History and Social Sciences Courses

The History and Social Sciences Department program is designed to provide students with a curriculum that will allow them to think imaginatively and critically about the world. Department offerings include a core of required global and American history courses, as well as history and social science electives that examine a broad range of cultures, civilizations, and elements of the human condition. To fulfill Milton Academy’s diploma requirements, students must take two history courses: World History: Challenges & Changemakers in Class IV and United States History in Classes III, II, or I, or the two-year course The United States in the Modern World I and II. The United States in the Modern World I and II courses must be taken sequentially in Classes IV and III. The only exception to the sequence requirement for the United States in the Modern World is for students who attend SYA, the Mountain School, or Chewonki in the Class III year. In this case, students must take The United States in the Modern World II course in their Class II year. The History and Social Sciences Department offers optional March and June trips to Morocco and Japan and, in collaboration with the Community Engagement Program, to the Cherokee and Navajo Nations, designed to enrich students’ educational experience.

World History: Challenges & Changemakers
Classes II, III, & IV
This course emphasizes core historical thinking skills while covering a wide range of topical global content. Students will explore human stories from the distant and near past and trace their impacts on the present, engaging with primary and secondary source material and utilizing these texts to make cogent historical arguments. This course encourages critical analysis and the asking of generative questions about point of view, causality, comparison, change, and continuity. This practice in inquiry will culminate in a month-long research project on a topic of each student’s choosing.

United States History
Classes I, II, & III
Conceptual and interpretive in nature, this course examines both the important documents (e.g., Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Gettysburg Address, and speeches of Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King Jr., and John F. Kennedy) and the multiple historical interpretations of an event or personality in the American past. Looking at the tension between freedom and order, democracy and slavery, urbanization and populism, gender and politics, localism and nationalism, students begin to see and understand that the principles and ideas fought for at the time of the American Revolution are unresolved in the later 19th and 20th centuries. Students will complete a major library research project in the spring semester. (Prerequisite: World History: Challenges & Change Makers.)

The United States in the Modern World 1 and 2 (two-year sequence)
Note: The United States in the Modern World 1 and 2 courses must be taken sequentially in Classes IV and III. The only exception to the sequence requirement for the United States in the Modern World is for students who attend SYA, the Mountain School, or Chewonki in the Class III year. In this case, students must take The United States in the Modern World 2 course in their Class II year.

The United States in the Modern World 1
Class IV
This course tells the story of economic and political revolution—where and how its origins lie in the 15th and 16th centuries, how it was carried out in the 17th and 18th centuries, and how it reshaped the world in the 19th century. Students will study the modern history of the great empires of Eurasia, encounters between the peoples of Europe and the Americas, expansion of trade and technology, and the development of political ideologies. The American experience, from the voyages of Columbus to the Civil War, will be placed within the larger context of the modern world. Students will complete a major library research project in the spring semester.

The United States in the Modern World 2
Class III
The United States takes a central role in the second year of this course, beginning with the impact of the Civil War and industrialization on domestic and foreign policies. Questions of new thought in social relations, in the application of science and technology, and in governmental roles and responsibilities in the United States and selected other nations will be studied so that the discussion of revolutionary change that began in the first year continues and broadens. A close consideration of several Cold War topics in the second semester will enable students to understand better the problems faced by the 21st-century world, particularly the impact of human history on the natural world. Students will complete a major library research project early in the second semester.

Advanced Topics in History

Class I & II: Completed Milton’s History graduation requirement or permission of the department chair.
Class III: Completed Milton’s History graduation requirement and permission of the department chair.

Introduction to Art History
(Semester 1 or Semester 2)
This course provides students with a survey of artistic production from ancient cultures to the 20th century, focusing on the Western world. It will allow students to hone their visual and historical analysis skills as we investigate how art has been conceived, valued, and produced in various contexts. Art can reveal to its audience the morals and priorities of a culture or simply allow us a glimpse into their fantasies and aspirations. Onlookers may feel understood, inspired, or excluded. We will examine works of art and artists in social and political contexts to better understand the tensions or harmonies therein, incorporating in-depth coverage of select artworks, periods, and artistic movements. The focus of our study is to critically engage with works of art with considerations of material, historical context, artist, and audience. Students will closely observe artworks, discuss art theory and historical analysis, and write their own analytical essays. We will use our local resources with field trips to Boston-area museums and galleries and a brief introduction to curatorial and editorial practice in Milton’s Nesto Gallery.

Cold War America
(Semester 1 or Semester 2)
The Cold War was the crucible by which the United States was transformed into a global superpower, and it laid the basis for the national security state. The ideological competition between the United States and the Soviet Union shaped the global and regional makeup of the modern world, and its legacies continue to influence global politics in the 21st century. This course charts the Cold War through the lens of the Berlin Wall era (August 1961 to November 1989) and provides an overview of the ideological and social/cultural drivers of the conflict. The course concludes with charting how the Cold War wound down with the crumbling of the Berlin Wall and the legacies it has left for the 21st century and beyond. It will provide students with an overview and general survey of the key developments from 1960 to 1990.

