Daoism has had a major impact on Chinese intellectual and spiritual life for over two millennia. A philosophy that emphasizes individual development, immersion in nature, the rejection of societal convention, and the cultivation of natural virtue, it has been embraced by scholars, painters, poets, and political thinkers. A religion derived from classical philosophy, folk practices, Buddhism, and Yogic techniques, it perseveres in village rituals, global popular culture, and dissident sects like China's Falungong. Taijiquan is a Daoist system of moving meditation and a martial art based on slowly flowing and subtly configured motions. Practiced worldwide, it is "the dance of Daoism," providing insight and personal experience of Daoist principles found in major texts like the Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi, and Liezi. This course provides students with the opportunity to read classical texts on Daoism and Taijiquan and to study the Thirteen Postures, a Yang style form of Taijiquan. We also read Daoist nature poetry, Tang dynasty Daoist short stories, and an account of the life of Guan Saihong, a Daoist master (and if possible, we will have Guan visit the class). Our practice of Taijiquan and work on textual interpretation is supplemented with free-ranging discussions (talks) on Daoism in the spirit of the School of Pure Conversation, a Daoist group of the first millennium that emphasized free expression and a sharpening of the imagination. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course approaches global politics through some fundamental questions pertaining to our everyday lives as citizens of this world, and the lenses used are multiple and integrated into a rigorous grounding on questions of power, inequality, boundaries, justice, war, immigration, terrorism, as well as other essential issues unspoken of within the grand worries of our times. It is designed as a multi-perspectival introduction to what might seem like questions we have always thought about, and what we already have opinions on. The course pushes us to acknowledge the premises of our opinions, our minds already made, and our pathos already bought and sold! In order to confront current problems, the course maintains, we must step assess, improve, and build the edifices and the scaffoldings of both our thought and action, local and global, in the world today. An important element of this is a focus on the Global South as a locus for the conversations that have always centred on the West and the Global North, and this course will historicise those perspectives of geopolitics as well. There are no prerequisites for the course taken at the 200 level.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts, methods of observation, and major currents of thinking in the life sciences today, laying the groundwork for both the theoretical knowledge and the skills necessary for a deeper understanding of the biological sciences. The three major topics covered are the molecular basis of cellular function, organismal life strategies and evolution, and the flow of matter and energy in the biosphere. Students will also build their observational skills as well as skills in scientific literacy, experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing. Students enrolled in this course must participate in the laboratory, and there is a laboratory fee. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course is primarily designed for first-year undergraduate students as an introduction to the field of computer science and fundamental concepts of computer programming. It utilizes Python programming and is suitable for students without any prior programming experience. Throughout the course, students will acquire knowledge in Python fundamentals, data types, writing functions, debugging, and solving real-life problems using programming concepts. No prerequisite.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

A transition from secondary school to college-level mathematics in both style and content, this course explores the elementary functions. Topics include polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; graphing; inequalities; data analysis; and the use of a graphing calculator and/or computer. The course meets the College's mathematics requirement and also prepares students for calculus. Prerequisite: Mathematics 101, or at least two years of high school mathematics and adequate performance on the mathematics placement exam.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

A course in differential and integral calculus in one variable. Topics include an introduction to limits and continuity, the derivative and its applications to max-min and related rate problems, the mean value theorem, the definite integral, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Mathematics 109 or adequate performance on the mathematics placement exam.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course is a continuation of Calculus I. Topics include techniques of integration, numerical integration, applications of the definite integral, Taylor approximations, infinite series, and an introduction to differential equations. Prerequisite: Math 210.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course provides the mathematical foundations underlying statistical inference. Topics include random variables, both discrete and continuous; basic sampling theory, including limit theorems; and an introduction to confidence intervals. Prerequisites: Mathematics 221.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic structure and function of the human brain, particularly as it relates to cognition, learning, consciousness, and emotion. Students will study the basic functioning of neurons as well as the organization of the brain, with a focus on the areas in the brain involved in all aspects of cognition, including: language, memory, social behavior, affect, spatial behavior, and attention. In the latter part of the course, students will be introduced to the neurological bases of psychological disorders (especially those of thought and emotion) as well as our understanding of the brain’s plasticity and its ability to be repaired and repair itself. Prerequisites: PSYC 100 or BIO 100.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

In this seven week Expressive Arts course, students will be introduced to the basics of art therapy, pioneers in the field, and art therapy's history and philosophy, art therapy as a form of social justice and a guided tour and sand tray experience in the professor's working art studios and gallery in Pittsfield. In class experientials include art therapy drawing assessments which promote creativity as a tool to better understand oneself. Expressive arts projects will take place in the studio and at home using a variety of materials such as ink paintings, touch drawings, working bilaterally, symbolic self portraits, mandalas, sand tray, and intuitive collage. Art assignments will demonstrate the nature of different art materials and methods that suit multiple learning styles. Written assignments will challenge students to think critically and to apply new information, as well as demonstrate personal reflection and insight. Students will gain a clear and hands on understanding of the multifaceted hybrid field of art therapy for consideration as a future career. Prerequisite/corequisite: PSYC 100. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course is designed for students considering advanced study and careers in mental health professions. It provides an overview of the field of clinical psychology focusing on issues relevant to the practice of psychology professions. In particular, we will use a variety of case studies involving a range of psychological diagnoses to examine common challenges that arise for the therapist in the clinical setting. Examples of these challenges will relate to the increased use of technology, managed care and insurance, the place of medication as well as issues such as the reluctant patient, dealing with failures, treatment compliance, how patient's change therapists, and counter-transference material. Prerequisites: PSYC 211 or PSYC 252 or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

To truly understand biological phenomena, such as how food becomes energy, how muscles contract, and how organisms reproduce, one must look closely at the machinery and functions within a single cell. Cell & Molecular Biology introduces the chemical and molecular basis of cells, focusing on how cells store, copy and use information, acquire resources and energy, and communicate with each other, with the ultimate goal of understanding how these processes go awry in the formation of cancer. In laboratory, students will explore topics related to course content using the tools and techniques of molecular biology while also practicing experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing. Prerequisites: Biology 100 and one semester of college-level chemistry.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 302. Topics include reactions of radicals, conjugation, aromaticity, aromatic substitution reactions, carbonyl compounds and their addition reactions, acids and acid derivatives (amides, esters, anhydrides). If time permits, special topics such as: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and pericyclic reactions will be covered. All topics are aimed toward synthesis, and an understanding of the reaction mechanisms, both of and utilizing the compounds of interest. The laboratory experiments will deal with guided organic analysis, culminating in classical qualitative organic analysis. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Chemistry 302 (with a grade of C or higher), and all of its prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to operating systems, focusing on their design, architecture, and core functions. Topics include process management, memory management, file systems, and resource allocation, with an emphasis on synchronization and concurrency. Students will explore how operating systems manage hardware and software resources while ensuring efficiency and security. Through lectures, hands-on labs, and projects, participants will develop practical skills in operating systems programming and gain a deeper understanding of the principles that underpin modern operating systems. This course serves as a foundational step for advanced studies in computer science and engineering. Prerequisites: Students typically need a foundational understanding of computer science principles, programming skills (often in C language), and familiarity with basic data structures. The prerequisites for this course are CMPT 100 (Introduction to CS) and CMPT 242 (Programming in C/C++), or prior-permission from the instructor. ----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

The mathematical foundations of computer science, including propositional and predicate logic, sets, algorithm growth and asymptotic analysis, mathematical induction and recursion, permutations and combinations, discrete probability, solving recurrences, order relations, graphs, and trees. This is a required course for CMPT 243 (Algorithms and Data Structures). Prerequisite: A 200-level Math course.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

A transition from secondary school to college-level mathematics in both style and content, this course explores the elementary functions. Topics include polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions; graphing; inequalities; data analysis; and the use of a graphing calculator and/or computer. The course meets the College's mathematics requirement and also prepares students for calculus. Prerequisite: Mathematics 101, or at least two years of high school mathematics and adequate performance on the mathematics placement exam.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course is a continuation of Calculus I. Topics include techniques of integration, numerical integration, applications of the definite integral, Taylor approximations, infinite series, and an introduction to differential equations. Prerequisite: Math 210.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course provides a firm foundation for calculus. Topics include a rigorous definition of the real numbers; Cauchy sequences; and definition of limit, along with proofs of the theorems of calculus, sequences of functions, uniform convergence, and continuity. Prerequisites: Mathematics 220 and 221 or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Psychology is the study of human thought and behavior. The purpose of this course will be to introduce students to this perspective on the human experience--its major theories and ideas, history, and methods. We will also discuss the current issues and debates within the field. As this is an introduction to a field that is quite broad in its scope, we will cover many different topics. Thus, this course is fast-paced with a lot of reading. Most of the readings are from a textbook, but these are supplemented with chapters from a book that offers more in-depth discussions of particularly important studies/concepts in the field. Classes will be part lecture, part discussion. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This class is designed as an introduction to art history, looking primarily at the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries up to 1945, examining seminal artworks that changed the world, caused an uproar, turned everything upside down; cultural production that represented and emerged from a world changing at a rapid pace and in novel and unprecedented ways. We begin by tracing the origins of art as a distinct field in "Modern culture." We will look at European modernisms, including Dada, Futurism, Surrealism, Impressionism, Realism, Brutalism, Romanticism, Capitalism, Communism, Colonialism, Nationalism (and more) and we will ask: "who decides what’s modern and what is valuable in art? Why? Who stands to gain?" At the same time, we will recognize the unevenness and complexity of Modernisms in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Along the way we will begin to explore the stakes and practice some of the fundamental methods and skills for doing art history.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Flamenco dance, which originated in nineteenth century Spain and is known for its emotional intensity, expressive use of the arms and rhythmic stamping of the feet, has come into its own in the U.S in the past few decades. In this course students will become familiar with basic flamenco vocabulary, arm and hand movements (braceo), foot technique (taconeo), hand clapping (palmas) and specific rhythmic patterns and themes of flamenco (palos). The flamenco courses also provide a historical and cultural overview through discussion, texts, film, and research.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This interdisciplinary course comprehensively explores global conflict zones through anthropology, psychology, and literature. Understanding conflicts’ multifaceted dimensions is crucial for informed engagement in an era marked by geopolitical tensions. The course offers a holistic perspective on the human experience in strife areas, drawing on literature, psychological analyses, and anthropological studies. Students engage with literary works, psychological theories, and anthropological case studies to understand narratives in conflict zones. Topics include conflict representation in literature, psychological impacts, and cultural dimensions. By examining diverse voices, students gain nuanced insights into global conflict complexities. Students develop analytical skills and a holistic understanding of human experience in conflict areas through readings, discussions, and assignments. Ideal for international relations, cultural studies, psychology, and literature students, the course offers an interdisciplinary perspective on global conflict challenges and opportunities. No Prerequisite. ----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

