New Courses for 2023-24

Classical & Modern Languages

*Same course, new name
SP591Y Honors Fifth-Year Spanish: Latin American Cultural Studies
This advanced course will offer a communication-based approach to language learning through cultural studies of the Spanish-speaking world: contemporary, modern, and historical. Use of literary texts (plays, novels, poetry, graphic novels) and videos (film and television shows) will allow students to gain a better understanding of key moments in Latin American, Spanish, and Latinx history. Students may continue to SP592Y or SP690Y upon completion of this course. Prerequisites: SP490Y, placement test, or permission from the head of department.

SP592Y Honors Fifth-Year Spanish: Hispanic Literature
This advanced course will offer a communication-based approach to language learning through literature of the Spanish-speaking world: contemporary, modern, and historical. Students will engage in advanced analysis of key literary works that reflect the cultural experiences of Latin America, Spain, and US Latinx communities. Students may take SP690Y upon completion of this course with permission of the department. Prerequisites: SP490Y, placement test, or permission from the head of department.

NEW COURSES: Interdisciplinary offerings can be found  under the Language Department section of Veracross

CL451F The Greek World
This course, designed for both Classics students and others interested in the Classical world, will explore the major political, social, and cultural developments in the history of the Ancient Greek world from the Mycenaean period (1600-1200 B.C.E.) to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.E.  It will feature an interdisciplinary approach, examining numerous sources-- archaeological, art-historical, and literary (in translation).  Students will develop an understanding of the historical contexts of ancient Greek democracy, philosophy, drama, science, and more while learning how to evaluate and analyze information from a variety of primary sources.  This course will prepare students to appreciate the ways in which the Classical past influenced subsequent history, literature, and thought as well as the ways in which that influence continues today.

CL452S The Roman World
This course, designed for both Classics students and others interested in the Classical world, will explore the origins of the Roman world, the growth and eventual decline of Roman power, and the influence Rome continues to have in the modern world.  Taught with primary sources (in translation), this course will provide an opportunity for students to study the political and military history of Rome from the myths around the founding of the city and the development of democracy in the Republic, to the return to autocratic rule under the emperors.  Students will also examine Rome’s literary and artistic history as well as important technological advances.  This overview of history and culture will prepare students to appreciate the ways in which the Classical past influenced movements in European history, literature, and thought as well as ways that influence continues today

IC450S Intercultural Communication
You might be fluent in Spanish, French, German, Chinese, but can you communicate effectively across cultures by showing an understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences? We live in an era of unprecedented interconnectedness between people from widely different cultural backgrounds. We now engage in intercultural contact more frequently than ever before and intercultural competence has become a crucial skill to possess in the 21st century. In this course, we will learn basic conceptual tools and theories of intercultural communication. Students will analyze their personal intercultural experiences and deconstruct intercultural communication processes presented in course materials, including literature, film and a repertoire of critical incidents. By the end of this course, students will be able to: identify key theories and concepts of intercultural communication that have pragmatic utility for purposes of communicating across cultures; engage in and critically reflect on activities intended to develop their sensitivity to cultural differences; observe the complexities of intercultural communication processes by reflecting on the nature of culture shock, cultural adaptation, integration, and intercultural conflicts. Prerequisites: none.

English

Senior English electives (for fall and spring semesters) change each year; please check the online course catalog for the most up to date options (enter "EN4" in the "Course Name" box). 

Humanities & Social Sciences

HI483F - Honors History of Anti-Blackness
In 2006, a study found that college age white students were faster to associate Black with ape despite having no conscious knowledge of the "historical representation of Blacks as apes." How did society arrive at this point? This course will examine the long and intentional history of the creation of the myth of the "inherited" or "genetic inferiority" of Black people. We will examine how a concerted effort on the part of first Europeans and ultimately White Americans to justify the enslavement and exploitation of Black people led to a body of pseudoscientific work that still undergirds and serves to strengthen the idea of black inhumanity and inferiority to this day. We will read early European accounts of interactions with African people (sailor & priestly accounts), thinkers/philosophers (Kant & Hume), social scientists & criminologists who are weighed in on the "Negro problem." We will examine Black response (DuBois, Locke, Chestnutt, Wells) to these articles and studies that sought to undermine and dismantle this belief to little avail. We will examine how these notions manifest themselves in harmful and destructive ways in our modern society & ideate on the means by which to mitigate and dismantle these false notions. Prerequisite: Permission from the head of department.

