Okanagan College's Arts and Foundational Programs

Meet our Associate Dean, Andrew:

I am new to the role of Associate Dean of Arts and Foundational Programs August 2021), but I’ve worked at Okanagan College in the Adult Upgrading Department for a number of years, both in Penticton and Kelowna.
In my research and at work, I am excited by theorizing and deliberative action that attempts to create educational justice. Specifically, I am interested in the ways that conceptualizing post-secondary as an education for adults—recognizing the overlapping interests and values they hold and the equal dignity and respect that their status in society ought to confer—can help societies envision and create more a just system of education. I think such a framework overrides mere labour market justifications for the policies, pro-grams, and practices of learning and of-fers a liberatory alternative premised on what is worthwhile to students, their com-munities, and society.
Beyond work, I am fortunate to be a part of a close group of friends and family, for whom neither descriptor on its own is ac-curate, and they very much shape who I am. Together, we climb and hike and bike and camp and travel and share our lives. I cherish the connection to place and each other that our experiences bring.

 
 

Adult Upgrading registration for the new year opens for returning students on Nov 8th, 2021 and for new students Nov 22nd, 2021. What are you waiting for? Upgrading is FREE! To learn more visit https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/upgrading

 
 

Halloween wasn't always about big box stores, eating enough candy to put you into a diabetic coma and sexy costumes in a bag. It originated from an ancient Celtic pagan festival dating some 2,000 years ago called Samhain, when people observed the end of summer and the start of the darker and harsher part of the year. It was believed that during this time, the veil between the worlds of living and dead was at its thinnest, with spirits easily able to cross-over, become physically visible to the living and cause supernatural mischief. As a result, the people of the time would disguise themselves in animal skins and masks in hopes of passing for an animal or spirit and thereby sparing themselves the unwanted attention that might otherwise have been visited upon them by the dead. Others used macabre costumes and lit bonfires in hopes of scaring the spirits away while some adopted a more pacifist approach offering sacrifices and treats in hopes of avoiding bad happenings. The belief in spirits and the use of costumes by villagers created conditions ripe for mischief and mayhem of the human variety.

In the 11th century, Samhain was absorbed and converted  by the Catholic church, with Oct 31st being named a holiday  "All Hallows Eve," or the day before All Saints' Day (November 1). As time went by, science began to  out-reason  supernatural superstition and the more playful, consumeristic Halloween we now know slowly emerged. 

Enjoyed this history lesson? You can thank our history department. Learn more here: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/arts/history

 
 

Immerse yourself in different cultures, new perspectives and timely historical insights. Communicate in new ways and dig up answers to long-standing and emerging questions facing today's world.
Develop your critical thinking and research skills with the two-year Associate of Arts Degree, choosing from more than 300 courses in 23 subject areas.

To learn more about this offering vists: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/associate-of-arts-degree

 
 

Okanagan College has an award for an Indigenous student who has completed a work of fiction. The criteria are as follows:

1) Aboriginal ancestry (status First Nation, non-status First Nation, Métis or Inuit);
2) Resident of BC;
3) Enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits/60% course load or 6 credits/40% course load in any university studies, degree or diploma program, or a minimum of 3 or more courses (15 hours of instruction per week) in the Adult Academic Career Preparation program at any campus of Okanagan College;
4) Has completed a work of fiction in their program of study at Okanagan College, which must be provided for consideration;
5) In good academic standing
6) Selection of the award recipient will be based on the recommendation of the Department of English in conjunction with the Department of Adult Academic Career Preparation

Any student interested in applying, can email their work of fiction to [email protected]

Please include your name and student ID # with your submission. The deadline to submit is November 30th. The award is $500.00.

 
 

upgrading

REPOST from our Communications Department :

Interested in and for people with ? Special Topics: Representing Disability offered next term in analyzes cultural texts through the lens of power relations that cut across categories such as race, gender, sexuality, and class. This course introduces a critical framework, drawing on key concepts from both Disability Studies and Communications, for recognizing and challenging entrenched attitudes, practices, and representations that have tended to stereotype, stigmatize, and discriminate against people labelled as disabled.



Image source: Photo by Jens Theeß on Unsplash

Repost from our Communications Department ():

This is a new offer of CMNS 260 - Special Topics, titled “Intercultural Communications in a Global Community”. This course is offered online in the Winter 2022 semester. Students will engage with ideas of culture broadly interpreted as groups of people who think, act, and communicate in unique ways. They will explore their own and others’ stories through, topical social issues such as Indigenous rights, Asian discrimination, and Black Lives Matter, to better understand the challenges and riches of diversity and gain essential intercultural communication skills for life and work.

