Advanced Placement U.S. and Comparative Government and Politics
Jennifer Rodgers
Dominion High School
2013-2014
Objectives
This course requires students to understand and analyze the institutions, underlying principles, and factors that influence the United States government, British government, Iranian government, Chinese government, Nigerian government, Mexican government, Russian government, and the European Union.
Course Texts
James Wilson and John DiIulio. American Government: Institutions and Policies, 8th ed. Boston: Hough Mifflin Company, 2001.
Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, and Wiliam Joseph. Introduction to Comparative Politics. Wadsworth, 6th edition.
Ethel Wood. AP Comparative Government and Politics: An Essential Coursebook and Study Guide. Reading, PA: Woodyard Publications, 2011.
This study guide is highly recommended. There will be a group order placed on September 16th. Bring a $16.15 check payable to Dominion High School to place an order.
Many students also elect to purchase an A.P. U.S. Government study guide as well. Most test review companies publish one. My favorite is Barron’s.
Current articles from various news sources will also be an integral part of the course reading.
Organization/Class Requirements
Reading/ Study Questions—Students will be expected to read each chapter in the text, as well as supplemental readings, and complete study questions. Reading questions are not graded, but can be utilized on the reading quizzes.
Reading Quizzes—Students will be given quizzes upon each reading assignment.
(Approximately 5-6 quizzes per quarter x 20 points per quiz)
Seminar Discussion—Students will be expected to participate in class discussions about once per week, which require them to analyze and evaluate the text, supplemental reading materials, and related graphs and charts. Students will be graded on participation.
(Approximately 3-4 seminars per quarter x 10 points per seminar)
FRQ and Current Events Journal—Students will write about 5 free response questions, similar to those that appear on the A.P. exam, per quarter.
In the same journal, students will write summaries and analysis of current events related to the curriculum. (Approximately 4-5 FRQ per quarter x 10 points per FRQ + 4-5 current events per quarter x 10 points = 80-100 points per quarter).
Additional Writing Assignments—There will be one major writing assignment per quarter. 1st quarter students will write a “political socialization auto ethnography” (analyzing their own political beliefs). 2nd quarter students will enter a state or national essay contest relevant to the course. 3rd quarter students will complete an annotated bibliography as part of their public policy research paper. 4th quarter students will write a Supreme Court opinion as part of a moot court simulation.
(50-100 points for each writing assignment)
Projects/Presentations/Internet Search Activities—Students will complete additional assignments that utilize internet resources to supplement the textbook. (10- 50 points, depending on the assignment)
Tests—Tests will be composed of questions similar to those students can anticipate seeing on the A.P. exams. (Each test is worth 100-150 points)
Communication
Jennifer Rodgers—
Approximate test dates can be found on the syllabus. Assignments will be posted on clarity as they are assigned.
Feel free to follow Mrs. Rodgers on twitter (@MrsRodgersDHS) or be a fan of “Mrs. Rodgers’ Neighborhood” on Facebook to receive updates, reminders, etc.
Course Sequence
1ST QUARTERIntroduction to the Study of Government
Weeks / Topic / Reading/Data Analysis / Assignments
1-2 / The Study of American Gov’t and Introducing Comparative Politics / *Wilson Text Ch. 1
*Kesselman Text Ch. 1 / *Study Questions and Reading Quiz
*Seminar Discussion
*Data Analysis Assignment
Test: 9/17
Power, Authority, and Sovereignty
3-4 / The Constitution of the U.S. and Constitutions of Comp Gov countries / *Wilson Ch. 2
*U.S. Constitution
*Federalist No. 10 and No. 51
*Kesselman and Wood selected pages (Constitutions of various countries) / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes (2)
*Reading Quiz
*Seminar Discussion
*write the Constitution in your own words
*Constitution Quiz
5 / Federalism in the U.S. / *Wilson Ch. 3 / *Study Questions and Reading Quiz
*Federalism Cases and Laws Presentations
6 / Federal vs. Unitary Governments (Comp Gov countries) / *Kesselman and Wood selected pages / *Study Questions and Reading Quiz
Test: 10/11
Political Culture, Socialization, and Public Opinion
7-8 / Political Culture and Public Opinion (U.S.) / *Wilson Ch. 4
*Wilson Ch. 5
*Wilson Ch. 6
*Exit polls from recent elections / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes
*Political Socialization auto-ethnography
*Seminar Discussion
Test: 10/28
2ND QUARTER
2nd quarter writing assignment: Enter an essay competition of your choice / Choice of:
*Voice of Democracy audio essay contest
*We the Students (billofrightsinstitute.org)
*First Freedom Center
*US Insitute for Peace
*American Foreign Service Association
*C-Span Student Cam / Contest deadlines vary from early November to February.
Submit copy to Mrs. Rodgers for a grade by January 11th.
Weeks
9 -11 / Political Culture and Public Opinion (Comparative) / *Kesselman and Wood selected pages / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes
*Country Presentations
Test: 11/15
Linkage Institutions: Citizens in Society and the State
12-14 / Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections, Interest Groups, Media (U.S.) / *Wilson Ch. 7, 8, 9, 10 / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes
*Seminar Discussion
*Political Parties, Interest Groups, Campaign Finance Internet Search
Test: 12/6
15-18 / Citizens in the State (Compartive) / *Kesselman and Wood selected pages / *Study Questions and Reading Quiz
*Seminar Discussion
* Civil Society Country Comparison assignment
Test: 1/9
19-20 / Midterm Review
3RD QUARTER
3rd and 4th Quarter Major Writing Assignment: Public Policy Research Paper / Annotated Bibliography: 2/26
Notecards: 3/10
Outline: 3/18
Rough Draft: 4/25
Final Copy: 5/21
Public Policy and Institutions of Deliberation (Legislative Branch)
Weeks
21-23 / Legislative Branch and Public Policy (U.S.) / *Wilson Ch. 11
*excerpt from Wilson Ch. 15 / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes
*”Redistricting Game” online simulation and reflection
Test: 2/18
24-26 / Legislative Branch (Comp Gov countries) / *Kesselman and Wood selected pages / *Study Questions and Reading Quiz
*”I’m Just a Bill” for Comparative Counties
Test: 3/4
Public Policy and Institutions of Enforcement (Executive Branch)
26- 28 / Executive Branch: Presidency, Bureaucracy, Economic Policy (U.S.) / *Wilson Ch. 12
*Wilson Ch. 13
*excerpts from Wilson Ch. 16 / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes (2 sets)
*Seminar Discussion
*Budget Hero online simulation and reflection
Test: 3/20
4TH QUARTER
Weeks
29-30 / Executive, Bureaucracy, Military, Political and Economic Change / *Kesselman and Wood selected pages / *Study Questions and Reading Quiz
Test: 4/4
Judiciary, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
31- 33 / Judiciary, Civil Rights, Civil Liberties (U.S. and Comparative) / *Wilson Ch. 14, 18, 19
*Supreme Court Opinions (from oyez.org)
*Kesselman and Wood selected pages / *Study Questions and Reading Quizzes
*research and presentations of landmark cases
*Landmark Cases Quiz
*Seminar Discussion
Test: 4/29
33 - 34 / AP Exam Review / Review Assignments and Quizzes
A.P. Exams: U.S.—5/13; Comparative 5/16