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Social Studies

WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY 
(full year) 

This is a full year course required for graduation. Beginning with prehistoric people, the course will cover the known history humankind in our world. Emphasis will be on major empires, governments, and religions of the modern world in terms of critical thinking, analysis of events, and viewpoint evaluation. Students will discover why geography is part of everyday life and how it impacts cultures around the world. This will be the foundation for all Social Studies curriculum and meets the Arizona Common Core Standards. 


HONORS WORLD HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY 
(full year) 

World History is a required, yearlong, class for graduation at CVHS. Honors World History is a higher level course using a college level text. This course links chronology, themes, and geography in eight units of study. Each part emphasizes a single theme and students learn to use all eight themes to analyze historical events and to develop a grasp of the chronology of human development. Geographically, each part covers the entire globe, although specific topics place greater emphasis on specific regions. Additionally students will be involved in the National History Day Competition during the school year. Emphasis is on historical research, analyzing Primary and Secondary sources using all possible resources, compiling an annotated bibliography, and a process paper. The NHD competitions are in five categories: Exhibit, Performance, Paper, Documentary, and Web Sites, some offer either individual or group categories. Participation in the In-House completion is required. The top 3-5 students in each category have the option of competing in the Regional and State completion in Arizona and if qualify compete in the NHD Nations at the University of Maryland in June. Chino Valley High School has a history of qualifying students for the National Competition! 
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and “B” or better in Freshman English. Students will have maintained the required 3.2 G.P. A. in 9th grade classes. 


AMERICAN/ARIZONA HISTORY 
(full year) 

This is a comprehensive, standards-based course that provides an overview of the history of the U.S., examining the time periods from discovery to the present. Critical thinking, evaluating primary sources, examining both sides of issues, interviewing veterans through the history department’s relationship with local Veteran’s History Project, will be in included in class activities and project research. A historical overview of political, military, scientific, and social development will be included. Arizona History and Government will also be included. 


HONORS AMERICAN/ARIZONA HISTORY 
(full year) 

This course is a yearlong Social Studies Course which meets the requirement for American /Arizona History using a college level text. This course will deal with the history of the United States and Arizona from earliest times to present. Students will be involved in reading, research, and seminar discussion of issues and events that shaped our nation. This course is recommended to students who plan to pursue a college or university education. Additionally, students will be in involved in the National History Day competition during the school year. NHD is a competition where students select a topic compatible with the yearly national them and use college and professional level research skills to present the topic in competition. Emphasis is on historical research, analyzing Primary and Secondary sources using all possible resources available, compiling an annotated bibliography that also will be judged, and a process paper. The NHD competitions are in five categories: Exhibit, Performance, Paper, Documentary, and Web Sites. All but Paper can be done individually or in groups. Participation in In-House CVHS competition is required. The top 3-5 students in each category have the option of competing at Regional and State NHD competition in March or April, and if qualify compete at the NHD Nationals at the University of Maryland in June. CVHS has a ten-year history of qualifying students for the NHD Nationals! 
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and a “B” or better in World History/Geography. Students will have maintained the required 3.2 G.P. A. in 10th grade classes. 
AMERICAN/ARIZONA GOVERNMENT 
(one semester) 

This course lays the foundation of the American and the Arizona system of government. The course provides an overview of the structure and functions of the U.S. Government, political institutions, constitutional principles, the concepts of rights and responsibilities, the role of political parties and interest groups, elections, and the importance of civic participation in the democratic process. The structure and function of state and local governments will be examined also. Emphasis will be placed on reading, writing, and research skills throughout the semester. This course satisfies the Government requirement for graduation and meets the Common Core Standards. 


GOVERNMENT/ “WE THE PEOPLE” 
(Honors)-(one semester) 

“We The People” is a congressionally created curriculum to enhance advanced learning of the constitution, its foundations and development. This course is designed for highly motivated students interested in government. Advanced writing, speaking and analytical skills are developed through discussion, advanced reading, and extensive research of America’s most important documents. In addition, the skills of speech writing, public speaking, and debate of Supreme Court cases will be learned in this class. The course work culminates in the participation of each student in the “We the People” state and national competition if a minimum number of students enroll. This course is highly recommended for college readiness. It satisfies the Government requirement for graduation and meets the Common Core Standards. 
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and a “B” or better in Honors American/Arizona History. Students will have maintained the required 3.5 G.P. A. in 11th grade classes. 


FREE ENTERPRISE 
(one semester) 

Free Enterprise is an introduction to basic economic principles. This course provides students with an overview of economics with primary emphasis on the principles of microeconomics and the U.S. economic system. Additional topics include principles of macroeconomics, global economics, comparative economics, personal finance, the banking system, and forms of investment. Research, writing, reading, and some math skills will be developed in this class. This course satisfies the Free Enterprise requirement for graduation and meets the Arizona Academic Standards.