 

Image source: "Black Lives Matter" by seikoesquepayne is licensed under CC BY 2.0

NEW COURSE! (Reposted from our Communications Deparmtent )

CMNS 340 – Media in Action is a first time offer in Winter 2022 on the campus. We will build media literacy skills and explore digital art and radical media to get an appreciation of messaging that builds effective community in innovative ways. This is an applied course in which students learn essential communication, media literacy and design principles. This course is offered to students in the Concentration in Communication and Advanced Communication Certificate. See link in bio for more information.



Image source: "Banksy Fridge Kite" by Infrogmation is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Event Alert!

Contact for more info.

Recommended Read from our Philosophy Department:
What can you do with an education in philosophy? What can’t you do? In this book https://commons.pacificu.edu/collection/0bb7c129-95f0-410d-b9ef-00d699a5819e Boersema from University has pulled together stories of multiple students who studied philosophy and have enjoyed the benefits in a range of fascinating careers as politicians, teachers, in business and in tech.



 
 

Did you know that the Diploma in International Development Governance has 3 specializations?
Women and Development
Environment and Development
Sustainable Development

Choose university studies credits in Anthropology, Economics, Environmental Science, Gender Studies, Geography, Gender Studies, History, Philosophy, Political Science, & Sociology.

The International Development program provides learners an opportunity to engage with current global issues such as poverty; environmental degradation; racial and gender discrimination; corruption and lack of economic and financial transparency; and political deficiency.
okanagan.bc.ca/international-development-diploma
 
 

Oct 16 is International Archaeology Day!

Photo credit: Dr Flannery Surette in the Department of Anthropology. The photos of researchers digging are both from Huaca Gallinazo, Viru Valley, Peru. Dr Surette describes the artifacts with, "The textile is a shawl or manta woven from cotton while the stripe is likely llama or alpaca fibre. It was excavated from a site called Huaca Santa Clara, Viru Valley, Peru and dates to some time between 200 BC-400 AD. The wall painting is from Huaca Cao Viejo, a pyramidal mound, at the El Brujo Archaeological Complex, a Moche site in the valley of Chicama--it depicts a creature called the Moon Animal and was found in the tomb of the Señora de Cao who was buried around 400 AD. The mound operated as a ceremonial and administrative centre".
 Wow, just fascinating!!

For ideas on what to do on IAD, visit: archaeological.org/programs/public/archaeologyday/



 
 

We have two winners to announce for our back-to-classes contest: 

and

They plan to use their $50 bookstore credits to buy textbooks and a new ARTS hoody.  Congratulations! 

Speaking of hoodies, our new Arts hoodies are on pre-order. Order yours NOW! 

https://okanagan.bookware3000.ca/Catalogue/okanagan-college-catalogue/apparel/program-apparel/arts---pre-order

 
 

Okanagan College will be closed on Sept 30 on the first observance of this new federal "holiday". Consider using this time away from class to learn about and reflect on the impact colonialism has had on the people indigenous to this unceded land that we call home. 

link? --- or @ mention

Choose to wear orange to commemorate the lasting impact residential schools have had on survivors, family of survivors, and those who mourn the children who did not return home.

Aboriginal Services on the Kelowna campus (S124) has Every Child Matters orange shirts for sale in sizes SML- # # for $30 as well as beautiful beaded orange shirt pins available for $2. Jessica Allans says, "Purchasing an orange shirt is a great way to show support in addition to taking time to intentionally and continuously seek out educational opportunities and way you can be supporttive of Truth and Reconcilliation".

If you already have an orange shirt, consider making a donation to an Indigenous organization.

Tomorrow is Truth and Reconciliation Days. Pledge to be an ally.

Join us in engaging the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action at okanagan.bc.ca/reconciliation

Are you curious about social work?
SOCW 200A:
An Introduction to Social Work Practice
introduces the general practice of social work with an emphasis in interdisciplinary approaches and the roles of the consumer and self-help groups in the helping process. This course reviews the knowledge base and skills of social work practice, and assists students to evaluate their interests and capacities for entering the profession of social work.
Also offered by Distance Education.

 
 

The Department of Psychology has a new faculty member, Alex Hiriniak. She says, "I knew I was especially interested in psychology when I kept flipping to the end of the textbooks in undergrad and realizing that the textbooks did not hold the answers for the questions I still had.
I love teaching in Kelowna, there is nothing more magical than looking out the windows of a classroom and seeing mountains.
One of the most important aspects of my teaching philosophy is to teach to the students I have and not some typical student. I want all my students to be successful in achieving their own career goals, and I know that being a dynamic educator is important to ensuring every student is given the opportunity to succeed."

Welcome to Okanagan College!
 
 

Join the online for an artist’s talk with Amy Modahl to learn about the process behind how she created her work currently on view in The Cube. Modahl will speak on exploring the materiality and aesthetics of text in relation to her practice.

