Honors Government/Economics

Course: U.S Government

Instructor:  Meredith Hamrick

Course Title: United States Government

Email:  mhamrick@greenville.k12.sc.us

Room:  B106  

Phone: 355-6628(voice mail)

Need Help: I am available to help students before school begins and during 3rd period by appointment

1st Block       Honors Government/Economics    

2nd Period     CP Government/Economics      

3rd Period      Planning    

4th Period      CP Government/Economics

Course Description: 

 In this course  students learn about the United States Government, beginning with the historical and philosophical principles that led to the development of the American constitutional democracy and how those fundamental ideas have continued to sustain America’s democratic society. Students will learn how various powers are granted and distributed among the different branches and levels of government, and how checks and balances prevent one branch from overpowering the others. Additionally, students will investigate how American political values are formed and how the government functions through individual participation and policy making. In order to continue to thrive, a strong democracy relies on active participation by informed individuals dedicated to upholding the rule of law and individual rights. Overall, the study of the United States Government provides a basis for students to develop the skills necessary to live and thrive in America’s constitutional democracy and participate in society as active and informed citizens.

The course content and pacing are similar for CP and  Honors level classes. However, Honors students should expect to complete work outside of class and should also expect to show critical thinking skills through writing assignments and projects that go above and beyond the CP level requirements. 

Instructional Philosophy:  

1. Students should come to class everyday expecting meaningful, bell-to-bell instruction.  It is especially important that students are active learners and as such each student is expected to participate in class discussions, and other activities.

2. Students need to be prepared to work both independently, and in groups.

3. Instructional strategies will vary based on the teacher’s assessment of their students’ strengths; but will provide the students the opportunity to learn course content verbally, visually, and with hands-on activities.  

4. Instructional activities will vary based on the teacher’s assessment of their students’ strengths, and as the content changes throughout the year.  Students should expect to participate in a variety of instructional activities.  These will include, but are not limited to; lecture/discussion, various debate formats, cooperative learning, technology based instruction, use of primary source documents, current events, and student driven activities such as projects.

Textbook issued: 

Honors- MaGruder’s American Government (electronic)

CP- United States Government: Our Democracy (electronic)

Required Materials:  Students will be expected to have the following materials in class every day.

       1.  A fully charged chromebook

       2.  A writing utensil (pen or pencil)

       3.  A notebook or other paper to write on 

Assessment and Grading Policy:   

60%  Major Grades (Including unit tests, formal papers, projects) approximately 4 to5 per nine weeks

40% Minor Grades (quizzes/classwork)

SC Grading Scale:

A   90-100

B   80-89

C   70-79

D   60-69

F   59 and below

Course Goals and Standards:

These may be found at the following link beginning on page 122 https://ed.sc.gov/index.cfm?LinkServID=9677E07B-CFFE-6A5C-AA47F98625149ABC

Tentative Pacing Guide

Unit1 Foundations of Government- 10 days

Unit 2 Government Structure- 10 days

Unit 3 Political Process- 10 days

Unit 4 Citizenship- 10 days

Final Exam/ US Citizenship Test- 1 week (review and exam)

Major Assessment Tools

1.  Students should be expected to read and write in any Social Studies class.  Students will be assigned relevant material to read beyond the textbook. A variety of assessments will be used to gauge understanding of the  material.

2.  Students should expect some form of formal evaluation at the end of every unit.  These will include traditional tests, but also could include other authentic assessments the teacher feels are appropriate.

3.  Assessments such as quizzes and small tests may also be used mid-unit as the teacher attempts to assess student progress throughout a unit of study.

4.  Students should expect to complete at least one major project every quarter. These will count as a major grade.

Late Work and Extra Credit

1. Extra Credit. Extra credit will be given at the teacher’s discretion. Do not count on extra credit to supplement your grade. You will probably not  be given enough extra credit to pull a failing grade up at the end of the quarter or semester.

2. Returning From Absence. When you return from an absence it is your responsibility to ask about the work that you missed and to obtain any missed notes from a classmate. Students are responsible for discussing a time schedule for making up the missed work due to an excused absence. During your absence, all effort should be made to communicate with the teacher about makeup work. 

Behavior Expectations and Consequences:

1. Be prompt.  Be in your desk and ready to begin class when the bell rings.Failure to arrive on time may result in disciplinary action and loss of driving privileges.  The bell does not dismiss this class; the teacher does.  

