatre, and Print Futures, can also be taken as part of the following credentials:

Associate of Arts Degree
Associate of Arts Degree: Creative Writing
Associate of Arts Degree: Intercultural and International Studies
Associate of Arts Degree: Women's Studies and Gender Relations
Associate of Science Degree
Liberal Arts Diploma
General Studies Diploma

Other Information

The Faculty also sponsors events and activities open to the entire College community. Students are encouraged to attend Literature Alive! readings, the Arts at One and evening music concerts, Amelia Douglas Gallery openings, and the theatre productions put on each term by the Theatre and Stagecraft programs. Look for announcements posted around the College, or look for the Calendar of Arts Events published each term.

This Faculty is also responsible for the production of Event, a national literary magazine publishing fiction, poetry, scripts and creative non-fiction. Event sponsors the nation's premier annual creative non-fiction contest.

Co-op Opportunities

Please consult the Co-op section of this Calendar for further information.

Continuing Education

The Faculty of Language, Literature and Performing Arts offers private music lessons, music courses, and a certificate in Audio Engineering through the Community Music School. The Community Music School also offers summer camps for Musical Theatre, Fun with Singing, Guitar Camp, Digital Audio and Video, World Music Choir and the Summer Intensive Jazz Camp.

For Community Music School information and current brochures, call 604-527-5469.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Some departments and programs in the Faculty participate in prior learning assessment. For more information, call the PLAR Service at 604-527-5526.

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