United States Government

Coach Merritt
Class Syllabus
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Text and Other Readings

Each Student will be issued a copy of Magruders American Government
There will be additional readings assigned throughout the course of the year for which each
student will be responsible. These will be printed and handed to the student.
- Preparation for class
- Have your textbook with you everyday!!
- Have a folder (pockets and brads) or 3-ring binder (1) with paper for notes everyday!!
- Have a pen (blue or black) or pencil with you everyday!!
- Each day you are unprepared, you will lose 5pts. off your weekly participation grade for
the week.
- Attendance
- The tardy and attendance policy are set down by Germantown High School and the Shelby
County School Board and are not flexible.
- Class Rules
- Rule 1: Be respectful of all of those who enter this classroom. This includes, but is not limited to,
the teacher, a substitute, administrator(s), and your fellow students.
- Rule 2: Be respectful of the property of those around you including, your classmates, your
teacher, and Germantown High School Property.
- Rule 3: No eating or drinking period!!!! It is against school rules to eat or drink anywhere except
in the cafeteria, so it is against the rules of this classroom as well.
- Rule 4: Do not throw anything in my classroom. This creates a hazard and someone could get
injured, including me!!!
- Basically, you are expected to demonstrate the proper level of respect for me, your classmates,
and our school at all times. YOUR RESPECT ME AND I WILL RESPECT YOU!!!!!!!
1st offense- warning and conduct drop to S and a call will be placed to your home.
2nd offense-conduct mark dropped to N and a conference will be held with you and your parents.
3rd offense- conduct mark dropped to U and you will be written up/
- Make-UP Work/Late Work
- Make up work should be made up as soon as you return from being absent. I will assign a final
make up date sometime before the nine weeks ends.
- Anything turned in late (with the obvious exceptions of excused absences) will be lowered by 5
points for everyday it is late.

Grading Scale/ System

All grade are done on a total point system. In other words, each week you will have an
opportunity through tests, quizzes, essays, homework, and daily (participation) grades to earn points.
Your nine weeks average will be determined by adding up the total number of points you have
earned and dividing that by the number of possible points in the grading period.
** Daily grades-you will receive 5pts./day for being prepared for and fully participating in our
class. Failure to arrive for class prepared or failure to participate in our class (including sleeping)
will result in the loss of that days points.
- Contacting Me
You or your parents contact me with questions by calling the school at 756-2350 or I can be
reached by email at merrittm@scsk12.org

This is the tentative class schedule

First (third) nine weeks
Week 1: Rules/procedures- States and Capitals
Week 2: Principles of Government and the Origins of American Government
Week 3&4: The United States Constitution
Week 5: Federalism and The Electoral Process
Week 6: The Congress and Congress Powers
Week 7: Congress in Action
Week 8: The Presidency and the Bureaucracy
Week 9: Constitution Project (both in class and library)
Second (fourth) nine weeks
Week 1: The Supreme Court
Week 2: Civil Liberties: First Amendment Freedoms
Week 3: Civil Liberties Protecting Individual Rights
Week 4: Civil Rights: Equal Justice Under the Law
Week 5: Supreme Court Cases Project (both in Library and classroom)
Week 6: Comparative Political Systems
Week 7: State Governments
Week 8: Local Governments
Week 9: Review for Semester Exam

Student Signature: _______________________________

Date:___________________________

Parent Signature: ________________________________

Date: __________________________