For students who have some experience in writing short fiction and want to give and receive helpful criticism in a workshop atmosphere, this course combines structure and freedom: structure in the form of assigned exercises drawing attention to the elements and techniques of fiction and freedom in the form of longer, independently conceived stories. Some time is spent each week discussing short fiction by contemporary writers as well as that of students in the workshop, with the goal of sharpening our abilities as writers, editors, and critics. Admission to the course is selective; candidates must submit samples of their writing to the instructor before registration. Prerequisite: Literature 150 or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

Chromatic Harmony introduces the use of dissonance in the form of suspension and seventh chords, and chromaticism in the form of secondary harmonies and modulatory progressions. Chromatic harmonies (Neapolitan and augmented sixth chords) and enharmonic relations complete the tonal picture. Short whole pieces from the Baroque period are used as first examples of whole-piece analysis. Prerequisites: Intermediate music-reading ability and permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

The field of modern performance is saturated with technology. As such, creative and effective programming has become essential to the successful development of and implementation of many modern technical designs. This course will provide students a comprehensive overview of the programs and techniques required to program lights, sound, and projections for modern theater. Topics covered will include patching, cueing, and control of both traditional and intelligent lighting fixtures. After taking this course, successful students will be well equipped to implement a variety of theatrical designs during the technical process. Through in class projects, students will have the opportunity to learn first hand the creative strategies involved in programming and to engage with the challenges of this process with their peers.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course examines relationships between language and gender. Specifically, how and to what extent are gender differences manifested in language? Do women and men employ alternatives of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammatical structure? Are men's and women's conversational strategies significantly different? Do languages encode divergent cultural messages about women and men through the ways in which they label or talk about people? Although the majority of data considered is derived from English, linguistic and cultural evidence from other societies will also be explored. Prerequisites: One course in social studies or linguistics.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course offers an introduction to statistical methods for the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data. Topics include probability, binomial and normal distributions, sampling, hypothesis testing, confidence limits, regression and correlation, and introductory analysis of variance. The course is oriented toward the increasingly important applications of statistics in the social sciences. Prerequisite: Adequate performance on the mathematics placement exam.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course deals with linear mathematics, including the geometry and algebra of linear equations, the mathematics of matrices, and vector spaces. The course provides an important foundation for the mathematical representation of phenomena in the social sciences and physical sciences, as well as for more advanced analysis and algebra courses. Prerequisite: Mathematics 211 or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Classical mechanics is a study of matter and energy in the limits that the quantization of nature is not observable and the speed of light can be considered to be infinitely fast. Topics include the harmonic oscillator, celestial mechanics, rigid body motion, rotation, and the Lagrangian formulation of mechanics. Other possible topics include fluids, statics, and nonlinear systems. Prerequisite: Physics 101 and MATH 220.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Designed for students whose background in French is not sufficient for a higher level, this course provides a systematic review of French grammar, regular practice in listening and speaking, and readings in French prose. By the end of the second semester students understand simple French prose and speech and can express themselves in simple fashion, orally and in writing. Prerequisite: Appropriate range of scores on the Simon's Rock online French placement test or French 204.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

Spanish 100 and 101 form an intensive introduction to basic Spanish that incorporates a task-oriented approach to language learning. The course has been designed to help students develop fluency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Spanish. It also aims to prepare the student to acquire a deeper understanding of the civilization of the Spanish-speaking world. The class is conducted in Spanish and meets five hours per week. Prerequisites: Spanish 100 or appropriate score on the placement exam.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course will examine the parallel and interconnected histories of diagnosis and treatment of "madness" during the time of Freud to more present day approaches to mental illness/mental health. We will look at multiple accounts of the history of mental illness diagnosis and treatment - exploring through various lenses, such as psychoanalytic and biological. We will critically analyze each of the historical developments in psychiatry with an eye toward understanding and contextualizing the present day mental health system. Lastly, we will look at how global mental health systems have become increasingly 'Americanized' as US-centric approaches are exported around the globe - shaping the expression of mental illness around the world. Prerequisites: A 200-level psychology course.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

no course description available----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

This course examines collective social action in response to crises and transformations in societies, with a particular focus on millenarian thinking. Millenarian thinking is the belief that following a major transformation everything will be different, due either to rapture (the rising up of a new, and better, society) or to rupture (the destruction of existing, and good, social order). Various examples of millenarian thinking, including apocalyptic expectations as found in major world and syncretic religions and throughout history and across cultures, are examined. In Rapture and Rupture Part I, we will explore utopian societies in 18th and 19th century America such as The Shakers, The Oneida Community, Brook Farm, Icarians, and those communities inspired by French philosopher Charles Fourier. We will then turn our attention to a more contemporary utopian society turned tragic in the case of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project (AKA "Jonestown"). Finally, we conclude with an examination of intentional communities, created in response to the pressures of capitalism, climate change, and social injustice, in the United States, Denmark, Taiwan, Australia, India, and Brazil.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course examines collective social action in response to crises and transformations in societies, with a particular focus on millenarian thinking. Millenarian thinking is the belief that following a major transformation everything will be different, due either to rapture (the rising up of a new, and better, society) or to rupture (the destruction of existing, and good, social order). Various examples of millenarian thinking, including apocalyptic expectations as found in major world and syncretic religions and throughout history and across cultures, are examined. In Rapture and Rupture Part II, we will explore New Religious Movements (NRM), movements with relatively modern origins but which are peripheral to society’s dominant religious culture. We explore pacifist movements such as the Bahá'í Faith, Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the rise of the Rastafari movement. Frequently included under the NRM label are those groups ultimately known as "cults," whose histories are marked by violence and individual or collective tragedy. Here, we examine Aum Shinrikyo in Japan, Order of the Solar Temple, Heaven’s Gate, and the Branch Davidians, as well as The Church of Scientology and the Albany, NY-based NXIVM, now in the news.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Trans people figure prominently in histories of the 20th century, making appearances in bars, clinics, courtrooms, and entertainment media, however, the spectacle and stakes of trans visibility in the US have never been more dramatized than in the media and politics of today. This course analyzes art, music, literature, and film addressing topics related to trans aesthetics and asks, what are the categories, judgments, and strategies that define and are defined by trans people, trans cultural production, and trans social practices? How do race, class, nationality, ability and other forms of subjectification intersect or overdetermine these areas? This course cuts across borders and times, both national and historical, as well as in the disciplines of visual studies, media, history of science, art history, legal scholarship, and literature. Prerequisites: a 100-level art history course or suitable 100-level course in a humanities discipline. To take the course at the 300-level, another 200-level theory or reading heavy course in the humanities is required. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course introduces students to the history, practice, and science of tapping maple trees for the production of maple syrup. In the greater context of global climate change the course also serves as a concrete example of what climate change means for local food production systems as well as the regional environment now and in the future. Tapping trees for maple sap is a long standing agricultural practice in New England as well as in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. There is a small sugar bush and sugar shack on campus and this course allows students to study sugaring through literature and practice. ----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Undoubtedly, honey was the first concentrated sugar product known to humankind, and the practice of raising bees dates back thousands of years. Honey bees are social animals with a division of labor; a healthy hive has a single queen and as many as 60,000 workers, all of which are female. In this course, students study the biology of honey bees, their cultural importance, and hive management for the production of honey, beeswax, and other products. We emphasize spring practices including building up overwintered colonies, splitting colonies, management to reduce swarming, capturing swarms, and building and repairing equipment. We also study the honey bees' agro-ecological role by examining the pollination services provided to the Simon’s Rock Community Garden. A substantial portion of class will be spent in the Simon's Rock Apiary working the bees. No prerequisites. This course DOES NOT fulfill the AA Science requirement and is suitable for non-science students.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Recent accounts of the explosion of literary experiment in the early twentieth century emphasize the importance of the local: less Modernism, than Modernisms. This course looks at how this model reorients tensions between “center” and “margin” in Modernist writing. How did a colonial backwater like pre-independence Dublin become a literary powerhouse? How did the work of women writers, such as Virginia Woolf and Gertrude Stein, disrupt existing narratives about gender and sexuality? What happens to standard readings of American Modernism if we put the Harlem Renaissance at the very center of this movement? Questions of this kind merge aesthetic concerns with the volatile politics of the 1920s and 1930s. Possible topics of discussion: jazz, war, futurism, aestheticism, fascism, anti-fascism, anti-Semitism, the Great Migration, the “Racial Mountain,” nationalism, cosmopolitanism, imperialism, psychoanalysis, eugenics, feminism, technologies of mass production, and, of course, literary experiment. This seminar can be taken at the 200 or 300 level. Prerequisites: For 300 level, at least one 200 level LIT class; For 200 level, at least one 100 level LIT class and by permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

