AP Comparative Government and Politics
Syllabus 2014-2015
Mr. Hairgrove A211
I. Course Description
This is a yearlong course that will help students gain a global understanding and help prepare them for
college coursework. This course introduces students to fundamental concepts used by political
scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. This is an
Advanced Placement class which has an exam date on May 16.
II. Course Goals and Objectives
The course will study the political institutions, themes, and trends by comparing six very different
countries. The topics of the class are: Sovereignty and Power, Political Institutions, Citizens and the
State, Political and Economic Change, and Public Policy. The six countries we will be studying are China,
Russia, Iran, United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Mexico. Using these countries as case studies helps clarify
the class topics and apply them to the real world.
III. Course Materials
Expect to read about 20 pages for each class period.
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Introduction to Comparative Politics by Mark Kesselman, et al. (6th Ed.)
Fast Track to a 5 by Rebecca Small
The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria
Numerous web pages and news sites
The Economist magazine- Recommended
In addition to the paper texts, we will be accessing digital resources at home and at school. There will
be a code given for the online text as well as other resources such as an interactive glossary. The class
website with have linked resources, a detailed class calendar, as well as old notes and quizzes. In class,
we will be using response systems, iPads, and technology students will bring from home. Technology will
enhance class activities and participation but is not necessary for success in this class. Do not feel
obligated to purchase a laptop or any other device to be successful.
IV. Curriculum Calendar
A fully developed and updated calendar can be found on Mr. Hairgrove’s wiki page. This includes
scheduled class topics, due assignments, and assessments posted on my website. This will give you the
big picture, help you catch up if you are absent, or allow you to work ahead if needed. This calendar will
be updated continuously and is subject to change. Students are responsible for keeping up with
changes made on the website or communicated in class. Here is a basic overview of the major topics,
assignments, and assessments:
1. Introduction and the European Union (10 days)
In this unit we will be analyzing the basic vocabulary of comparative government and the methods of
comparing political systems and institutions. We will start by breaking down the course outline to see
the themes of sovereignty, political institutions, society, political and economic change, and public policy
in context. We will then evaluate methodologies in comparative science including variables, empirical
and normative questions, quantitative versus qualitative analysis, similar and difference in approach of
comparison, validity, and various theories in political science. We will then analyze states, governments,
regimes, political economy, economic systems, and societal cleavages. After that, we will expand our
limited understanding of political ideology and apply them to various different political systems at
different levels of democratization. We will then focus on globalization in general and then specifically
in the development, governance, and challenges in the European Union.
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Kesselman, chapter 1, “Introduction”
Kesselman, chapter 8, “European Union”
Discussions about “The Future of Freedom” by Fareed Zakaria
Relevant Journal Articles on “The End of History”, “Jihad vs McWorld”, and “Clash of Civilizations”
Debates about Globalization and the Future of the European Union
Listen to college debate on EU
Practice with AP Comparative Government FRQs
Reading quizzes most days and a test
2. United Kingdom (11 days)
In our unit on the United Kingdom, we will be analyzing a substantive democracy and our only true
example of a parliamentary system. We will start by analyzing the gradual transition in the UK’s political
and economic liberalization. We will delve into the UK’s government system and how a parliamentary
system is fundamentally different from our presidential system. We will use the UK as a starting point in
looking at various different electoral systems and how that informs political party systems and ideology.
We will end by analyzing the various different societal and public policy issues facing the country.
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Kesselman, chapter 2, “Britain”
A Mock “Question Time” Parliament session
Scenes from the film “Iran Lady” about Margaret Thatcher.
An analysis of electoral systems and their impacts
Listen to lecture by Sandra Day O’Connor
Begin work on a book essay of the student’s choice
Reading quizzes most days and a test
3. Russia (9 days)
Our unit on Russia will give us a glimpse into a communist system and how it has evolved into an illiberal
democracy. During our section of political and economic change, we will look at the Soviet system as
well as the dramatic challenges transitioning into a democracy after the call of the Soviet Union. We will
then analyze Russia’s government system by comparing the constitutional system to the reality of how it
operates. We will then delve into the Putin era and all the political, economic, societal, and public policy
issues that have developed under his leadership.
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Kesselman, chapter 4, “The Russian Federation”
Analysis of Soviet history and system
Reading various current event articles on the Putin era
Listen to college lecture on Putin
Debate on the impact of Putin
Reading quizzes most days and a test
4. China (8 days)
In the China unit, we will be looking at our first true non-democracy and how China has developed its
completely unique political and economic system. We will start with the historical circumstances that
led to China’s political system as well as how that has changed dramatically in the last 30 years. We will
then unravel the mysteries about how both the Communist Party and Communist Government rule the
country. We will end this unit by analyzing and debating about the societal cleavages and policies that
shape modern China.
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Kesselman, chapter 8, “China”
Creating graphic organizers of China’s government
Debate about the Chinese political and economic model
Watch TED talk about China’s “superior meritocracy”
Watch a series of PBS documentaries about modern issues in China
Read many articles about China’s government, politics, economy, and policies
Class discussions on book essays
Reading quizzes most days and a test
Practice with AP Comparative Government FRQs
Midterm Exam
5. Mexico (9 days)
In our unit in Mexico, we will be returning to many of the themes of the impact of one-party rule as well
as how a consolidating democracy is developing in a middle income country. We will start with the
history of Mexico with a specific emphasis of how they have emerged from an insular one-party system
to a globalized multi-party democracy. When analyzing their government system, we will compare it to
the UK’s developed democracy, Russia’s semi-presidential system, and its unique electoral system. We
will then look at the challenges Mexico has been facing in continuing reform while facing serious
domestic security issues.