Amy Modahl is based in Salmon Arm, BC. Her practice includes painting, drawing, stop-motion animation, and performance. Modahl has exhibited her work in solo and group exhibitions, including at the Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna, BC; the Alternator Centre, Kelowna, BC; Stride Gallery, Calgary, AB; Vernon Public Art Gallery, Vernon, BC; and Soo Visual Art Center, Minneapolis, MN. She has an Interdisciplinary Masters of Fine Art in Visual Art from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan campus, Kelowna, BC; a Masters in Applied Linguistics from Northern Arizona University; and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, Art History, and Spanish from St. Cloud State in Minnesota.

Amy Modahl’s exhibition, How have you been? is curated by Craig Willms and is on view in The Cube until September 25, 2021.

(Write up courses of the Kamloops Art Gallery Website)

To register and learn more: https://kag.bc.ca/programs--events -198



 
 

Welcome Melissa Teal to the ASE team in Penticton!
"I am excited to join Okanagan College in the ASE program! I have a background teaching K-9 education and spent 3 years at NorQuest College in Edmonton working with diverse adult learners and loved it! I moved to the Okanagan 1 year ago and I really enjoy finding new beaches and regional parks to explore with my husband, two daughters and our dog, Lucy."

 
 

OC's Criminology courses are offered at the Penticton and Vernon campuses. Complete the 2-year Diploma in Criminal and Social Justice in Penticton!

okanagan.bc.ca/diploma-in-criminal-and-social-justice


 
 

Nope, we're not looking for Lionel. Where are our winners at?

We didn't get a single completed contest entry! WHATTTTTTTT!?

One of the many skillsets you will learn during your time at OC is the importance of understanding and completing assignment criteria. So we are going to give participants another chance to win some prizes!!!!

1. Go back to the original contest post
2. Re-read and complete ALL of the contest requirements.
3. You have until Friday Sept 24th. 

We'd much rather give the prizes to our students, but if we have to, we will spend the money on coffee and donuts for the Dean's office, if we have to ;)

 
 

Orientation 2021! An estimated 150 new and returning Arts students joined us to kick off the Fall Semester.



okanagancollege  
 

Hey Upgrading Students, we've missed you! Want to win $25 CASH? It's easy.

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS:
1. Follow us! 
2. Like this post
3. Post a photo or video sharing your first week back to classes. Be sure to include a caption AND/OR share what you missed most about being on campus.
4. Tag us in your post

Winners will be selected based on creativity, fun factor and visuals (if there was ever a time to use filters and stickers, now would be it!). Winners will be announced on this page. Stay tuned! 

Contest starts Tuesday Sept 7th and closes Friday Sept 10th




 
 

Who wants a $50 bookstore credit? You could use this to buy yourself a new Arts hoody, snacks, or even put it towards your text book purchases for the semester (*gasp!*).

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS:
1. Follow us! 
2. Like this post
3. Post a photo or video sharing your first week back to classes. Be sure to include a caption AND/OR share what you missed most about being on campus.
4. Tag us in your post

Winners will be selected based on creativity, fun factor and visuals (if there was ever a time to use filters and stickers, now would be it!). Winners will be announced on this page. Stay tuned! 

Contest starts Tuesday Sept 7th and closes Friday Sept 10th



 
 
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Things are ramping up at OC. The Arts and Foundational Programs are excited to welcoming students back to campus and have some fun things planned for Orientation, including a pre-order opp for our NEW Arts hoodies, a social media contest  and donuts! 

Looking forward to seeing you! 

okanagancollege  
 


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Adult Upgrading Course spotlight!

Law 12:
In Law 12, you will learn about the role of law and the benefits of the legal system with this introduction to how to make legal decisions and think critically about legal issues.

Social Studies 11:
In Social Studies 11, you will learn about the rights and responsibilities for every Canadian, the national and global forces that have shaped Canada, and Canada's place in the world today.

Both courses are being offered online for the Fall 2021 semester and they are both electives that can be used towards the Adult Graduation Diploma.

The best part? Upgrading is FREE!

Click here to get started: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/adult-upgrading-0

 
 

Missing admission requirements? Wanting to make that career change?

We're here to help. Upgrading is FREE. For real. 

We are still accepting enrollments across all 4 of our campuses.  Classes start Sept 8th.

Click here to get started: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/adult-upgrading-0

 
 

Here's a sneak peek into one of our department meetings for Adult Upgrading.

We had close to 40 instructors and administrators from across 4 campuses come together to ensure we are prepared to safely welcome students back to campus and online for the fall semester. 

We are still doing intakes for this semester. Upgrading is FREE and classes start September 8th. Learn more here: https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/adult-upgrading-0

 
 

There's more to writing and publishing than you think. This two-year diploma blends study in English, creative writing, editing, and communications theory with applied technical skills in graphic design, typography, coding, and book publishing.

hokanagan.bc.ca/diploma-in-writing-and-publishing-english