An introduction to the applications of calculus to geometry, this course is the basis for many theoretical physics courses. Topics include an abstract introduction to tangent spaces and differential forms; the Frenet Formulas for moving frames on curves in space; and the rudiments of the theory of surfaces, both embedded and abstract. Prerequisites: Mathematics 220 and 221, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students in this course will learn the fundamentals of clay forming techniques as they produce bowls, mugs, vases, and lidded jars among other forms. The class will learn both hand building and wheel throwing skills. A variety of glazing methods will be introduced. Structural integrity, function, and aesthetic issues will be considered equally. The class will be introduced to historical and contemporary trends and innovations in ceramics. Students will keep a sketchbook and participate in a field trip. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This is the second semester of an accelerated course designed for students with little or no previous experience of French. The sequence enables them to fulfill the College's language requirement in one year and prepares them for entry into upper-level courses. The class meets five hours per week. Prerequisite: Appropriate range of scores on the Simon's Rock online French placement test or French 100.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

Podcasting: Spanish in Conversation is an intermediate-level module designed to develop students' oral fluency, listening comprehension, and vocabulary acquisition through the use of a podcast-based format. Over the span of seven weeks, students will listen to, participate in, and create recorded discussions, selecting conversation topics that reflect their personal or academic interests. Each student will be the topic expert in one podcast session, providing an opportunity to practice real-world communication strategies in a structured, collaborative interview setting. Supplementary audiovisual materials and short reading assignments will further enhance students’ ability to create a podcast, and to navigate regional Spanish variations and linguistic diversity. Reading and writing components will focus on preparation and reflection, allowing students to reinforce their language skills while maintaining the primary focus on oral communication. Presequisite: SPAN 204 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

Students interested in working backstage and behind the scenes, will gain hands-on experience and training in various disciplines associated with technical production. Specific areas of focus may include costume, set and prop construction, stage crew, lighting and electrics crew, sound mixing and engineering, light and sound board programming and operations, projections, assistant stage management and assisting faculty and staff designers in the areas of costume, scenic and lighting design. Each student involved will be interviewed and assigned a specific role (or roles) integral to the unique collaborative process of bringing a full length production from inception to performance. Prerequisites: For 200-level: one of the following courses: THEA 108, THEA 115, THEA 118, THEA 125, THEA 127, THEA 151, and permission of the instructor. For the 300-level, THEA 207. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course focuses on the ways that Indigenous filmmakers (directors and writers) explore Indigenous lives, voices, and narratives. Through viewing films and reading texts about visual representation, we will consider questions such as: How are Indigenous and other non-Western peoples depicted? From whose points of view are the stories told? Whose voices dominate the film's narrative and perspective? We will view films from Indigenous filmmakers from many countries and continents, including Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Native North and South America, India, China, and the Philippines. The course will also consider how social and political issues involving Indigenous peoples are presented. Prerequisite: one course in social studies or film.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

An examination of the fundamentals of nervous system function, this course begins with the cell biology of neurons, and expands into an exploration of how nerves function as part of larger neural circuits. We discuss sensory systems for vision, pain, taste, sound, and balance. We also discuss the integration of nerve inputs in the motor system. Finally, we cover topics of higher brain function, including topics such as emotion, memory, behavior, and language. We explore current literature on important neurobiological topics including neurological damage and disease and neurological and psychiatric disorders. Prerequisites: Biology 201 and/or Biology 276, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 100. Topics covered include solutions, acid/base theory, kinetics, equilibria, thermodynamics of chemical reactions, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory experiments mostly deal with classic qualitative inorganic analysis; other experiments illustrate and magnify lecture topics. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 100 (with a grade of C or higher).----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

The course presents an introduction to database management systems (DBMS), with an emphasis on using the system for modeling and querying information. The main focus is on data models and database design, relational algebra and SQL, and data analytics, with a short introduction to the internals of relational database engines. The course includes a project, which involves developing an embedded database application. Prerequisite: CMPT 100 and at least one additional programming course.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course deals with multivariable calculus and vector analysis. Topics include differentiation of vector functions, multiple integrals, line and surface integrals, vector fields, and the theorems of Stokes and Green. Applications to geometry and physics are considered as time permits. Prerequisites: Mathematics 211 and 220.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Logic clarifies the structure of everyday and mathematical reasoning. At the same time, it brings with it paradox and controversy. We will explore sentential, predicate, multi-valued, modal, and paraconsistent logic as well as elementary set theory, informal argumentation, debating, basic probability theory, formal linguistics, infinity, paradoxes, and some philosophical implications of logical theory. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This is an introductory course on ordinary differential equations. Topics include first-order equations, second order linear equations, harmonic oscillators, qualitative properties of solutions, power series methods, Laplace transforms, and existence and uniqueness theorems. Both the theory and applications are studied, including several problems of historical importance. Prerequisite: Mathematics 221 or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course continues the calculus-based physics sequence begun in Physics 100. Topics include thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics, special relativity, and wave mechanics. Accompanying laboratory required. Prerequisite: Physics 100. Corequisite: Mathematics 211.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

This multi-level class introduces a modern dance technique that develops expressiveness, proper alignment, efficient and clear movement, musicality, spatial awareness, coordination, flexibility, strength, and the ability to dance with others. Course material consists of warm-up exercises, dance combinations, anatomical information, and imagery. Short readings and film clips introduce students to past and current dancers and choreographers. Expectations are tailored to the student’s specific level of proficiency. Students must have completed 2 semesters of 100 level technique in order to advance to the 200 level.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This hands-on, intermediate-level course is designed for students with some experience in film and video production who'd like in-depth practice of fully manual camera operation, shot composition, understanding lenses and filters, shooting in raw and flat video, 4K + 6K workflows, camera stabilization and movement, lighting (field and location), dual system recording, manually operating sound recorders and various mic types, slating and logging, and DIT -- all done with consideration for your specific project’s story and aesthetics. Students will deliver a number of exercises and produce one short film. Pre-requisites: FILM 110 or permission of instructor.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course examines historical and current trends in local food production in Montserrat. In mod 1, the course will highlight how Caribbean plantation economies shaped the land and marine resources that supplied enslaved workers, indentured laborers, smallholders, and large landowners. These practices still influence land use, fisheries, and local markets today. The course includes weekly fieldwork in Montserrat. The first module will be followed by a stand-alone course, a study of small-scale organic farming in the Berkshires. Students may take these courses as a full-semester sequence or as individual courses. Each course will culminate with a written final project. No prerequisites. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course will consist of a study of small-scale organic farming in the Berkshires, focusing on fair labor practices, low-carbon emissions, and food justice. Students will explore the particular foodshed of the Berkshire region of Massachusetts with classroom discussion of current topics related to sustainable agriculture and food consumption and an experiential component featuring demonstrations and hands-on workshops with Berkshire farmers. We will examine sustainable food and “farm to table” eating from multiple perspectives: consumers, chefs/restaurants, and farmers/producers. This course builds on a module focusing on food provisioning in Montserrat, with fieldwork done by students in the Montserrat study away program. Students may take these courses as a full-semester sequence or as individual courses. Each course will culminate with a written final project. No prerequisites. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Often in the media and casual conversation, people in the United States will discuss something, often negative, happening in "Africa." In this course, students will learn that such discussions are, at best, imprecise, and rooted in a Eurocentric perspective and white supremacist tradition. Africa is not a country. It is the second largest continent in the world and contains a remarkable array of languages, societies, and peoples. Africa is not an isolated place on the periphery of the world, but has been integral to global developments since ancient times. Through maps, literature, and other texts, students will examine the establishment, impact, and overthrow of European colonial power in a sample of former British (Kenya & Zimbabwe), French (Algeria), and Portuguese (Mozambique) colonies. In our exploration, we will touch on other African countries. No prerequisites. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Looking at English vocabulary, we would hardly believe that English is a Germanic language: 60% of our vocabulary is derived from Latin and Greek. Perhaps more strikingly, 90% of the words used in the natural sciences have classical origins. Using a textbook on the classical roots of English, students will focus on frequently-used Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes and increase their vocabulary in the fields of medicine, politics, government, psychology, the arts, etc., while improving their comprehension of written English. No prior knowledge of Latin required. ----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course develops essential skills in jazz, with particular focus on improvisation. Activities include application of melodic and harmonic concepts to a broad range of standard professional repertoire, harmonic analysis, and possible public performances. Prerequisite: Performing experience, music theory at the level of Musicianship (Music 103) or higher, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course serves as an introduction to some of the main issues in western philosophy. Emphasis is placed on analytical thinking, speaking, and writing. Issues to be addressed include: external-world skepticism, the existence of God, determinism and free will, personal identity, the objectivity of morality, and the nature of science. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Acting requires fully embodied presence in performance. It also requires full awareness of everything that happens onstage during performance. The Viewpoints are tools which allow the actor to become an active collaborator in the artistic process, empowering him/her to open his/her awareness during performance to the innumerable possibilities of each moment. Through a series of group and individual exercises actors will learn this technique and apply it to text. No prerequisite. This course is a prerequisite for most upper level theater courses.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