Mathematics & Computer Science

No changes.

Science

PY170Y Intensive Physics
PY170Y covers topics in kinematics and mechanics. Students approach all topics through the modeling approach designed by the American Modeling Teaching Association. Students design experiments, collect data, graph and analyze that data, determine the mathematical model that describes the motion, and become experienced problem solvers. Students will look at motion graphically, mathematically, and computationally using VPython. Placement in this course or PY150Y will not affect eligibility for enrollment in subsequent science courses.  Prerequisites: none.

EG484S Honors Engineering: Design and Application

Engineering: Honors Design and Application provides students with the opportunity to combine concepts learned in previous engineering, science, math, and other Hotchkiss classes and apply them to an innovative engineering project.  Students will begin by researching their project ideas utilizing journal articles and engineering databases to gain a deeper understanding about their topic.  These projects will combine project planning techniques, engineering design concepts, hands-on fabrication skills, and end of project evaluation and testing.  Students will present their projects and accompanying journal articles at an open house at the end of the school year.  Prerequisite: EG350Y, Completion of a high school physics course (or concurrent enrollment in Physics AND departmental approval) and enrollment in MA450Y or higher. 

PY485F Honors Further Topics in Physics - Relativity

This semester course investigates relativity, which involves the determination of physical quantities in different frames of reference. Relativity is vital in many aspects of scientific investigation and technology, such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). Topics to be studied conceptually and mathematically are: Frames of Reference, Galilean Relativity, Special Relativity, Lorentz Transformations, Minkowski Diagrams and the concept of spacetime. A conceptual introduction to General Relativity will also be given, with its application to celestial mechanics and GPS navigation. Some advanced mathematical tools will be introduced when needed in the course. High proficiency in algebra and trigonometry is expected. Prerequisite: one of the following introductory physics courses PY150, (PY180 if offered), PY350, or PY380. Mathematical prerequisite: Concurrent Enrollment in MA450 (or higher)

PY486S Honors Further Topics in Physics -- Quantum Mechanics

This semester course introduces the principles of quantum mechanics and its application to physical systems. Quantum Mechanics is vital in studying the behavior of subatomic, atomic and molecular systems. It is also being utilized in developing ultra-fast computing systems. Topics to be studied conceptually and mathematically are: wave theory and classical wave systems, wave-particle duality, Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, Pauli Exclusion Principle, introduction to the Schrödinger Equation and solutions to model problems, application to spectroscopy, quantum chemistry, and the structure of nuclear, atomic and molecular systems. An introduction to quantum computing will also be given. Some advanced mathematical tools will be introduced when needed in the course. High proficiency in algebra and trigonometry is expected. Prerequisite: one of the following introductory physics courses PY150, (PY180 if offered), PY350, or PY380. Mathematical prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in MA450 (or higher)

Visual & Performing Arts

No changes.

Human Development

No changes.

Non-Academic

American Red Cross Lifeguarding Class
This course, taught during one marking period, will teach the participants the skills and knowledge needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course content and activities prepare our candidates to recognize and respond with speed and confidence in emergency situations both in and out of the water. Upon completion of this course the successful participant may have the opportunity to work as a certified Red Cross Lifeguard at The Hotchkiss School and other facilities where this certification is recognized. This course is not taught for academic credit. The Red Cross charges a nominal fee for participation in this course to train lifeguards to act. Topics include water rescue skills, surveillance and recognition, first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies, CPR, AED, and more. The new program reflects the latest Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC) science. To be eligible for the lifeguard-training course, the candidate must be 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of this course and must complete some swimming prerequisites. Class size is limited to approximately 10 participants. This class may be scheduled to meet outside of the academic day based on the needs of students and instructors.