2. Be respectful.  Treat everyone in the classroom with the courtesy and respect you wish to receive yourself.  Pay attention and do not distract others. Also, respect the property, personal space, and opinions of others.

3. Be considerate.  Think about the feelings of others before you say anything.  Also, raise your hand so that each person may have a turn to speak.

4. Be prepared.  Bring your fully charged Chromebook, notebook, and a writing utensil to class every day.  Complete your homework before coming to class each day.

5. Be present.  I expect you to be in class every day!  Do not ask to leave the classroom unless it is an emergency. Students should use the time during class change to go to the restroom or their locker. I understand that emergencies will arise but if students ask to leave class an excessive number of times, they will no longer be allowed to leave the classroom during class time without penalty.

Consequences: First offense, teacher warning—second, parent contact—third- referral . I reserve the right to skip any of the steps above and go directly to a referral based on circumstances.

Extra Assistance Policy

Students who would like additional help on classroom material should make an appointment to meet with me. I will be available before school, during planning periods, and after school as necessary.

Attendance and Tardy Policies

I follow the school-wide attendance and policies as stated in the Student Handbook. Absences in excess of 3 will be excused only with a valid doctor’s note. Any absence in excess of 3 that is not excused may prevent a student from receiving course credit. Regular attendance and participation is crucial to success in this course.

Cheating

Cheating is a very serious offense and will result in the following punishments:

1st offense- referral, phone call to the parent and/or a 0 on the assignment.

Repeated offenses may result in out of school suspension. Refer to your handbook for further information.

              MAVERICK HONOR CODE

The faculty, staff and administration of Mauldin High School is dedicated to creating an academic environment that promotes honesty and rewards genuine achievement. Academic dishonesty limits our school’s ability to create such an environment. The Maverick Honor Code is designed to promote student responsibility and honesty.

Mauldin High School Students must pledge not to practice any form of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes any action that gives a student or students an unfair advantage in academics. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to the following:

• Copying someone else’s class work, homework, quizzes, tests and other graded assignments/ assessments. (This includes copying work from another student’s computer screen)

• Giving another student work to copy.

• Giving to, or receiving from another student, information about a quiz, test or other assessment which that student has not yet taken.

• Using unauthorized test aids such as “cheat sheets”, calculators etc. This includes pulling up any unauthorized information on a computer or PED during an assessment.

• Using unauthorized without teacher permission electronic devices to gain an unfair academic advantage. (Including but not limited to cell phones, computers, laptops, tablets and MP3 players.)

• Accessing teacher or other school personnel files or documents without permission.

• Submitting work created by someone besides themselves.

• Changing a grade by tampering with computer records.

• Trying to gain an unfair advantage over other students.

*** Students will often be encouraged by teachers to work collaboratively assignments. Legitimate collaboration is not gaining an unfair advantage over other students.

In order to be well prepared for post- secondary educational opportunities, Mauldin High School students must understand how to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is not only academic dishonesty but in many cases is a violation of copyright law:  The definition of Plagiarism is:

“An act or instance of using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of another author without authorization and the presentation of that author's work as one's own, by not crediting the original source”.

In the Maverick Honor Code plagiarism includes but is not limited to:

• Presenting as your own work the opinions, sequence of ideas, arrangement of content and pattern of thought without crediting the original source.

• Using material from the internet (copy and paste) without crediting the original source.

• Submitting the work, ideas, pattern of ideas etc. of anyone other than yourself without crediting the original source of that information.

As part of the Maverick Honor Code students will be required to pledge that they have not violated the Maverick Honor Code.  Students are expected to be truthful when they pledge their adherence to the Maverick Code.

Being untruthful includes but is not limited to:

• Signing an honor pledge knowing the pledge is not true.

• Not being truthful when being asked about a possible honor pledge violation

• Forging a signature

• Knowingly helping a student violate any part of the Maverick Honor Code

Statement of Understanding:  

At the beginning of each school year students will sign a statement that indicates they understand the Maverick Honor Code.  Additionally, student will be required to write and sign an honor pledge for each assignment deemed necessary by their teacher.

• “I pledge that I have not violated the Maverick Honor Code.”

• Disciplinary Consequences will be completed by the MHS administration.