AP Comparative Government and Politics

AP Comparative Government and Politics Mr. Allen White E-mail: [email protected] Planning Period: 11:30-1:05 Course Syllabus 2011-2012

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Welcome to Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics. Since the early 20th Century, Americans have become increasingly involved with other countries throughout the world in areas of diplomacy, trade, economics, and international justice. Twenty-first century students cannot ignore the fact that we are now living in an interdependent world. We must understand that political events in other countries have a direct impact on how we live our lives in the United States. This course is designed to give students a critical perspective on government and politics in the United States and throughout the world. The class involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret comparative politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the international political reality. The course is designed with a targeted study in the areas of political methodology, sovereignty, authority, power, political institutions as well as cultural, religious, economic change and policy. AP Comparative Government and Politics students will study Advanced Democracies (Great Britain and the European Union), Communist and Post-Communist Regimes (Russia and China), and Less Developed and Newly Developed Countries (Mexico, Iran, and Nigeria). A more thorough description will follow in this syllabus.

This course is taught at the college level and will be challenging. We will focus preparing you to be an educated participant in the political process. Students are required to thoroughly read the text and all assigned supplemental readings. It is imperative that a high level academic environment exist and that the student is dedicated to learning, is highly motivated, and is willing to put forth the effort necessary to master the material at the college level.

Grading Policy

Grades will be based on completion of assignments, quizzes and exams. Final grades will be based on the percentage of total possible points a student has earned by the end of the semester. Semester and final exams will be comprehensive and worth 15% of the total grade.

A=90%-100% B=80%-89% C=70%-79% D=60%-69% F=59 or less The College Board Exams 1 Students throughout the United States take the AP US Government Exam. The grading scale is as follows:

5= Extremely Well Qualified 4= Well Qualified 3= Qualified 2= Possibly Qualified 1= No Recommendation

2010 College Board Exam Dates AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam – Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (A.M.) AP Comparative Government and Politics Exam – Tuesday, May 15, 2012 (P.M.)

TEXT: 1. Almond, Gabriel A., et al. Comparative Politics Today: A World View. 8th Edition. New York: Pearson-Longman, 2007. 2. Wood, Ethel. AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide. 3rd Edition. Reading: WoodYard Publications, 2007. 3. Wedding, Ken. Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics. USA: The Center for Learning.

Other materials will be assigned and used in class which includes: articles from current newspapers. News magazine excerpts from Time, Newsweek, or the Economist; news footage and documentaries; C-SPAN’s coverage and current events materials; numerous Websites and Political Science Readers.

Classroom Environment Course material will be presented in the following basic formats: Lecture Group Discussion and Application Personal Study Time Power Point Presentations Primary Document Analysis

Classroom Behavior 2 You have chosen to take a course that is basically a college course. Please conduct yourself as any mature adult would in a college classroom. This means being in class on time, well prepared, with materials needed and a desire to learn. All students are expected to take an active part in class daily. Come to class prepared to think, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussion. You will be given a participation grade based on these requirements. We should think, speak, and act as democratic citizens. The classroom environment is the venue for discussion, negotiation of competing ideals, debate and compromise. We will gather information through listening, thinking and then critically evaluating issues to formulate your own opinion. We will participate in class discussion that may result in disagreements. It is expected that you will conduct yourself in a manner that is respectful to your fellow class members and agree to disagree with respect. Daily preparation is essential for your success in the class. This includes:

Daily Preparation

* Reading - AP Comparative Government and Politics is a college level course. It is a rigorous curriculum. You will have reading assignments due each class session. You will have regular reading quizzes each week with a chapter or unit test to follow.

* Note Taking - It is required that you take daily comprehensive reading notes and class notes. It is essential that you remain committed and stay on top of the assigned readings. Take these very seriously as they are the foundation of daily discussions and lectures. I cannot overstate the importance of taking excellent notes. Lecture material may NOT come from assigned text readings, but will enhance the material. Lecture and classroom discussion material WILL appear on tests and quizzes. They will be of great help not only for unit test preparation, but also for reviewing for the AP exams in May.

* Notebook – You will need a three- ring binder and five dividers. Please file your class notes and other materials in the proper section. File accordingly. You are expected to keep a well maintained, working notebook. Our goal is to prepare a quality notebook that will aid you in preparing for the College Board Exams. The following sections should appear in your notebook:

1. Syllabus and Updates 2. Introduction to Comparative Politics: A Conceptual Approach and Systems Theory 3. Advanced Democracies (Great Britain and the European Union) 4. Communist and Post Communist Regimes (Russia and China) 5. Newly Industrializing and Less Developed Countries (Mexico, Iran, and Nigeria)

* Current Events and Connections to Learning- The best way to apply political theories learned in class is to follow and be informed of local, state, national, and international news. You are expected to read a local or national newspaper, and/or watch or listen to the news on TV/radio. We will have 3 regular discussions covering current news related stories that correspond to our topics of study.

* Reviews – Exam reviews will be conducted in our classroom in order to prepare for each exam. You will be awarded extra credit points for attending reviews. Reviews will be a combination of early morning, lunch, and afternoon sessions.

* Materials in Class - Bring your textbook (if instructed to do so), notebook, pen or pencil, and notebook to class every day. ALWAYS bring a number two pencil to class on exam days.

* Writing Assignments - You will be given numerous writing assignments to prepare you to successfully write answers on the College Board Exam for Comparative Government. Topics of writing will correspond with topics currently under study. You will be required to write analytical and interpretive answers to the FRQ presented. It is required that all parts of the FRQ be addressed in your writing.

ATTENDANCE AND LATE WORK Regular attendance in this class is absolutely essential. If you know you will be absent on the day of an exam or quiz, you are expected to take it ahead of time. In the event of an unplanned absence, you will have one day for each absence to make up the missed assessment after school during regular afternoon review. Work can only be made up with an EXCUSED absence. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Giving students credit for late assignments is unfair to the students who do their work on time. For this reason, LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED unless the student has an excused absence from school and registered in the school computer system on the DAY AFTER YOUR RETURN TO SCHOOL. NO CREDIT will be given for work missed as a result of an unexcused absence and NO MAKE-UP TESTS will be given for unexcused absences.

SCHOOL RELATED TRIPS I understand that many of you are involved in various activities that will result in trips. Please understand that you are responsible for ALL material you miss for field trips. I cannot prepare you for the AP Exam if you are not here. Field trips are well planned. I will need proper notice from you of an upcoming field trip in advance of your absence.