African-American History
(Semester 1)
In this course, students examine the African-American experience with an emphasis on individual and collective agency, political protest, and efforts to initiate social change. The course is organized chronologically. Students begin their study in 15th-century Africa before moving quickly to the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the historical foundations of Black life in the antebellum and postbellum periods. The second half of the course stresses more contemporary issues of the 20th and 21st centuries. Throughout, students will grapple with questions that pertain to isolation and identity, individualism and collectivity, race and struggle, resistance and joy, and African-American history as United States history.

Gender Studies
(Semester 1)
This course is an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of gender studies. We will examine the ways that gender, race, class, sex, and sexuality manifest themselves in systems of power and privilege. We will ask how gender analysis can help us to understand our history, society, culture, politics, and economy. We will endeavor to understand how gender, which is deeply personal to many of us, can also be deeply political. After grounding ourselves in gender theory and paying special attention to theories of difference, intersectionality, and transness, we will study how gender functions in the realms of work, family, medicine, national and international politics, and the media. Along the way, students will become familiar with the history of the women’s and LGBTQ rights movements. Students will complete a short research project on a topic of their choice.

History of Modern China
(Semester 1)
Since the late 20th century, China has been the most dynamic country. After suffering national decline, famines, foreign invasions, and domestic chaos, China has re-emerged as a confident, powerful, and influential country. Boasting the world’s second-largest economy, China is beefing up its military, buying up natural resources and influence worldwide, and staking its flag in faraway places like the South Pole and closer to home in the South China Sea. Foreign governments eagerly accept Chinese investments across a wide range of industries, but they also complain about Chinese trade practices and attitudes. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a signature Chinese global project under the Xi government worth approximately $6 trillion, is an example of China’s vision and a testament to its ambition. The initiative is designed to tie China’s economy to the rest of the world by developing a series of multinational railway systems, airports, and deep-water ports stretching from China to Western Europe. With trade, China hopes to bring about mutual economic development and prosperity. All this sounds wonderful, but critics of BRI point to a series of problems ranging from unfair Chinese trade practices and environmental degradation to corruption. So, what is the real picture of today’s China? Is it a benign and rapidly developing power ready to take on the mantle as a defender of the global economic order? Or is it a neo-colonial upstart with a mercantile streak ready to exploit others for its own benefit? The truth lies somewhere in between, and we will use this course to uncover some of the major issues at stake. We will examine them critically using a historical lens so that China’s position, perspective, and motivation can be better understood.

History of the Middle East
(Semester 1)
This course examines the history of the Middle East from 1900 to the present. The geographic focus will be Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey. We will keep two broad questions in mind as we follow the region’s current political and social developments: 1) What impact did Western imperialism and the process of decolonization have on society and politics in the Middle East? and 2) How did the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 start a process that has led to a reordering of the modern Middle East? Students will conduct individual research on the topics of their choice at the end of the semester. For students wanting to continue their study of the contemporary Middle East, the course of Globalization and Islam in the second semester builds on themes covered in this course. This course frequently offers an optional trip to Morocco during the spring vacation.

Topics in Modern World History:
In the Aftermath: Case Studies in Transitional Justice
(Semester 1)
What should happen after a government’s violence against its citizens? Who should decide? The class will focus on specific case studies to explore three kinds of responses to government crimes against citizens: the policies of official forgetting (e.g., post-Franco Spain, Argentina); truth-telling and reconciliation movements (e.g., post-apartheid South Africa, Australia); international prosecutions (e.g., Khmer Rouge in Cambodia); and reparations (e.g., Canada/First Nation Peoples, U.S. government/slavery). We will also explore responses from artists, filmmakers, theologians, psychologists, and survivors to understand the challenges and promise of transitional justice. Projects will include persuasive and analytical writing along with training for and practice of interviews, mediation, and mock trials.

The Aztecs to High-Tech: A History of Latin America & the Caribbean in the World
(Semester 2)
Drug trafficking, poverty, and political revolution. These are just a few images that the mention of Latin America and the Caribbean conjures. Not inaccurate, these images are also easy generalizations that obscure the realities of a region rich in history and social and cultural complexities that have profoundly contributed to the entire pageant of humanity. This course examines that complicated historical process. Arranged chronologically and thematically, it begins with the earliest Indigenous communities. It concludes with an exploration of the region’s role as a provider of cheap labor for technologically sophisticated multinational corporations like Ford and Motorola. The course deliberately integrates a global perspective that challenges students to consider how the people of Latin America and the broader world have shared mutually constituted historical experiences.