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Kesselman, chapter 5, “Mexico”
Reading the AP Briefing Paper on Mexico
Analysis of data to classify political, economic systems
Use of current event articles on Mexico
Group presentations on relevant modern issues in Mexico
Role-playing debate from Mexico’s political parties
Assigning public policy essay on a country and issue of their choice
Reading quizzes most days and a test
6. Nigeria (8 days)
In Nigeria, we will be looking at the impact of colonialism in this diverse African country with a new
emerging democratic system. When looking at the history of Nigeria, we will especially focus on the
diverse ethnic groups that have come into conflict and worked together through four republics and
many military interventions. We will be looking at how Nigeria’s unique development has shaped a
political system modeled after the United States into a very different direction. We will be analyzing
how politics, oil, and cleavages have shaped this emerging democracy in the last 15 years.
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Kesselman, chapter 6, “Nigeria”
Reading various current event articles about Nigeria’s current challenges
Reading the AP Briefing Paper on Nigeria
Analysis of challenges in Africa and developing countries
Analyzing documentaries about Nigeria
 Role-play debate about the future of Nigeria
 Reading quizzes most days and a test
7. Iran (9 days)
In our unit on Iran, we will be looking at a political system very different from any other in this course
and how Islam shapes the world’s only true theocracy. We will start by looking at Iran’s history by
focusing especially on tensions with the West and the Iranian Revolution. We will then unravel the
mysteries of the interactions between the elected and religious political institutions in Iran’s
government and try to figure out if Iran is an illiberal democracy or a non-democracy. When focusing on
Iran’s politics, public policy, and society, we will focus on the role of Islam and compare the role of oil
with other rentier states we have covered.
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Kesselman, chapter 7, “Iran”
Reading the AP Briefing Paper on Iran
Reading current event articles on Iran’s current events and foreign policy
Watching scenes from “Persepolis” about the Iranian Revolution and the Cultural Revolution
Creating graphic organizers of Iran’s government
Group discussion of research essays
Watching clips of documentaries about Iran’s family planning policies as well as divorce court
Assigning a film essay of a film of their choice (from a selected list)
Practice with AP Comparative Government FRQs
Reading quizzes most days and a test
8. Review for Exam (7 days)
During this part of the course we will go back over the material in the course thematically using the
guidelines of the topics from the College Board. We will truly be comparing countries based on their
political institutions, electoral systems, their changes over time, and many other ways.
 Series of review charts to compare countries based on course themes
 Group review activities like practice tests and students reteaching each other
 Review games
9. Post Exam Project (4-5 days)
Once the exam is over, we will be working on group projects in class that will review the major ideas of
the course and apply them to the American political system. This will be done mostly in class and be
counted as the final assessment grade of the class.
 Collaborative work on devising an alternate American political system
 Group presentations and videos
V. Assessment
70% Formal Assignments:
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Tests: There will be eight tests (the last will be a project) in addition to a midterm and the AP
Exam. The format will mimic the AP Exam with half of the points from multiple choice questions
and the other half from free response questions.
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Quizzes: Quizzes will be given as a warm up to class most class days. These will assess
understanding the assigned reading as well as previously taught material. Quizzes will be five
multiple choice questions in which each incorrect question will be 10% off of the total score.
Some quizzes will be open notes, doubled, or have bonus questions. The purpose of quizzes is
for students to keep up with their textbook readings, make notes that are relevant to them, and
give them practice with sample questions.
30% Informal Assignments:
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Assignments will come in three major varieties: essays, article readings, and class work:
o There will be three essays assigned during the school year: the first will be based on a
book of their choice, the second on research on a country specific public policy, and the
third on a film of their choice.
o In each unit, students will need to read articles assigned by Mr. Hairgrove. Also, once
per unit, students will need to find an article dealing with the country being studied.
For each article reading, students will need to submit a one paragraph summary and
one paragraph reaction.
o There will also be a variety of assignments, presentations, and activities done in class
that may be assessed.
Late Assignments: Assignments will be given a specific time window to be submitted. Late
assignments will be accepted at 20% penalty for the first class day late, 50% penalty for two
class days late, and will not be accepted after that.
Absences: If a student is absent, they are responsible for any notes or assignments given in class.
Before discussing missed notes or assignments with Mr. Hairgrove, check his website and talk to another
student about what was missed. Any missed quizzes must be made up before or after school. Any
missed assignment or quiz will be temporarily given a 0 in the grade book until made up. Students will
have the number of class days absent to make up work from when they are absent. For any absences, if
requested, we will create an individual schedule to make up class work within 10 days of the absences.
If a student is going to miss a scheduled test, they must inform Mr. Hairgrove in advance or by 10 am
the day of the test. Consequences of not doing this will result in students making up a more difficult
version of the test.
Contact Information
Email: stephen.hairgrove@cms.k12.nc.us
Website: http://hairgrove.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/
Twitter: @putinismyhero