As a continuation of Chinese 305, this course is designed to promote competency in the oral use of the language and to increase fluency by reinforcing previously learned structures and by expanding vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. The course emphasizes the practical application of the language, not grammar acquisition or review. All students are expected to participate in discussions, and the use of English is prohibited in this course. Prerequisite: Chinese 305.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

no course description available

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

This is the second semester of an accelerated course designed for students with little or no previous language background of Chinese. It provides a systematic and efficient study of Chinese grammar, vocabulary, oral/aural skills, and reading and writing Chinese characters. The goal of the course is to enable the students to function successfully in most of the basic communicative situations with a native Chinese. Students are also exposed at the same time to Chinese cultural traditions through such activities as viewing Chinese movies, listening to Chinese music, and tasting Chinese cuisine. The class meets four times per week. Prerequisites: CHIN100.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course focuses on a number of representative works of avant-garde and arthouse cinema. We broadly cover the first wave of cinematic modernism emerging after World War I, the French New Wave following World War II, and the development of international "New Waves" afterwards. Additionally, we examine the social and historical concerns many of these films responded to, including their relationships with modernist movements in other art forms. Discussions and screenings take place in every class. Works and auteurs covered include Kieslowski, Resnais, Fellini, Wertmuller, Teshigahara, Akerman, Bergman, and others. Prerequisite: Any one FILM course OR any literature course OR any course in art history / art appreciation.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 302. Topics include reactions of radicals, conjugation, aromaticity, aromatic substitution reactions, carbonyl compounds and their addition reactions, acids and acid derivatives (amides, esters, anhydrides). If time permits, special topics such as: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and pericyclic reactions will be covered. All topics are aimed toward synthesis, and an understanding of the reaction mechanisms, both of and utilizing the compounds of interest. The laboratory experiments will deal with guided organic analysis, culminating in classical qualitative organic analysis. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Chemistry 302 (with a grade of C or higher), and all of its prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students of different experience and abilities learn about all aspects of theater by participating in the College’s production as actors, musicians, composers, writers, assistant designers, dramaturgs and stage managers. Prerequisite Thea 117 and / or audition AS WELL AS PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course is a biweekly meeting during which student choreographers and performers present dance concert bound works in progress for constructive and guided feedback from faculty and peers. Participants may function as choreographers, dancers, composers, musicians, set designers, stage managers, technicians, etc. The process culminates in the final week of tech and dress rehearsal followed by two performances and a final meeting to reflect on the process and the concert experience. All students enrolled in dance composition are required to attend and will not receive extra credit for this class. All other students who participate will receive one pass/fail credit. Auditors are also welcome.

What was the American Revolution, why did it happen, what did it change, and what did it mean for Americans and the world--and what does it mean (or should it mean) to us today? The history course surveys the origins, evolution, and effects of the Revolution in its own time by relating the local history of the Revolution in the Berkshires to events beyond as well as subsequent struggles over memory and justice up to our own time. From conflict over economic resources and political rights to social equality and cultural recognition, the Revolution as a fight for liberty continues to inspire and ignite debate over the unfinished promise of these United States. This course combines interactive lectures and readings of primary sources regarding the Revolution in the Berkshires with visits to local museums, historical sites, and events marking the Revolution’s 250th anniversary to prompt critical thinking about relations between historical memory and social justice. No prerequisites. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This is an introduction to the art of screen printing on both fabric and paper. Students will learn how to work with a variety of stencils and how to coat and expose screens in the darkroom. Students will learn how to register multiple layers, and to manipulate the layering of colors through transparency, viscosity, and brilliance. This class will focus on learning the craft of screen printing but will be subsidized with critiques of student work. We will explore the importance of this technique in the textile and design industries (fabric to posters to paintings), as well as the significant impact the craft has had on conceptual art practices. Students will be challenged by open-ended prompts with a focus on artistic exploration. It is appropriate for all levels.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

The rehearsal and reading of works from part-song and choral literature from the Middle Ages to present. Chorus is open to all students and community members by audition. Previous singing experience and some music reading ability are desirable preparation.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

This course introduces students to prevailing economic theories used by today's policy makers including Keynesian, monetarist, and heterodox. It considers all major economic perspectives, including the central view that markets are a good way to organize the economy, but that markets generate certain significant flaws that need to be fixed. In discussing alternative economic theories and perspectives, the ultimate goal is to increase and deepen students’ awareness and understanding of economic issues, to improve their ability to evaluate various policy options, and to help them decipher political-economic rhetoric. The emphasis is on a conceptual understanding of topics such as economic growth, inflation, unemployment, the role of governments, and fiscal and monetary policies. Looking at the macroeconomic performance of the United States, the class examines the fundamental question of whether the capital accumulation process will inevitably lead to sustained economic growth or to a cyclical pattern of boom and bust. Students develop a sound theoretical and empirical understanding, which enables them to think critically about macroeconomic policy options. Prerequisite: One previous Economics course or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Montserrat is a volcanic island in the Lesser Antilles. It has a wide variety of tropical habitats from extremely dry to extremely wet, and the volcano itself is currently active. This provides an extraordinary opportunity to investigate a wide variety of phenomena in natural history in the field. This course combines lecture-based and field-based components to examine both the biotic and abiotic aspects of natural history in Montserrat. Focuses include botany, entomology, herpetology, ichthyology, malacology, marine biology, ornithology, and volcanic geology and soils. Prerequisites: for the 100-level: none, for the 200-level: BIO 100 or ENVS 100. ----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

What is the human terrestrial condition? Political Ecology focuses on that question by engaging with the political, economic, and cosmological dimensions of human-environment relations through time. As an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary field that draws from geography, anthropology, sociology, political theory, and environmental studies, it has roots in cultural ecology, critical theory, and Marxist political economy. Practitioners of political ecology analyze the ways that power shapes, and is shaped by, the definition and utilization of natural resources across multiple networks and nodes in the modern world system. Since the 1990s, the field has drawn theoretical perspectives from post-structuralism, postcolonial studies, feminist theory, critical race theory, urban studies, queer theory, science and technology studies (STS), post-humanism, Anthropocene studies, and the Rights of Nature (RON) movement. This course adopts a world regional approach to the study of precolonial cultural ecologies and the effects of colonialism, industrial capitalism, and command economies on contemporary humanenvironment relations. Our focal point is the contested terrain where political, economic, and cultural forces articulate with “nature,” local resource management, environmental knowledge, ecological adaptation, and property regimes. Through the study of competing environmental ontologies, epistemologies, and institutional practices, we search for alternative visions of "development," "regional integration," "urban-rural" dichotomies, "core-periphery" dynamics, "stewardship," and "sustainability."----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course provides an introduction to the etiology and treatment of psychological disorders. Using a combination of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V, the course studies the most prevalent disorders, including anxiety disorders, affective disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, personality disorders, developmental and neuro-cognitive disorders. It also explores critical issues of ethics and laws in this complex field. Throughout the semester students will examine these disorders through the lens of various models of psychopathology, including the psychoanalytic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, and socio-cultural models. Students will explore how these models are applied in therapy, as well as how their premises have been tested through empirical research. Case material will be utilized to provide additional insight into the experience of an individual with mental illness and the professionals who work with them. Prerequisite: Psychology 100.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

In this course we will read plays as well as working on our own playwriting. As we read drama from around the world we will study how other dramatists have constructed their plays and solved problems that present themselves to the playwright. We will discuss these plays each week. Each week, students will also write scenes in response to writing prompts and share them with the class. We will then respond as a group to the writer with constructive feedback. Through this practice, inspired by the plays we are reading together and each others' courage, students will begin to hone their authentic dramatic voices and write their own truths. At the end of the course, students will be required to revise at least three of their scenes based on the feedback from the class. These revisions will be submitted with the final portfolio. Prerequisite: A writing class (it does not have to be dramatic writing) and permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Students enrolled in BIO100 must also register for a lab section.

To truly understand biological phenomena, such as how food becomes energy, how muscles contract, and how organisms reproduce, one must look closely at the machinery and functions within a single cell. Cell & Molecular Biology introduces the chemical and molecular basis of cells, focusing on how cells store, copy and use information, acquire resources and energy, and communicate with each other, with the ultimate goal of understanding how these processes go awry in the formation of cancer. In laboratory, students will explore topics related to course content using the tools and techniques of molecular biology while also practicing experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing. Prerequisites: Biology 100 and one semester of college-level chemistry.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students enrolled in CHEM 101 must also enroll in a lab section.

Students enrolled in PHYS 101 must also register for a lab section.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

This course explores how bodies and embodiment are social products of historical and cultural environments. Bodies cannot be separated from lived, multi-sensory experiences, and we investigate the ways in which we encounter and inhabit the world through our bodies. The course considers how the body is experienced, expressed, controlled, imagined, and (com)modified around the world. Our readings and discussions in this advanced seminar will provide an introduction to ethnographic and theoretical understandings of the body and embodiment in society. Theories and topics addressed in this course include, but are not limited to: phenomenological approaches to the body; ideals of beauty and gendered body modification; pain and suffering; commodified bodies and body parts; moving, feeling and experiencing the body; disciplining and controlling the body; the limits and the “end” of the body; decolonizing embodiment; and body positivity. Prerequisites: A 200-level course in the Social Studies division or permission of the instructor. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course aims to provide arts students with practical skills and knowledge to succeed professionally in their discipline. Through a series of exercises and projects, students will research opportunities such as grants, residencies, workshops, and graduate programs in their areas of focus. Additionally, they will learn how to create promotional materials like demo recordings and portfolios as well as artist bios and personal websites. Other topics include arts-adjacent careers, intellectual property, taxes and personal finance, the creative process, self-regard, and coping with rejection. Class sessions will consist of discussions of short reading assignments, work on projects, and talks with professional artists from the Simon’s Rock faculty and beyond. Students will be assessed on their completed projects, several short writing assignments, and participation. Prerequisites: At least one previous course in the arts or one semester of private music lessons.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

