Vietnamese 101A & 101B serves as an introduction to Vietnamese language, literature and culture.
A continuation of 101A, with the goal of conversational fluency, advanced reading competence, and facility in writing. This course also provides an introduction to the literature and culture of Vietnam through a close reading of Vietnamese language texts. Readings will vary from semester to semester and will include novels, short stories, poetry, and essays from the classical, colonial, and contemporary periods. Among the topics to be addressed in class are the nature of the Sino-Vietnamese classical tradition, the cultural legacies of French colonialism, the regional character of literary and cultural production, the emergence of a distinctive Vietnamese modernity, and the history of Vietnamese gender norms and relations. Regular attendance and participation in classroom activities is mandatory and no English will be spoken in class.