Social Studies
The Milford High School Social Studies Department offers a variety of required and elective courses in response to student needs and interests. Drawn from the realms of history, social sciences, and related disciplines, all of the courses aim to meet our fundamental goal of producing students equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective and productive citizens.
American History (Honors) 0220
American History (Std. A) 0218 (Honors & A-level NH Scholars eligible)
American History (Std. B) 0219
1 Credit Grade 9
This course in American history will predominantly focus on political, economic, and social themes of the 20th century. Students will use primary and secondary sources to produce projects, essays, and presentations. This is a required credit for graduation.
US and NH Civics (Honors) 0237
US and NH Civics (Std. A) 0235 (Honors & A-level NH Scholars eligible)
US and NH Civics (Std. B) 0236
1/2 Credit Grade 10
This course, taken in conjunction with Economics, will include numerous topics in the study of civics. Students will learn about political philosophy, the framers and the Constitution, political parties and elections, and New Hampshire government. Students will use primary and secondary sources to produce projects, essays, and presentations. Required credit for graduation. Students must pass the Civics final exam and naturalization exam in order to graduate in the state of NH.(RSA189:11) This is a required credit for graduation.
US and NH Economics / Finance (Honors) 0268
US and NH Economics / Finance (Std. A) 0266 (Honors & A-level NH Scholars eligible)
US and NH Economics / Finance (Std. B) 0267
1/2 Credit Grade 10
This course, taken in conjunction with Civics, will include numerous topics in the study of economics. Students will learn about micro and macro economics, which includes a unit on personal finance, a NH state requirement. (HB1671) Students will use primary and secondary sources to produce projects, essays, and presentations. This is a required credit for graduation.
Modern World Studies (Honors) 0262
Modern World Studies (Std. A) 0260 (Honors & A-level NH Scholars eligible)
Modern World Studies (Std. B) 0261
1 Credit Grade 11
Students will approach the study of the modern world thematically, to include, but are not limited to: Human Rights, Economic Development, and Political Structure, Governance, and Interactions. Students will learn about Genocide/the Holocaust, as per a NH state mandate. (RSA 193-E:2-f) Students will use primary and secondary sources to produce projects, essays, and presentations. This is a required credit for graduation.
SOCIAL STUDIES ELECTIVES
Contemporary Asia 0281
1 Credit Grades 11 - 12
Students will explore historical, political, economic, and social influences and changes in Asia, with an emphasis on India, Japan, Tibet, and China. A wide range of topics may be taught, such as Japan’s Samurai era, Chinese calligraphy, Tibetan art, Japanese poetry, Bollywood, Japanese Anime, and Korean Pop. Students will use primary and secondary sources to produce projects, essays, and presentations.
Criminal and Tort Law Studies 0278
1 Credit Grades 10-12
Criminal and Tort Law Studies introduces students to the basics and practical applications of the criminal and tort law systems. Students will explore the origins of law and the need for justice systems in society. Students will gain an understanding of the criminal and tort justice process beginning with the ideas of what a crime is through arrests, search warrants, the booking and arraignment process, trial and punishment. An important focus of this class is the practical application of a student’s rights and responsibilities as a participant in the legal system.
Culture Shock: Anthropology 0193 1 Credit Grades 9-12
Students will acquire an understanding of the differences and similarities in human populations. Topics may include, but are not limited to: Cultural Institutions, Progress and Development, Patterns of Family Relations, and the Cultural Construction and Identity and Social Hierarchy. Students will use primary and secondary sources to produce projects, essays, and presentations.
Current Global Topics 0289
1 Credit Grades 11, 12
Current Global Topics is an interactive, discussion-centered course looking to help students to analyze and debate issues facing the global community and ever changing current events. The course begins with an overview of globalization, then topics are nominated and voted by the students. A few of the past topics have included global immigration trends, human rights issues, global economies, rise of authoritarianism, and climate change issues & resiliency. Assessments include in classroom and online discussions, simulations, and complete individual and group projects and presentations. Active participation is an important aspect for this class.
European History AP (Honors/AP) 0270
1 Credit Grades 11-12
Students examine the cultural, economic, political, and social developments within Europe and the various ways Europe has influenced the world, from 1450 through contemporary Europe. Topics include the Renaissance, the Reformation, Absolutism, the Enlightenment, French and Russian Revolutions, as well as both World Wars. Nightly readings, a summer assignment and multiple research projects and essays are written over the course of the class. This course fulfills the Modern World Studies requirement or can be taken as an elective.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Holocaust Studies 0291
1 Credit Grades 11-12
This course introduces students to the political, social, and economic causes of genocide in general, and the Nazi Holocaust in particular. An examination of what made the Jews vulnerable to persecution, the three step plan that Hitler and the Third Reich instituted for the annihilation of the Jewish people, and the roles of perpetrators, victims, rescuers, and bystanders is undertaken using a variety of resources. Our study addresses the questions, controversies and enduring issues raised by the Holocaust. Assessments include research projects, presentations, tests, quizzes and homework. This course fulfills an elective credit in Social Studies.
Introduction to Social Science 02831 Credit Grades 11-12
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the study of human behavior. As social scientists, we will pursue answers to questions relating to psychological and sociological method and terminology, human behavioral development and personality, emotions and the intellect, and families and social groups. Finally, we will explore topics for which answers as yet do not exist, such as extrasensory perception, causes of psychosis, prejudice, and the future of humans. Requirements include papers, tests, lab activities, and class participation.
Topics in European History 0269
1 Credit Grades 9-12
This course is designed to introduce students to some major events in European history. Topics can include, but are not limited to the Renaissance and Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the French and Russian Revolutions. Special attention will be given to examining art, music, literature, as well as the influence of geography on the region. Students will read selected primary and secondary sources, and demonstrate knowledge through quizzes, tests, papers, projects and/or presentations. Active participation is an important aspect of this course.
United States History AP (Honors/AP) 0271
1 Credit Grades 10-12
Students will examine the history of the United States from Pre-Columbian origins to Colonial American and the Revolution. The course continues through the Civil War, the Progressive Era, and concludes with the post-Cold War Era. Students can expect a summer assignment, nightly readings, multiple research projects and essays over the course of the class.
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
We the People (Honors) 0284
1 Credit Grades 11-12
This course emphasizes the study of Constitutional Issues that have shaped our nation's history overtime. Students will concentrate on landmark cases that have shaped our history, the makeup of our Supreme Court, and on how the attitudes and values of the time shape our Supreme Court decisions. Topics may include, but are not limited to: Presidential Power in times of War, 1st Amendment Rights, and Criminal Due Process Rights. Students enrolled in the program must compete in the “We the People…” Competition.
World War II Studies 0292
1 Credit Grades 10-12
World War II Studies is an in-depth look at the economic, political, and military factors that contributed to the greatest conflict known to humanity. Students will explore the economic and political upheaval of the inter-war years as well as the diplomatic failures that led to the start of the war. Students will be able to identify the major military campaigns and explain how their outcomes affected the war. Finally students will debate the decisions that brought about the end of the war and its aftermath. This class is open to all students grades 10-12 with no prerequisites required and fulfills 1 elective credit towards the graduation requirements.
Qualifies for NH Scholars 
Awards College Credit