It's not enough just to care about an issue, you also have to learn how to communicate your passion in ways that inspire others to stand up and work for positive change. Drawing on the writings and speeches of a variety of inspiring leaders, we will explore the concept and practice of transformational leadership for social and environmental justice. We will learn how to use heartfelt, persuasive rhetorical strategies, in both writing and public speaking, to communicate our vision in a compelling manner. Students will come away from this course more informed about pressing issues of social and environmental justice, along with a toolkit of skills and tactics for inspiring others, and a portfolio of their own efforts to write and speak out on issues they care about.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course serves as a deep inspection of modern C++ programming language. The course starts with a brief review of C and C++ basic syntax, leading to a discussion about pointers and computer memory architecture. Important topics include concepts of object-oriented programming, such as class inheritance and polymorphism, as well as the use of templates. At the end of the course, students should be able to understand modern C++ standards and to complete software projects using advanced programming techniques. Prerequisites: CMPT 100 or equivalent knowledge of programming basics.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course offers a practical, hands-on introduction to Deep Learning, focusing on the fundamentals of neural networks, including Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). Students will learn to apply these concepts effectively in practice using Python and popular libraries such as Keras and PyTorch. The course emphasizes ethical AI, integrating best practices with a focus on responsible and sustainable AI development. Students will complete two individual projects, submit a detailed report documenting their findings, present their work to the class, and/or create a poster to visually communicate their understanding and application of deep learning concepts. Prerequisites: Students should possess strong mathematical and programming skills. Required prerequisites include CMPT 100, CMPT 234 (Data Structures), and CMPT 370 (Supervised Machine Learning) or Prior-Permission from the Instructor. Knowledge of MATH 220 (Linear Algebra), MATH 330 (Statistics I), and CMPT 252 (Discrete Math) is recommended.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

In this course, we study the consequences for economic relations of recent advances in artificial intelligence. Prompted by the recent attention to natural-language chatbots, notably ChatGPT, we consider the broader techno-social context in which these events are unfolding (crypto monetary experiments, token-based authentication, always-on high-bandwidth connectivity). Rather than taking technology as neutral or independent, our work views it through the lens of material, frequently colonial, relations of ownership, governance, management and surveillance. We consider, potentially reformulate, and attempt to answer foundational questions posed by these new techno-social conditions: "What does it mean for work and labor to continue?" "How must our relationship to text change?" "What education is worth the time?" In the class, we also reimagine pedagogical forms for these changed circumstances: in particular, we prioritize and are accountable to our synchronous and in-person interactions. Students are encouraged to develop their expressiveness and fluency in digital forms (programming languages, digital graphic forms, virtual reality, digital socialities, network architecture, etc.) in a final portfolio and related presentations. Prerequisites: Principles of Economics or a previous 100-level course in the social studies, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Mountains captivate the imagination, inspiring awe, reverence, fear, determination... In many cultures, mountains are viewed as untamed, sacred places worthy of respect and worship, while in others, as remote, perilous places waiting to be conquered. Mountaineering (specifically, high altitude mountaineering) embodies an inherent tension between these competing worldviews; the literature about mountaineering illustrates that tension while suggesting something significant about the precarious state of the world. Through an "ecocritical reading" (an interdisciplinary critical analysis of how literature presents the relationship between people and nature in order to posit solutions to environmental problems) of mountaineering literature, students will contend with big questions about the human condition, conflicting worldviews, climate change, resilience, and our shared future in the Anthropocene. They will also consider how this ecocritical reading might inform individual and collective attitudes and actions. Primarily a reading course, an indoor rock-climbing session and 1 or 2 field trips are included.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

In this class, we will examine foundational questions in ethics. We will discuss the objectivity of morality, the nature of well-being, and the rules that govern right conduct. Is there an objective fact about right and wrong, or is morality relative to persons or cultures? What is it to live a good life? What rules--if any--determine what is right or wrong? How should we make moral decisions? Three applications of ethical theory will help guide our discussion: our duties to the less fortunate, ethical vegetarianism, and the value of the environment. Grades will be assigned on the basis of papers, exams, and class participation. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course explores the dynamics of interpersonal and community or societal-level trauma – including domestic violence, sexual assault, childhood abuse, war and natural disasters. The emphasis will be looking at how trauma impacts individuals on all levels, reshaping the body and brain, social relationships, and relations to self, others, and one’s communities. We will also explore various treatments from the traditional to the innovative that are being used to address the consequences of interpersonal trauma. Prerequisites: successful completion of one 200 level and one 300 level psychology course or permission from the instructor.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course is designed for any student who has taken either SART 103 or SART 113 and who have a desire to further their studio practice within a community of their peers. The course will focus on establishing a personal studio practice through the communal exploration of contemporary themes as it relates to the inception and creation of two-dimensional art. Students will also be expected to practice process journaling within their sketchbooks through drawing and writing and to participate in group critiques at the completion of each project. There will be one required field trip to NYC to visit artist's studios. Prerequisites: SART 103, SART 113, or permission of the instructor. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

The field of modern performance is saturated with technology. As such, creative and effective programming has become essential to the successful development of and implementation of many modern technical designs. This course will provide students a comprehensive overview of the programs and techniques required to program lights, sound, and projections for modern theater. Topics covered will include patching, cueing, and control of both traditional and intelligent lighting fixtures. After taking this course, successful students will be well equipped to implement a variety of theatrical designs during the technical process. Through in class projects, students will have the opportunity to learn first hand the creative strategies involved in programming and to engage with the challenges of this process with their peers.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

In this course we will read plays as well as working on our own playwriting. As we read drama from around the world we will study how other dramatists have constructed their plays and solved problems that present themselves to the playwright. We will discuss these plays each week. Each week, students will also write scenes in response to writing prompts and share them with the class. We will then respond as a group to the writer with constructive feedback. Through this practice, inspired by the plays we are reading together and each others' courage, students will begin to hone their authentic dramatic voices and write their own truths. At the end of the course, students will be required to revise at least three of their scenes based on the feedback from the class. These revisions will be submitted with the final portfolio. Prerequisite: A writing class (it does not have to be dramatic writing) and permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

The field of modern performance is saturated with technology. As such, creative and effective programming has become essential to the successful development of and implementation of many modern technical designs. This course will provide students a comprehensive overview of the programs and techniques required to program lights, sound, and projections for modern theater. Topics covered will include patching, cueing, and control of both traditional and intelligent lighting fixtures. After taking this course, successful students will be well equipped to implement a variety of theatrical designs during the technical process. Through in class projects, students will have the opportunity to learn first hand the creative strategies involved in programming and to engage with the challenges of this process with their peers.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

This course examines in detail the chemistry of the main group and transition metal elements, examining the effects of electron configuration in the determination of the geometry and spin-state of inorganic complexes. Students also examine how the size of an atom and the charge on it affect the compounds it forms and study the applications of group theory to chemistry. This lays the base for further studies both in organometallic chemistry and coordination chemistry. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101 and Mathematics 211 or higher (with a grade of C or higher) or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course provides an in-depth exploration of data engineering, combining foundational concepts with hands-on experience in both traditional and modern technologies. It covers the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the field of data engineering, from database design to big data frameworks. Prerequisite: CMPT 100, CMPT 321 or Permission from Instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Movement is a powerful means of communication, ranging from literal gesture to abstract motion. This course explores strategies for movement invention and composition. Both improvisation--the spontaneous generation of movement that is ephemeral--and choreography--the setting of dances so they can be reconstructed--will be utilized. In this multi-level class, students are given tools which will allow them to develop basic principles of dance composition through themed improvisations, solo choreographies and group composition. Students learn to be critically aware of their own work and develop effective communication skills when analyzing and critiquing the work of others. Improvisation and choreography will take place in class and for homework. Supplemental readings, viewings, and attendance at on campus events are also required. Dance composition students are required to attend Dance Concert Workshop.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course will cover the history of conservation biology and provide an overview of global conservation issues including endangered species, invasive species, overharvesting, habitat modification, ecosystem functioning, climate change, and biodiversity. ​Students will evaluate the success of strategies managers use to protect and restore species and ecosystems and discuss the challenges associated with implementing conservation practices. Each student will write a paper and give a presentation on a conservation topic of interest. Students will participate in a local conservation initiative through service learning. Prerequisites for the 300-level: Any 200-level ENVS or BIO course. Prerequisites for the 200-level: Any 100-level ENVS or BIO course.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Masculinity, Femininity, Gender, Performativity, Normativity, Power, Queer... How can we make sense of a set of words whose meaning is constantly changing? How can we understand a fluid term such as queer that functions as an umbrella for numerous expressions of identity? What are the preconceptions that QT problematizes? What are the foundational ideas that form QT? How did these ideas become part of the current field of study? How can we assess the applicability of these ideas to western and non-western societies? This course will undertake these doubts—and others— through key texts produced before and after the birth of Queer Studies as an academic discipline. This course will also approach these texts within their own historical contexts, and encourage students to adopt a critical position to the texts based on their own social and personal experiences. Prerequisites: At least one 200 level course on Literature or Social Studies----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

In this course students will practice and refine image making and image sequencing skills through the use of various photographic, and time-based methods. Throughout the semester they will produce groupings of images (moving and still) using their choice of darkroom photography, scanned color negatives, digital photographs, and video. Students will be introduced to color film photography that they can send away for development, scan, and edit; digital photography along with basic Photoshop editing tutorials, and video editing techniques via Adobe Premiere. However, the class will operate less like a material survey and more like an experimental narrative class. Through the study of 4 primary texts, and several shorter readings and screening students will discuss and dissect the way metaphor, metonymy, and symbolism is created with images, and their sequencing. The class will involve weekly assignments with close readings, written responses, and monthly assignments that involve the production of their own serial images. Students are strongly encouraged to provide their own 35mm manual film cameras and/or DSLR digital cameras, although a smartphone will likely suffice. This course has a materials fee. For this particular season of the class, in the fall of 2020, there will be a focus on memoir, as we live through and reflect on the Covid-19 pandemic. We will read texts that function like memoirs, excerpts from actual memoirs (contemporary and ancient), and we will watch and look at experimental memoirs that approach and contend with the difficult stuff of life. Using language and images students in this class will create memoirs (a collection of memories) in a non-linear fashion. We will activate our approaches towards these reflective projects with poetry, theory, photographic projects and experimental video. Practicing memoir (as distinct from autobiography) students will tell their own stories in expansive and unexpected ways.

