Course SyllabusTeacher:  Meredith Hamrick

Email:  mhamrick@greenville.k12.sc.us

Phone: 355-6628

Course Textbook:

Honors- MaGruder’s American Government (electronic)

CP- United States Government: Our Democracy (electronic)

Course Description:

This course meets the state graduation requirements for social studies and is aligned to the state adopted College and Career Ready Standards for Social Studies. United States Government is usually taught at grade twelve. Students will learn about the historical and philosophical principles that led to the birth of American constitutional democracy and how those principles sustain democratic society in the United States today. Students will learn about the importance of federalism and how federalism is reflected in the structure and function of our government. Students will investigate how political values are formed, how government functions through individual participation and policy making, and how a strong democracy relies on an active and informed citizenry.

Student Learning Outcomes:

By the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Constitutional Foundations: Explain the foundational principles of the U.S. government—including popular sovereignty, separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism—derived from the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

2. Structures of Government: Analyze the roles, powers, and limitations of the three branches of government: legislative (Congress), executive (President), and judicial (Supreme Court).

3. Civic Participation: Evaluate how citizens interact with the government through political parties, interest groups, the media, and the electoral process. 

4. Civil Liberties and Rights: Distinguish between civil liberties and civil rights, examining how they are protected by the Bill of Rights and interpreted by the judiciary. 

5. Policy Analysis: Explain how public policy is formed at the local, state, and federal levels.

Course Outline/ Scope and Sequence

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

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)

Required Materials:

1. A fully charged chromebook

2. A writing utensil (pen or pencil)

3. A notebook or other paper to write on 

Classroom Expectations:

1. Be on Time

2. Be Prepared

3. Be Respectful

Course Policies:

Grading Practices

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

Schoolwide Makeup Work Policy

• Students have 1 school day for each absence to 

  • submit missed work for full credit -OR-

  • arrange a new due date with the teacher within 5 school days (extenuating circumstances)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher

• After this window, work is considered late

Schoolwide Late Work Policy (Does not apply to AP Courses)

• All minor assignments and projects will have a Due Date and a Final Deadline. 

1. Due Dates are the initial day an assignment is due. 

2. The Final Deadline is the last day an assignment will be accepted for credit.

3. Assignments submitted after the Due Date but before the Final Deadline may receive a late penalty.

• Minor Assignments and Homework

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded.

  • A Late Penalty of [25 points] will be applied if the assignment is submitted before the Final Deadline.

  • Final Deadline: no work will be accepted after [3school days].

• Tests (Major Assessment)

  • Make-up Tests will be scheduled by the teacher

  • A student who refuses to take a scheduled test while present at school will receive a final grade of 0 on the assessment.

• Projects (Major Assessment)

  • If not submitted by the Due Date: a grade of 0 will be recorded.

  • A Late Penalty of [25 points] will be applied if the project is submitted before the Final Deadline.

  • Final Deadline: no project will be accepted after [3 school days].

MagicSchool Syllabus Statement

This year, students will use MagicSchool AI, a generative AI platform designed specifically for education. As tools like ChatGPT and Gemini become standard in the professional world, utilizing MagicSchool prepares students for the future workforce by teaching safe and responsible technology use.

Students will use these tools for real-time feedback and dynamic problem-solving. To ensure appropriate use, teachers retain access to all student chats. MagicSchool strictly protects privacy and does not collect or utilize student data. All AI software, including MagicSchool, complies with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.

Generative AI Syllabus Statement

This course may utilize generative AI tools, such as MagicSchool and Google Gemini, to supplement traditional instruction. Greenville County Schools prioritizes the ethical use of these technologies for brainstorming and self-guided learning.

• Critical Thinking First: AI must not replace original thought or coursework.
  
  

• Academic Integrity: Using AI to complete and submit assignments as original work constitutes plagiarism.
   

• Required Citation: If teacher-approved, all AI use must be properly cited.
  
  

• Content Awareness: Students must remain vigilant regarding potential biases and inaccuracies in AI-generated content.
  
  

• Policy Compliance: All AI programs align with GCS Board Policy and Administrative Rule IA.