Bard High School Early College DC (Bard DC) – Chinese Popular Culture: What to Know and How to Participate in It

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

What is Chinese popular culture? How is it similar and different from western popular culture? How do we approach and participate and even produce Chinese popular culture, especially for those who are learning the Chinese language or planning to major or minor in East Asian Studies? To answer those questions, we are offering this hands-on survey and practice course to whoever is interested in learning about East Asian society, especially China. We will discuss the Chinese youth culture through films, delve into Chinese internet culture through using Weibo, learn about the impact of the most popular social media Wechat by starting a Wechat account and build your own network, sing a Chinese hip hop and refashion a Chinese hip hop to learn about this popular genre among youngsters, among many other exciting explorations of a fast-changing, world-engaging popular culture. Prior knowledge of Chinese is not required because you can survive and thrive as an English speaker in China!