AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT



AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

This seminar is the equivalent of an introductory-level college course in political science.  Included in course topics is the intellectual framework of comparative politics, vocabulary, theoretical models, and concepts of political organization, processes and policies.  In addition, students will develop an understanding of the European Union (EU) and the interrelationship of member countries as well as EU policies.  Throughout the course, comparisons of systems of government will be studied, including the European Union, Great Britain, Russia, China, Nigeria, Iran, and Mexico.

General Topics:

• The Sources of Public Authority and Political Power

• Society and Politics

• Citizens and the State

• Political Framework

• Political Change

• Comparative politics case studies: Great Britain, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, Iran.

• The European Union

Texts and Readings:

Comparative Government: A Theoretical Framework, Almond and Powell (2004)

AP Comparative Government and Politics: a Study Guide, 4th edition (Ethel Wood)

Supplemental Reading: Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 2011/2012

Selected Articles from The Economist

Course Outline

INTRODUCTION: COMPARATIVE POLITICS: A CONCEPTUAL APPROACH

Time: 2 weeks

Topics: Introduction to the world: world statistics; The United Nations; Making comparisons

Objectives:

▪ Explain why we study comparative politics

▪ Evaluate the role of the UN in world politics

▪ Introduce important terms for the study of comparative politics

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

▪ Explain and evaluate globalization and democratization

▪ Describe forms of government and political issue

Readings:

▪ Almond and Powell: Chaps. 1, 2, 3

▪ Wood: Chapter 1

▪ Annual Editions:

o Select readings

Time: 2 weeks

Topics: Interest Aggregation and articulation, Political parties, government and policymaking, public policy

Objectives:

▪ Apply concepts of legitimacy and political culture to linkage institutions

▪ Know ways in which citizens can articulate their interests to the government

▪ Be able to understand the significance of civil society to a democracy

▪ Be able to understand the differences between pluralist, corporatist, and interest group systems.

▪ Understand differences between consensus building and coalition building in democratic politics

▪ Discuss trends and significance of political parties in the world

▪ Discuss outcomes of public policy when related to domestic and international arenas

Readings:

▪ Almond: Chaps 4, 5, 6, 7

CASE STUDIES: DEMOCRACIES

Time: 8 days

Topics: United Kingdom

Objectives:

▪ Understand case study of the UK as a democracy

▪ Apply comparative concepts to UK

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

Readings:

▪ Almond and Powell: Britain

▪ Wood: Britain

▪ Annual Editions:

o Select readings

Time: 3 days

Topic: European Union

Objectives:

• Evaluate the EU as an economic and political regional alliance

• Understand the organization and interrelationships in this supranational organization.

Readings:

• Select readings from the Economist and Annual Editions.

CASE STUDIES: Communist and Post-Communist Regimes

Time: 7 days

Topics: Russia

Objectives:

▪ Evaluate Russia as a developing democracy

▪ Apply comparative concepts to Russia

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

Readings:

▪ Almond and Powell: Russia

▪ Wood: Russia

▪ Annual Editions:

o Select readings

Time: 7 days

Topics: China

Objectives:

▪ Evaluate China as a state in transition

▪ Apply comparative concepts to China

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

Readings:

▪ Almond and Powell: China

▪ Wood: China

▪ Annual Editions:

o Select readings

CASE STUDIES: DEVELOPING DEMOCRACIES AND LDC’S

Time: 5 days

Topics: Mexico

Objectives:

▪ Evaluate Mexico as a developing democracy

▪ Apply comparative concepts to Mexico

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

Readings:

▪ Mexico

▪ Wood: Mexico

▪ Annual Editions:

o Select readings

Time: 5 days

Topics: Nigeria

Objectives:

▪ Evaluate Nigeria as a developing democracy

▪ Apply comparative concepts to Nigeria

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

Readings:

▪ Almond and Powell: Nigeria

▪ Wood: Nigeria

Time: 5 days

Topics: Iran

Objectives:

▪ Evaluate Iran as a state in transition

▪ Apply comparative concepts to Iran

o Legitimacy

o Political Culture

o Political Participation

o Interest articulation and aggregation

o Political Institutions

o Political Change

Readings:

▪ Almond and Powell: Iran

▪ Wood: Iran

o Supplemental Readings

Course Requirements

• Students are expected to read assigned material as scheduled to discuss the lessons and receive participation points.

• There will be a comprehensive final exam at the end of the Comparative Government course.

• There is minimal extra credit, so it is imperative that assignments for points are completed and reflect best effort.

Academic Grading Factors:

• Reading and Reading Review Q’s: To do well in this course, you will need to read 15-30 minutes per night.

• Writing assignments: Assigned in class. Writing will be based on in class topics and supplementary readings. Writing assignments are given 1-2 times per unit.

• Group Projects

o Country Presentation, Fact Sheets and Matrices: At the end of each country study, groups will present a country research project and matrix. Students will lead one 50-minute class session on their country.

• Midterm: Given near the end of 3rd quarter, comprehensive to date (100 points). Includes multiple choice and 8 free response questions: 5 – definitions, 1 – conceptual analysis, 2- Country context.

• Final: Given the week before the AP Exam. (100 points). ). Includes multiple choice and 8 free response questions: 5 – definitions, 1 – conceptual analysis, 2- Country context.

• Participation: Based on attendance, discussion participation, preparation and classroom behavior.

Grading Scale:

90-100 % A

80-89 B

70-79 C

60-69 D

Below 60% constitutes failure.

AP Comparative Government

Country Group Presentations.

Each class member will be on a country team and will help to prepare a class presentation that includes visuals and handouts. Each presentation will include the following components:

A one-day panel discussion/question-and-answer session/presentation in which students cover the main idea in the unit

A word-processed outline of the unit, in complete sentence or paragraph form, with all vocabulary words highlighted or italicized and defined

A wall poster outlining the structure of the government, plus persons in charge and their parties, with handouts of the same for each class member

Political party charts, with parties and leaders, for each student

Handouts or oral presentation of materials to update your text (use of the Internet is encouraged)

At least one creative review activity, such as "Jeopardy" or a crossword puzzle

• Complete matrix (with copies for the class)

• Four questions that are asked about each of the countries being studied -- individually and together:

7. Why does there always seem to be tension between governments and their citizens?

8. How do historical and international forces shape that relationship between state and society?

9. Why have some -- but only some -- states developed stable democratic regimes?

10. How do countries with different types of governments and levels of resources deal with economic, ethnic, and other issues?

All students in the class will be assigned to lead and participate in these discussions; as a leader, you also will play the role of class expert on assigned questions and will have prepared notes on your questions.

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