Globalization & Islam
(Semester 2)
This project-based course will explore the relationship between globalization and the Middle East in the post-9/11 world. Using readings from current scholarship, we will examine how the Arab world has been shaped by economic, political, and social realities created by globalization. The first part of the course explores the theme of the democracy deficit in the Middle East and North Africa region. Then, we will apply these theories to our case studies of Jordan and examine the impact of the Syrian civil war on the Kingdom of Jordan. The third part of the course will focus on the complex relationship between globalization, American foreign policy, and the rise of ISIS in the Middle East. This course frequently offers an optional trip to Morocco during spring break.

History of Civil Rights
(Semester 2)
In this course, we will examine several questions about the struggle for justice and equality in the United States. What did the civil rights workers of the 1960s hope to accomplish? What were they able to achieve? How did American society respond to this movement for social change? The first half of the course is devoted to understanding the relationship between oppression and resistance, focusing on the legacy of segregation. Students will then look at the events that shaped the modern civil rights movement. Coursework includes journal writing, reaction papers, and a final research project exploring a contemporary civil rights issue. This course challenges students to develop a clear historical perspective about one of the most revolutionary periods in U.S. history.

Historical Archeology
(Half Course)
This course will start with a study of what is historical archeology—how do historians understand the past 400 years of history by examining and studying physical objects and documents? This is a project-based course designed to allow students to use the tools of historical archeology to study the town of Milton by studying colonial-era graves and examining historical documents to understand what they tell us about colonial Milton. We will use this study of Milton cemetery graves to study who is present and who is missing from history. Students will walk in the footsteps of James Deetz to understand the history of Miton, Massachusetts, and Milton Academy by studying the objects left behind by people in the past. One of the more significant topics this course will explore is discovering the histories of peoples whose material objects have not been found in large quantities as those of the English settlers.

Social Sciences

Classes I & II

American Government & Politics
(Semester 1)
The heart of this course is an examination of the interactions between the policy-making institutions of the United States government (Congress, the presidency and the executive branch, and the Supreme Court) and the nature of American political parties, interest groups, the media, and American electoral practices. With a focus on current events, we will see how the United States’ constitutional underpinnings are enforced and complicated by political culture. Through this course, students will be engaged in following political events in and out of the class, as well as partaking in independent research as a way to understand and contribute to political processes. Ultimately, this course will equip students with the foundational understanding to engage thoughtfully and purposefully in politics while also allowing for the practice of political communication and discourse—all of which are incredibly important in our increasingly polarized political climate. (Note: To enroll in this course, students must have taken or be taking United States History or The United States in the Modern World.)

Comparative Government
(Semester 2)
In this course, we will develop the skills and habits of mind required to study and thoughtfully participate in our global political landscape. Through concrete historical and present-day examples, we will analyze the current literature and theoretical basics of comparative politics and question why governments and institutions take the forms they do. We will ground our conversations in case studies from states around the world. In doing so, we will address two essential questions: What defines and complicates democracy? And how does change occur and endure? By questioning the legitimacy of governments, the distribution of power, and the roles of culture, leaders, and institutions, we will use history to explain current trends and make future predictions. Ultimately, every aspect of the course will culminate in project-based assessments that apply comparative politics to the case of the Arab Spring.

Microeconomics: The Power of Markets
(Semester 1 or 2)
This course studies the behavior of individual firms and households within specific markets, like health care, the automotive industry, and retailing. It covers such economic concepts as scarcity, opportunity cost, supply and demand, elasticity, price, and economic efficiency. Focused on the interactions within different markets, the course examines competitive and non-competitive structures and explores the consequences of market failures. As we explore how markets operate, we will pay particular attention to a company’s costs, labor markets, capital markets, and government regulation. (This course will prepare students for both Macroeconomics and Behavioral Economics. Students may not take this course if they have taken or are planning to take Calculus and Applied Economics.)

Macroeconomics: The Federal Government and the National Economy
(Semester 1 or 2)
This course focuses on the whole U.S. economy. It covers such economic concepts as gross domestic product, economic growth, unemployment, inflation, and trade. Economic models for a market-based national economy are examined; topics of discussion include GDP growth, fiscal policy, monetary policy, the Federal Reserve, and taxation. We will also spend some time discussing the U.S. economy in the context of the global marketplace and tackle issues of international trade, trade policy, and sustainable development. (This course will prepare students for Behavioral Economics.)

