Browse Curriculum

History

An old aphorism identifies experience as “that marvelous thing that allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.” One might say the same thing of history. The History Department presents history and social sciences not as recipes for success, but as intrinsically fascinating versions of human experience. Beginning with geographical and historical foundations of the ancient and modern worlds, the department’s courses survey some of the main patterns in story of civilization. In the United States History course, students investigate this country’s place in the larger context of the world. Senior electives then encourage the exploration of more detailed, advanced courses of study.
 
At the center of the department’s mission is the teaching of effective communication. Students write frequently, beginning in the IIIrd form with an emphasis on writing paragraphs, and culminating in the Blaine Essay Prize contest, in which seniors submit research papers to an outside reader for evaluation. The goal is for every student who graduates from Millbrook to have the tools necessary to ask penetrating, relevant questions, to research answers, and to articulate an opinion.
 
We seek also to cultivate a sense of curiosity and respect for the world’s immense cultural diversity. 

  • 20th Century World History

    In the 20th century the nation-state provided the fundamental economic, political, military, and even social construct for world affairs. Debates about the modern political ideologies of democracy and authoritarianism, the economic theories of capitalism and socialism, and the effects of colonialism have dominated the 20th century.  Beginning with a narrative following the development of these major concepts, this class will use case studies in China, India, Nigeria and the Middle East to dig deeply into how these debates have affected these regions, and how each cultural identity has shaped them in unique ways. Using a skills based approach, students will grapple with primary and secondary sources, write analytical paragraphs and essays, and develop public speaking and discussion skills to deliberate historical and contemporary issues.

  • Adv. History: Comparative Economics

      This course covers traditional economic theory, including micro and macro-economic concepts, as well as the relatively new concept of ecological economics. The class is organized around economic puzzles, which require students to use a variety of lenses to solve. Further, students evaluate the relative strengths and weakness of different economic approaches. The class concludes with a primer on personal economics and the nature of money in everyday life—from credit cards to buying a house and investing in the stock market.

  • Adv. History: Comparative Govt & Politics

      Comparative Government and Politics involves an integrated approach to examining political systems, institutions, and governance in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Brazil. Through both historic and modern lenses students will explore how these nations address key political challenges, including regime types, political participation, policy-making, civil liberties, and economic development. Through comparative analysis, the course will highlight similarities and differences in democratic and authoritarian systems, the role of political parties, and the impact of historical and cultural contexts on governance. The course will help students develop a broader understanding of global political structures and the factors that shape government effectiveness and stability.

  • Adv. History: Comparative Religion

    Advanced History: Comparative Religion is a transformative exploration of humanity's greatest questions through the lens of the world's major religious and spiritual traditions. This course weaves together the wisdom of Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam while diving deep into universal human experiences - from the nature of consciousness and the challenge of suffering to the search for joy and understanding of death. Through engaging with sacred texts, examining architectural spaces, and investigating profound philosophical questions, students will discover how different traditions have grappled with life's deepest mysteries. The course culminates in an examination of how ancient wisdom speaks to contemporary questions about happiness, healing, and the nature of human consciousness.

  • Adv. History: Immigration and Migration

    Why do people choose to move? How does the movement of people affect a population? How do governments respond to immigration? What should be the priority of immigration policies? In this course we will examine the history of these questions and how immigration is experienced—by the immigrants themselves, the citizens of nations, and government officials. The first semester will focus on immigration systems, and the second semester will focus on undocumented immigration and governmental responses. The course will culminate with students proposing a reform of the full immigration system.

  • Adv. History: International Relations

    From the Treaty of Westphalia to the cosmopolitan world of today, Advanced History: International Relations offers students a detailed insight into how states interact with each other. In this course students will engage with the core principles and theories of international relations and study their application in the modern world. The course will cover the major themes of international relations, engaging with the economic, social, political, and security drivers for states across the globe. Furthermore, this course will also explore the relationship states have with non-state actors. Through comparative analysis and the thematic approach of this course, students will engage with difficult cases with no clear solutions or pathways forward. In response to these cases, students will write proposals, discuss, and debate about what the best path forward should be. Throughout their time in the course, students will also engage in war games, taking on the roles of state actors and reacting to an ever-evolving situation.