This course introduces the concepts of special relativity, including time dilation, length contraction, and the famous equivalence of matter and energy. These concepts will be applied to understand earthbound and astrophysical phenomena. The course also introduces Big Bang cosmology, and reviews the evidence for dark matter and dark energy. Prerequisite: Physics 100.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course will focus on advanced wheel throwing techniques and build upon the skills learned in Introduction to Ceramics. Emphasis will be on utility and aesthetics, while working in a series that encourages intense investigation into what makes for a visually interesting and well crafted functional pot. Students will learn to make their own clays and glazes, as well as learn to fire their own work in electric, gas, wood kilns. Drinking vessels, bowls, plates, vases, pitchers, jars, teapots, and serving pieces will be explored. Through slides, lectures and films, students will be exposed to a broader range of contemporary and historical ceramic art. The class will maintain a blog and students will learn to photograph their work, write about it, and post blog entries. Prerequisite: Studio Art 106.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course is for those who want to expand on the hand building, wheel throwing, and glazing skills developed in Studio Art 106. Students may choose whether to throw, hand build, or combine techniques in order to fulfill assignments. Advanced glazing techniques will be explored. Kiln loading and firing methods as well as mold making will be introduced. We will view and discuss slides of historical and contemporary ceramics throughout the course. The class will involve keeping a sketchbook, a field trip, and a group show of work. Prerequisite: 207 and 208, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This is a hands-on course where students will learn the process and general skills needed for theatrical costume execution from inception to finished product. Strong emphasis will be placed on planning effectively in order to produce real costumes for a given play, as envisioned by a director, within a budget and a prescribed period of time. Along with methods of effective research and planning, students will be exposed to the skills needed to find, purchase, adapt, and/or construct costumes and props. Students will learn hand sewing, machine sewing, needle felting, beading, sequining, mending, how to attach buttons, waxing canvas, molding leather, and beginning leather craft. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This is the second semester of an accelerated course designed for students with little or no previous language background of Chinese. It provides a systematic and efficient study of Chinese grammar, vocabulary, oral/aural skills, and reading and writing Chinese characters. The goal of the course is to enable the students to function successfully in most of the basic communicative situations with a native Chinese. Students are also exposed at the same time to Chinese cultural traditions through such activities as viewing Chinese movies, listening to Chinese music, and tasting Chinese cuisine. The class meets four times per week. Prerequisites: CHIN100.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

no course description available----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

After introductory individual projects, students will work on collaborative teams to create interactive programs using the Unity 3D authoring tool. Students will learn essential elements of interactivity-- branching, control with mouse and/or keyboard, etc.--forming the building blocks of the more complex structures found in game development. Content will be created and edited by team members working in all of the primary digital arts creation tools, including work in 3D using Blender, the premier open source modeling and animation program. Class members, working as individuals and/or in small teams, will explore and create works that combine traditional arts disciplines and media (including performing and studio arts) with human interaction via the computer interface. In addition to becoming familiar with the technical aspects of interactive multimedia, the class will explore the aesthetic and conceptual dimensions. Open to all levels.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

In this reading-intensive mod, we will study one of the world's most acclaimed novels, Victor Hugo's Les Misérables (1862). We will closely read the original novel in its entirety with the hopes of understanding --and certainly discussing-- what about this story speaks to people across centuries and cultural frontiers. Why has Les Misérables inspired over 40 film adaptations since 1897, shortly after cinema as we know it was born? Why is it one of the longest-running Broadway musicals? We will examine the novel’s structure and literary techniques, and, drawing upon this formal analysis, we will try to unravel its thematic complexities. We will thus explore the manner in which the novel treats a series of large social issues that persist into the present, such as the consequences of income inequality, sexual violence against women, police violence, social redemption, spiritual salvation, and how best to approach social revolution. Comparing the novel to some of its modern screen adaptations will be another way for us to better grasp its uniqueness. Lastly, the historical and realist dimensions of the novel will allow us to go on a journey through the architecture and history of Paris. This course will be taught in English. Students with advanced proficiency in French are welcome to read the book in its original language. All written assignments are due in English. No prerequisites. ----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course reinforces the understanding of camera functions, exposure, and workflow acquired in 100-level Photography classes. Students are invited to work at their desired level (200, 300, or 400) and in their desired medium; scanning color film and making digital prints, or using digital tools from start to finish. Film and digital students will critique together to practice, share and discuss, the skills necessary to make and evaluate their work with an acute attenuation to color, a bigger emphasis on print quality, image sequencing, and content. We will always be asking: Why make photographs? And for whom do we make them? The course will challenge students to concern themselves with the contemporary causes and effects of "the camera," and ask them how their work engages with larger concepts--clarifying while moving beyond notions of "the self." Photography itself is expanded in this class by including devices such as cell phones, scanners, and video cameras. This course supports the development of creative working methods by providing students with an understanding of digital capture, editing, and output. Students will be expected to work independently on self-driven projects over the course of the semester, in addition to reading, and discussing several texts pertaining to pixel-based and traditional photographic art-forms. Prerequisite: Photography 102. Studio fee.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This class is founded on the idea that drawing is a "global" skill not unlike driving or reading that can be learned by accessing the hemisphere of your brain where our non-verbal and intuitive skills are developed. This idea is based on two organizing principles and major aims: to teach the student five basic component skills of drawing and to provide the student with conditions that facilitate making cognitive shifts to the thinking/seeing mode of your brain for drawing. We will learn to perceive edges, spaces, relationships, lights and shadows and the gestalt or whole. This is an essential course for anyone wishing to learn how to draw, paint and perceive color more accurately. It is also a prerequisite for Drawing Studio.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Using a variety of theater games and experiential prompts, this seven-week introductory course invites participants to leap into the unknown and discover their sense of playfulness and spontaneity in a brave and welcoming space. Working in pairs and small groups, students will cultivate vital skills of collaboration, flexibility, and self-expression. Through the creation and analysis of short form improvised performance, students will also stretch their imaginations and invent entirely original characters, scenarios, worlds, and stories.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This is a hands-on course where students will learn the process and general skills needed for theatrical costume execution from inception to finished product. Strong emphasis will be placed on planning effectively in order to produce real costumes for a given play, as envisioned by a director, within a budget and a prescribed period of time. Along with methods of effective research and planning, students will be exposed to the skills needed to find, purchase, adapt, and/or construct costumes and props. Students will learn hand sewing, machine sewing, needle felting, beading, sequining, mending, how to attach buttons, waxing canvas, molding leather, and beginning leather craft. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Students enrolled in BIO100 must also register for a lab section.

An examination of the fundamentals of nervous system function, this course begins with the cell biology of neurons, and expands into an exploration of how nerves function as part of larger neural circuits. We discuss sensory systems for vision, pain, taste, sound, and balance. We also discuss the integration of nerve inputs in the motor system. Finally, we cover topics of higher brain function, including topics such as emotion, memory, behavior, and language. We explore current literature on important neurobiological topics including neurological damage and disease and neurological and psychiatric disorders. Prerequisites: Biology 201 and/or Biology 276, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students enrolled in CHEM 101 must also enroll in a lab section.

Montserrat is a volcanic island in the Lesser Antilles. It has a wide variety of tropical habitats from extremely dry to extremely wet, and the volcano itself is currently active. This provides an extraordinary opportunity to investigate a wide variety of phenomena in natural history in the field. This course combines lecture-based and field-based components to examine both the biotic and abiotic aspects of natural history in Montserrat. Focuses include botany, entomology, herpetology, ichthyology, malacology, marine biology, ornithology, and volcanic geology and soils. Prerequisites: for the 100-level: none, for the 200-level: BIO 100 or ENVS 100. ----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course will cover the history of conservation biology and provide an overview of global conservation issues including endangered species, invasive species, overharvesting, habitat modification, ecosystem functioning, climate change, and biodiversity. ​Students will evaluate the success of strategies managers use to protect and restore species and ecosystems and discuss the challenges associated with implementing conservation practices. Each student will write a paper and give a presentation on a conservation topic of interest. Students will participate in a local conservation initiative through service learning. Prerequisites for the 300-level: Any 200-level ENVS or BIO course. Prerequisites for the 200-level: Any 100-level ENVS or BIO course.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students enrolled in PHYS 101 must also register for a lab section.

