An introduction to pop, rap, and indie music tracks that are topping the charts in Vietnam. Analyze creatively funny, aesthetic, emotional, complex V-pop music videos, learn how to pronounce (even sing?!) Vietnamese lyrics, and discover how V-pop might be taking its inspiration from your favorite American and K-pop artists. We’ll explore the works of The Chillies (Vietnam’s The Beatles), Suboi (an iconic female rapper), UNI5 (an adorable boy band), Son Tung MTP (whose song with Snoop Dogg was trending on Youtube this summer), the soundtracks from Vietnam’s growing film industry, and more! We’ll also take a quick look at some contemporary art, film, photography, and choreography that is defining “Vietnamese” creativity. Perhaps you’ll come away with some new V-pop idols and boy bands to stan!

What is a bamboo? Is it a tree? Is it a grass? Why is there a question mark in the course title? Come learn about the biology and cultural symbolism of one of the most fascinating plants in the world.

The Southeast Asian Rainforest used to be the largest forest in the world (yes, even larger than the Amazon!). But human activities have destroyed the majority of the forest, leaving only very small fragments of forested land. This class will walk you through the amazing biodiversity of the region, the impacts of human development on the natural landscapes, and possible solutions to conserve and restore the quickly disappearing forests.