  • Adv. History: Public History

    From the Treaty of Westphalia to the cosmopolitan world of today, Advanced History: International Relations offers students a detailed insight into how states interact with each other. In this course students will engage with the core principles and theories of international relations and study their application in the modern world. The course will cover the major themes of international relations, engaging with the economic, social, political, and security drivers for states across the globe. Furthermore, this course will also explore the relationship states have with non-state actors. Through comparative analysis and the thematic approach of this course, students will engage with difficult cases with no clear solutions or pathways forward. In response to these cases, students will write proposals, discuss, and debate about what the best path forward should be. Throughout their time in the course, students will also engage in war games, taking on the roles of state actors and reacting to an ever-evolving situation.

  • Global Geography

    The IIIrd Form history course is a study of world geography and cultures.  The course focuses on building the skills necessary to interpret and think critically about history.  Students develop comprehension skills through reading and discussion.  The course is also designed to build research skills and how to develop written and oral positions.  Particular attention is paid to expository writing.  Classes will learn how geography affects the ways people live and their cultures, with an eye toward better understanding global relationships.  The history and development of different countries are studied in an effort to understand particular cultures.  Topics covered include, but are not limited to, human interaction with the environment, population, migration, and globalization.

  • Honors US History

    How should we understand the history of the United States? What values have informed decisions, institutions, and culture? What is the ideal balance of government power and individual liberty? What has been and what should be the role of the US in the world? All of these questions reflect interest in what the United States means and what it stands for. In this course, we will examine the history of these questions and its connection to America today.

    Required for graduation and generally taken in Vth form year, this course provides a survey of U.S. history from 1490 through the present. The first semester takes a chronological approach up through the Civil War. In the spring semester, the course takes a thematic approach to U.S. history between 1865 and today, focusing on foreign policy and government power/individual rights. During the winter students engage in a research paper, a requirement for the course. Students focus primarily on historical analysis, especially of primary documents, and the course aims to develop students’ thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
     

  • US History

    How should we understand the history of the United States? What values have informed decisions, institutions, and culture? What is the ideal balance of government power and individual liberty? What has been and what should be the role of the US in the world? All of these questions reflect interest in what the United States means and what it stands for. In this course, we will examine the history of these questions and its connection to America today.

    Required for graduation and generally taken in Vth form year, this course provides a survey of U.S. history from 1490 through the present. The first semester takes a chronological approach up through the Civil War. In the spring semester, the course takes a thematic approach to U.S. history between 1865 and today, focusing on foreign policy and government power/individual rights. During the winter students engage in a research paper, a requirement for the course. Students focus primarily on historical analysis, especially of primary documents, and the course aims to develop students’ thinking, reading, writing, and speaking skills.
     

Faculty

  • Photo of Lindsay Peterson
    Lindsay Peterson
    History Department Chair
    845-677-8261 Ext. 158
    Ashland University - M.A.
    Colby College - B.A.
  • Photo of Brittany Foster
    Brit Foster
    History Instructor
    845-677-8261 Ext. 158
    Hobart & William Smith College - B.A.
  • Photo of Mitchell Kastilahn
    Mitch Kastilahn
    History Instructor
    845-677-8261 Ext. 158
    Macalester College - B.A.
  • Photo of Stacy Reed
    Stacy Reed
    History Faculty
    845-677-8261
    University of Victoria - B.Ed.
  • Photo of Scott Ruggles
    Scott Ruggles
    History Instructor
    845-677-8261 Ext. 158
    Hobart & William Smith Colleges - B.A.
  • Photo of David Whiting
    David Whiting
    History Instructor
    845-677-8261 Ext. 158
    MIddlebury College - B.A.
131 Millbrook School Road, Millbrook, NY 12545
T. (845) 677.8261  |   F. (845) 677.8598