no course description available----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Topics in Dance, a seven-week mod, is an umbrella course which provides exposure to various facets of the world of movement and dance that are not part of the dance programs core curriculum. Litefeet is an electrifying hip hop street dance style that originated in Harlem, New York. It follows dances from the early 2000s such as the Chicken Noodle Soup, the Aunt Jackie, and the Tone Whop. Litefeet has significantly influenced hip hop culture and has recently been featured in movies like the musical In The Heights, introducing it to a global audience.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This is a course is designed to give students an introduction to a photographic/artistic practice, using a 35mm film camera, student experiences, and the darkroom as tools. It will teach students how to measure light, using their camera ' s light meter (or an external meter) and how to meter appropriately for "correct" exposures. The class will focus on debunking the myths of what makes a "good" or a "bad" photograph, thinking about presentness, error, spontaneity, and eventually planning, posing, and positioning as tools to work with or against. The class is directed by four themes to assist in the development of a photograph eye. By looking at photographic artists, news and media images (as a means to situate contemporary photography, as well as its methods and uses, in a broader historical context) students in this class will not only practice photography, they will develop a critical and intuitive relationship to images and image making. The primary goal of this course is to encourage you to engage the medium of black and white photography in an active, personal, and creative way. Students are strongly encouraged to provide their own 35mm manual film cameras. Prerequisite: Photography 102 is required to take this course at the 200-level. This course has a lab and materials fee.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course offers an in-depth exploration of Dream of the Red Chamber (Hongloumeng), China’s greatest literary masterpiece. Through close reading and critical analysis of key excerpts, students will examine the novel’s rich narrative, complex characters, and cultural contexts. We will focus on themes such as family dynamics, class structures, gender roles, and the influence of previous literary traditions, including classical poetry, drama, and earlier fiction. Additionally, students will engage with historical commentaries and modern interpretations, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the novel’s lasting impact on Chinese literature and society. This course is for native speakers, heritage students, or Chinese learners who are able to read Chinese literary works in the target language or with the instructor’s permission. The course will be conducted in Chinese. ----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course focuses on a number of representative works of avant-garde and arthouse cinema. We broadly cover the first wave of cinematic modernism emerging after World War I, the French New Wave following World War II, and the development of international "New Waves" afterwards. Additionally, we examine the social and historical concerns many of these films responded to, including their relationships with modernist movements in other art forms. Discussions and screenings take place in every class. Works and auteurs covered include Kieslowski, Resnais, Fellini, Wertmuller, Teshigahara, Akerman, Bergman, and others. Prerequisite: Any one FILM course OR any literature course OR any course in art history / art appreciation.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This introductory survey course reviews the essential history of Cuba's colonial and post-colonial history, with a focus on the late 18th century to the present. Through the reading of primary and secondary sources, students will learn about major developments in Cuban history, from the spread of sugar plantations and slavery and the abolition of slavery to wars for independence and the formation of the Cuban nation and national identity. Other topics include: the formation of a neo-colonial republic and growing U.S. hegemony over Cuba's politics, economy, and culture; the rise of the Batista dictatorship, the Cold War, and the revolution led by Fidel Castro; the revolutionary project in the 1960s and 1970s, and U.S. reaction against it; the conditions of women, Afro-Cubans, and artists in the Revolution; the fall of the USSR and the "Special Period"; and reforms in the twenty-first century. Prerequisites: Seminar I. History 110: Introduction to History, and/or History 147: Introduction to U.S. History, recommended.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

Students of different experience and abilities learn about all aspects of theater by participating in the College’s production as actors, musicians, composers, writers, assistant designers, dramaturgs and stage managers. Prerequisite Thea 117 and / or audition AS WELL AS PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

The chamber ensemble is engaged in the reading, rehearsal, and performance of classical and modern literature for larger chamber and smaller orchestral ensembles. It is open to students of intermediate to advanced skill on orchestral instruments (strings, woodwind, brass). Individual students may be selected to perform solo concertos with the ensemble. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

The rehearsal and reading of jazz literature from a wide range of styles. Open to all students and community members by audition. Some ability to read music is required.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

All first-year students are required to take the two-semester First-Year Seminar.

no course description available----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

no course description available

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

The FYE sequence (FYE 100 and FYE 101) supports students holistically in their transition to the academic, leadership, and social terrains of Simon's Rock. It is designed to help students develop skills that will enable them to thrive during their time on campus. Students will explore a variety of topics, including success strategies, personal goals and self-awareness, civic responsibility and social action, and areas of personal and professional interest. Students will develop essential skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are necessary for student success.

Often in the media and casual conversation, people in the United States will discuss something, often negative, happening in "Africa." In this course, students will learn that such discussions are, at best, imprecise, and rooted in a Eurocentric perspective and white supremacist tradition. Africa is not a country. It is the second largest continent in the world and contains a remarkable array of languages, societies, and peoples. Africa is not an isolated place on the periphery of the world, but has been integral to global developments since ancient times. Through maps, literature, and other texts, students will examine the establishment, impact, and overthrow of European colonial power in a sample of former British (Kenya & Zimbabwe), French (Algeria), and Portuguese (Mozambique) colonies. In our exploration, we will touch on other African countries. No prerequisites. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course focuses on the ways that Indigenous filmmakers (directors and writers) explore Indigenous lives, voices, and narratives. Through viewing films and reading texts about visual representation, we will consider questions such as: How are Indigenous and other non-Western peoples depicted? From whose points of view are the stories told? Whose voices dominate the film's narrative and perspective? We will view films from Indigenous filmmakers from many countries and continents, including Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Native North and South America, India, China, and the Philippines. The course will also consider how social and political issues involving Indigenous peoples are presented. Prerequisite: one course in social studies or film.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course examines collective social action in response to crises and transformations in societies, with a particular focus on millenarian thinking. Millenarian thinking is the belief that following a major transformation everything will be different, due either to rapture (the rising up of a new, and better, society) or to rupture (the destruction of existing, and good, social order). Various examples of millenarian thinking, including apocalyptic expectations as found in major world and syncretic religions and throughout history and across cultures, are examined. In Rapture and Rupture Part I, we will explore utopian societies in 18th and 19th century America such as The Shakers, The Oneida Community, Brook Farm, Icarians, and those communities inspired by French philosopher Charles Fourier. We will then turn our attention to a more contemporary utopian society turned tragic in the case of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project (AKA "Jonestown"). Finally, we conclude with an examination of intentional communities, created in response to the pressures of capitalism, climate change, and social injustice, in the United States, Denmark, Taiwan, Australia, India, and Brazil.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course examines collective social action in response to crises and transformations in societies, with a particular focus on millenarian thinking. Millenarian thinking is the belief that following a major transformation everything will be different, due either to rapture (the rising up of a new, and better, society) or to rupture (the destruction of existing, and good, social order). Various examples of millenarian thinking, including apocalyptic expectations as found in major world and syncretic religions and throughout history and across cultures, are examined. In Rapture and Rupture Part II, we will explore New Religious Movements (NRM), movements with relatively modern origins but which are peripheral to society’s dominant religious culture. We explore pacifist movements such as the Bahá'í Faith, Christian Science, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the rise of the Rastafari movement. Frequently included under the NRM label are those groups ultimately known as "cults," whose histories are marked by violence and individual or collective tragedy. Here, we examine Aum Shinrikyo in Japan, Order of the Solar Temple, Heaven’s Gate, and the Branch Davidians, as well as The Church of Scientology and the Albany, NY-based NXIVM, now in the news.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course explores how bodies and embodiment are social products of historical and cultural environments. Bodies cannot be separated from lived, multi-sensory experiences, and we investigate the ways in which we encounter and inhabit the world through our bodies. The course considers how the body is experienced, expressed, controlled, imagined, and (com)modified around the world. Our readings and discussions in this advanced seminar will provide an introduction to ethnographic and theoretical understandings of the body and embodiment in society. Theories and topics addressed in this course include, but are not limited to: phenomenological approaches to the body; ideals of beauty and gendered body modification; pain and suffering; commodified bodies and body parts; moving, feeling and experiencing the body; disciplining and controlling the body; the limits and the “end” of the body; decolonizing embodiment; and body positivity. Prerequisites: A 200-level course in the Social Studies division or permission of the instructor. ----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course examines relationships between language and gender. Specifically, how and to what extent are gender differences manifested in language? Do women and men employ alternatives of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammatical structure? Are men's and women's conversational strategies significantly different? Do languages encode divergent cultural messages about women and men through the ways in which they label or talk about people? Although the majority of data considered is derived from English, linguistic and cultural evidence from other societies will also be explored. Prerequisites: One course in social studies or linguistics.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This class is designed as an introduction to art history, looking primarily at the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries up to 1945, examining seminal artworks that changed the world, caused an uproar, turned everything upside down; cultural production that represented and emerged from a world changing at a rapid pace and in novel and unprecedented ways. We begin by tracing the origins of art as a distinct field in "Modern culture." We will look at European modernisms, including Dada, Futurism, Surrealism, Impressionism, Realism, Brutalism, Romanticism, Capitalism, Communism, Colonialism, Nationalism (and more) and we will ask: "who decides what’s modern and what is valuable in art? Why? Who stands to gain?" At the same time, we will recognize the unevenness and complexity of Modernisms in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. Along the way we will begin to explore the stakes and practice some of the fundamental methods and skills for doing art history.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Trans people figure prominently in histories of the 20th century, making appearances in bars, clinics, courtrooms, and entertainment media, however, the spectacle and stakes of trans visibility in the US have never been more dramatized than in the media and politics of today. This course analyzes art, music, literature, and film addressing topics related to trans aesthetics and asks, what are the categories, judgments, and strategies that define and are defined by trans people, trans cultural production, and trans social practices? How do race, class, nationality, ability and other forms of subjectification intersect or overdetermine these areas? This course cuts across borders and times, both national and historical, as well as in the disciplines of visual studies, media, history of science, art history, legal scholarship, and literature. Prerequisites: a 100-level art history course or suitable 100-level course in a humanities discipline. To take the course at the 300-level, another 200-level theory or reading heavy course in the humanities is required. ----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

After introductory individual projects, students will work on collaborative teams to create interactive programs using the Unity 3D authoring tool. Students will learn essential elements of interactivity-- branching, control with mouse and/or keyboard, etc.--forming the building blocks of the more complex structures found in game development. Content will be created and edited by team members working in all of the primary digital arts creation tools, including work in 3D using Blender, the premier open source modeling and animation program. Class members, working as individuals and/or in small teams, will explore and create works that combine traditional arts disciplines and media (including performing and studio arts) with human interaction via the computer interface. In addition to becoming familiar with the technical aspects of interactive multimedia, the class will explore the aesthetic and conceptual dimensions. Open to all levels.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course aims to provide arts students with practical skills and knowledge to succeed professionally in their discipline. Through a series of exercises and projects, students will research opportunities such as grants, residencies, workshops, and graduate programs in their areas of focus. Additionally, they will learn how to create promotional materials like demo recordings and portfolios as well as artist bios and personal websites. Other topics include arts-adjacent careers, intellectual property, taxes and personal finance, the creative process, self-regard, and coping with rejection. Class sessions will consist of discussions of short reading assignments, work on projects, and talks with professional artists from the Simon’s Rock faculty and beyond. Students will be assessed on their completed projects, several short writing assignments, and participation. Prerequisites: At least one previous course in the arts or one semester of private music lessons.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Daoism has had a major impact on Chinese intellectual and spiritual life for over two millennia. A philosophy that emphasizes individual development, immersion in nature, the rejection of societal convention, and the cultivation of natural virtue, it has been embraced by scholars, painters, poets, and political thinkers. A religion derived from classical philosophy, folk practices, Buddhism, and Yogic techniques, it perseveres in village rituals, global popular culture, and dissident sects like China's Falungong. Taijiquan is a Daoist system of moving meditation and a martial art based on slowly flowing and subtly configured motions. Practiced worldwide, it is "the dance of Daoism," providing insight and personal experience of Daoist principles found in major texts like the Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi, and Liezi. This course provides students with the opportunity to read classical texts on Daoism and Taijiquan and to study the Thirteen Postures, a Yang style form of Taijiquan. We also read Daoist nature poetry, Tang dynasty Daoist short stories, and an account of the life of Guan Saihong, a Daoist master (and if possible, we will have Guan visit the class). Our practice of Taijiquan and work on textual interpretation is supplemented with free-ranging discussions (talks) on Daoism in the spirit of the School of Pure Conversation, a Daoist group of the first millennium that emphasized free expression and a sharpening of the imagination. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Social Studies Division requirement