Economic Inequality: The Study of Race, Class, & Gender in the U.S.
(Semester 1)
The United States is at a tipping point in its history. The rich are getting richer while others are poverty-stricken. The United States has firmly established a de facto caste system as gender equality has regressed, and extreme discrimination and racial animosity remain at the center of the American narrative. So, what happened to the “American Dream?” Why is there still so much racism and nativism in America? How can a country so rich have so much poverty? What were the causes of this tragedy, and what could be some possible solutions? This course will tackle these challenging topics and address these questions and many others in hopes of finding a path for a better and more harmonious future. (Prerequisite: United States History or The United States and the Modern World II.)

Topics in Behavioral Economics: Choice and Decision-Making
(Semester 2)
This course explores a variety of topics in the field of economics. It will investigate the decisions made in different facets of the world. The course will apply many of the behavioral economics concepts as it integrates the disciplines of psychology, sociology, and history into economic thought. Topics in economics will discuss many issues, such as financial crises, natural disasters, sports, addictions, crime, fairness, marketing, and other subjects where decision-making is critical. Additionally, it will answer vital questions surrounding those topics, like: Why do athletes and college students cheat so frequently? Why might people feel more comfortable paying a dinner bill with a credit card instead of cash? What is the role of altruism, equity, and fairness in our society and world? Why might people view costs and benefits when considering committing a crime? Why do we not pay our caregiver for their hard work following a Thanksgiving meal? How can the choices of a few lead to global financial catastrophe? These questions and many others will be discussed throughout the semester. (Prerequisite: One of the following: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Calculus and Applied Economics, Psychology Seminar, or Topics in Psychology.)

Global Economics: Inequality, Capitalism, & Sustainable Development
(Semester 2)
This course explores the relationship between inequality, globalization, and economic growth. More specifically, the course is designed to answer the questions of why certain nations are able to adopt institutions and policies that promote equality and under what conditions—economic, social, and political capital fosters growth and a sustainable future. How can global poverty be eradicated? What are some of the structural transformations, shifting modes of thought, dynamics of class, race, gender, ethnicity, and geographic stratification that shape the debate around global inequality? This course relies on basic principles of economic theory to analyze economic realities and policies in the U.S. and abroad with a particular focus on the impact of inequality on social justice and democracy.

Psychology Seminar
(Full Course)
This college-level course introduces students to the field of psychology, the scientific study of the mind and behavior, through hands-on experiences with research design, projects, discussions, and lessons. In addition to learning about major areas within the field of psychology—including cognition, neurobiology, development, behaviorism, socioculturalism, and mental health—students will often be required to work in teams and are expected to improve their observation, leadership, collaboration, and presentation skills. Students will work toward thinking like psychologists, where they reflect critically about the theories and research presented and thoughtfully consider the human experience and the carrying influences on it. Although it is not required, students may find it helpful to have taken or be taking biology and statistics. (Topics in Psychology is not a prerequisite for this course; students may not take this course if they have taken or are planning to take Topics in Psychology.)

Topics in Psychology
(Half Course)
This course explores topics within the discipline of psychology, including development, personality theory, abnormal psychology, social psychology, and learning. Through these topics, students also study the thoughts of foundational and contemporary theorists within the field of psychology. Course content integrates reading from the textbook and primary sources, as well as watching film from a psychological perspective. Students are encouraged to reflect on the material in both personal and academic ways and are evaluated through interactive learning projects, analytical essays, and classroom discussions. (Students may not take this course if they have taken or are planning to take Psychology Seminar.)

Activism for Justice in a Digital World
(Half Course)
Classes I, II, & III
How do activists work to create a more just society in the United States and in the world? How are they combining new social media tools and traditional service activities to address problems of poverty, homelessness, hunger, educational inequity, health care, the environment, and immigration? How can you make a difference? This course will explore current issues through readings by contemporary authors and news sources, as well as historical documents, speakers, and field trips to Boston. An integral component of this exploration will be students’ firsthand experiences through weekly service commitments to local sites (with homework time allocated to this hands-on work). Coursework includes journal writing, short papers, and action projects.​

Religions of the Middle East
(Semester 1)
The Middle East is the birthplace of three of the world’s great religious traditions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is also a center of conflict, often stemming from religious differences. In our shrinking and pluralistic world, having knowledge of religion has become increasingly important to be an informed citizen. Taking a global and historical view, this course examines the development of each Middle Eastern religion, analyzes their connections, and contemplates the source of their tension. Students will study each religion on its own terms through class discussion, primary texts, film, and inquiry into each tradition’s spiritual and religious practices.

Religions of Asia
(Semester 2)
Understanding cooperation and conflict in a globalized world requires an understanding of religion. Focused on Southern and Eastern Asian religions, this course will explore different religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shinto, and the questions they pose to their followers. Students will study each religion on its own terms through class discussion, primary texts, regional case studies, film, and inquiry projects into each tradition’s spiritual and religious practices. Students will also reflect on their personal values, beliefs, and religious experience. This course frequently offers an optional exchange trip to Japan during the second semester.