Students can begin to register for classes for the Fall 2024 semester at UH Mānoa. (Photo by Cameron Enomoto)

By Shawna Takaki & Juri Dagio | Staff Writers

Registration for classes at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa opens today, April 5, for all continuing students and internal transfers at over 30 credits. It continues until September 3, a week after classes begin. So if you’re looking for some courses of interest within the large pool to look through, here is a collection of some of our recommendations.

ANTH 210 Archaeology: Professor James Bayman teaches this course on the archaeology of prehistoric times, the different ways to excavate fossils to analyze, and the evolution through history of human groups. The class is held in person twice a week, Monday and Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Saunders Hall 345.

ASAN 324 Chado The Way of Tea Practicum: On Thursdays and Fridays, either from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. depending on which you take, Professor Akiko Riley teaches the practice of Japanese tea ceremony. The class takes place at Jaku’an Tea House at The Way of Tea Center, which was set up by the Center for Japanese studies in 2001 and houses tea ceremony demonstrations. Students learn about tea ceremony while surrounded by natural foliage, within a traditional Japanese building.

ASTR 150 Voyage through the Solar System: An early class into the field of astronomy, Professor Peter Englert’s class on the solar system goes over the entire solar system, detailing the changes in our understanding of our solar system from the past to the present. The course is held online and asynchronous, but also includes an unspecified field trip.

BOT 135 Magic Mushrooms & Mystical Molds: This course talks about different types of fungi in human history, breaking down both the contents of fungi as pathogens and decomposers, different historical events where fungi have made a great impact, and about how it has been used both as drugs and in food across history. Taught by Professor George Wong in the Biomedical Sciences Building, the course is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

CHAM 101 Elementary Chamorro: Chamorro is the native language of the Chamorro people, the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands, which include Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. It is an Austronesian language, belonging to the Malayo-Polynesian branch. Today, efforts are being made to preserve and revitalize the language and culture. Chamorro 101 focuses on introduction to listening and speaking, language structure of Chamorro language. This class meets three hours weekly, 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.

ES 395 Popular Culture: Hip Hop: Another unique class focuses on unraveling the origins and evolution of hip hop. Taught by Professor Paul Kutzen through an online asynchronous format, the class pays special attention to the cultural importance of hip hop music amongst other dimensions, such as those of political, social, and historical means, especially in Hawai‘i and the other islands of the Pacific.

PEPS 250 World of Insects: Held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in Gilmore Hall 301 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., this course focuses on examining insects through biology and ecology. With Professor Ikkei Shikano, students learn about the relationship between insects, the ecosystem, and the people of our islands.

SLS 218 Introduction to Second Language Learning and Technology: There are numerous technological tools and resources available to support second language learning. These tools range from language learning apps and websites to language exchange platforms and virtual tutors. Second Language Studies 218 allows students to effectively use different technology for second language learning, the pros and cons of specific new applications and established technologies and helps develop multilingual/multicultural understanding through technology. This course is on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.