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts, methods of observation, and major currents of thinking in the life sciences today, laying the groundwork for both the theoretical knowledge and the skills necessary for a deeper understanding of the biological sciences. The three major topics covered are the molecular basis of cellular function, organismal life strategies and evolution, and the flow of matter and energy in the biosphere. Students will also build their observational skills as well as skills in scientific literacy, experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing. Students enrolled in this course must participate in the laboratory, and there is a laboratory fee. No prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students enrolled in BIO100 must also register for a lab section.

Students enrolled in BIO100 must also register for a lab section.

To truly understand biological phenomena, such as how food becomes energy, how muscles contract, and how organisms reproduce, one must look closely at the machinery and functions within a single cell. Cell & Molecular Biology introduces the chemical and molecular basis of cells, focusing on how cells store, copy and use information, acquire resources and energy, and communicate with each other, with the ultimate goal of understanding how these processes go awry in the formation of cancer. In laboratory, students will explore topics related to course content using the tools and techniques of molecular biology while also practicing experimental design, data analysis and scientific writing. Prerequisites: Biology 100 and one semester of college-level chemistry.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

no course description available----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

An examination of the fundamentals of nervous system function, this course begins with the cell biology of neurons, and expands into an exploration of how nerves function as part of larger neural circuits. We discuss sensory systems for vision, pain, taste, sound, and balance. We also discuss the integration of nerve inputs in the motor system. Finally, we cover topics of higher brain function, including topics such as emotion, memory, behavior, and language. We explore current literature on important neurobiological topics including neurological damage and disease and neurological and psychiatric disorders. Prerequisites: Biology 201 and/or Biology 276, or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 100. Topics covered include solutions, acid/base theory, kinetics, equilibria, thermodynamics of chemical reactions, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory experiments mostly deal with classic qualitative inorganic analysis; other experiments illustrate and magnify lecture topics. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 100 (with a grade of C or higher).----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

Students enrolled in CHEM 101 must also enroll in a lab section.

Students enrolled in CHEM 101 must also enroll in a lab section.

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 302. Topics include reactions of radicals, conjugation, aromaticity, aromatic substitution reactions, carbonyl compounds and their addition reactions, acids and acid derivatives (amides, esters, anhydrides). If time permits, special topics such as: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and pericyclic reactions will be covered. All topics are aimed toward synthesis, and an understanding of the reaction mechanisms, both of and utilizing the compounds of interest. The laboratory experiments will deal with guided organic analysis, culminating in classical qualitative organic analysis. Laboratory fee. Prerequisite: Chemistry 302 (with a grade of C or higher), and all of its prerequisites.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course examines in detail the chemistry of the main group and transition metal elements, examining the effects of electron configuration in the determination of the geometry and spin-state of inorganic complexes. Students also examine how the size of an atom and the charge on it affect the compounds it forms and study the applications of group theory to chemistry. This lays the base for further studies both in organometallic chemistry and coordination chemistry. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101 and Mathematics 211 or higher (with a grade of C or higher) or permission of the instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

It's not enough just to care about an issue, you also have to learn how to communicate your passion in ways that inspire others to stand up and work for positive change. Drawing on the writings and speeches of a variety of inspiring leaders, we will explore the concept and practice of transformational leadership for social and environmental justice. We will learn how to use heartfelt, persuasive rhetorical strategies, in both writing and public speaking, to communicate our vision in a compelling manner. Students will come away from this course more informed about pressing issues of social and environmental justice, along with a toolkit of skills and tactics for inspiring others, and a portfolio of their own efforts to write and speak out on issues they care about.----This course counts towards the Language and Literature Division requirement

This course is primarily designed for first-year undergraduate students as an introduction to the field of computer science and fundamental concepts of computer programming. It utilizes Python programming and is suitable for students without any prior programming experience. Throughout the course, students will acquire knowledge in Python fundamentals, data types, writing functions, debugging, and solving real-life problems using programming concepts. No prerequisite.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course serves as a deep inspection of modern C++ programming language. The course starts with a brief review of C and C++ basic syntax, leading to a discussion about pointers and computer memory architecture. Important topics include concepts of object-oriented programming, such as class inheritance and polymorphism, as well as the use of templates. At the end of the course, students should be able to understand modern C++ standards and to complete software projects using advanced programming techniques. Prerequisites: CMPT 100 or equivalent knowledge of programming basics.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to operating systems, focusing on their design, architecture, and core functions. Topics include process management, memory management, file systems, and resource allocation, with an emphasis on synchronization and concurrency. Students will explore how operating systems manage hardware and software resources while ensuring efficiency and security. Through lectures, hands-on labs, and projects, participants will develop practical skills in operating systems programming and gain a deeper understanding of the principles that underpin modern operating systems. This course serves as a foundational step for advanced studies in computer science and engineering. Prerequisites: Students typically need a foundational understanding of computer science principles, programming skills (often in C language), and familiarity with basic data structures. The prerequisites for this course are CMPT 100 (Introduction to CS) and CMPT 242 (Programming in C/C++), or prior-permission from the instructor. ----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

The mathematical foundations of computer science, including propositional and predicate logic, sets, algorithm growth and asymptotic analysis, mathematical induction and recursion, permutations and combinations, discrete probability, solving recurrences, order relations, graphs, and trees. This is a required course for CMPT 243 (Algorithms and Data Structures). Prerequisite: A 200-level Math course.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

The course presents an introduction to database management systems (DBMS), with an emphasis on using the system for modeling and querying information. The main focus is on data models and database design, relational algebra and SQL, and data analytics, with a short introduction to the internals of relational database engines. The course includes a project, which involves developing an embedded database application. Prerequisite: CMPT 100 and at least one additional programming course.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course provides an in-depth exploration of data engineering, combining foundational concepts with hands-on experience in both traditional and modern technologies. It covers the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the field of data engineering, from database design to big data frameworks. Prerequisite: CMPT 100, CMPT 321 or Permission from Instructor.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This course offers a practical, hands-on introduction to Deep Learning, focusing on the fundamentals of neural networks, including Deep Neural Networks (DNNs), Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), and Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs). Students will learn to apply these concepts effectively in practice using Python and popular libraries such as Keras and PyTorch. The course emphasizes ethical AI, integrating best practices with a focus on responsible and sustainable AI development. Students will complete two individual projects, submit a detailed report documenting their findings, present their work to the class, and/or create a poster to visually communicate their understanding and application of deep learning concepts. Prerequisites: Students should possess strong mathematical and programming skills. Required prerequisites include CMPT 100, CMPT 234 (Data Structures), and CMPT 370 (Supervised Machine Learning) or Prior-Permission from the Instructor. Knowledge of MATH 220 (Linear Algebra), MATH 330 (Statistics I), and CMPT 252 (Discrete Math) is recommended.----This course counts towards the Science, Math, and Computing Division requirement

This multi-level class introduces a modern dance technique that develops expressiveness, proper alignment, efficient and clear movement, musicality, spatial awareness, coordination, flexibility, strength, and the ability to dance with others. Course material consists of warm-up exercises, dance combinations, anatomical information, and imagery. Short readings and film clips introduce students to past and current dancers and choreographers. Expectations are tailored to the student’s specific level of proficiency. Students must have completed 2 semesters of 100 level technique in order to advance to the 200 level.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

This course is a biweekly meeting during which student choreographers and performers present dance concert bound works in progress for constructive and guided feedback from faculty and peers. Participants may function as choreographers, dancers, composers, musicians, set designers, stage managers, technicians, etc. The process culminates in the final week of tech and dress rehearsal followed by two performances and a final meeting to reflect on the process and the concert experience. All students enrolled in dance composition are required to attend and will not receive extra credit for this class. All other students who participate will receive one pass/fail credit. Auditors are also welcome.

Topics in Dance, a seven-week mod, is an umbrella course which provides exposure to various facets of the world of movement and dance that are not part of the dance programs core curriculum. Litefeet is an electrifying hip hop street dance style that originated in Harlem, New York. It follows dances from the early 2000s such as the Chicken Noodle Soup, the Aunt Jackie, and the Tone Whop. Litefeet has significantly influenced hip hop culture and has recently been featured in movies like the musical In The Heights, introducing it to a global audience.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement

Flamenco dance, which originated in nineteenth century Spain and is known for its emotional intensity, expressive use of the arms and rhythmic stamping of the feet, has come into its own in the U.S in the past few decades. In this course students will become familiar with basic flamenco vocabulary, arm and hand movements (braceo), foot technique (taconeo), hand clapping (palmas) and specific rhythmic patterns and themes of flamenco (palos). The flamenco courses also provide a historical and cultural overview through discussion, texts, film, and research.----This course counts towards the Arts Division requirement