AP U.S. Government & Politics
AP Comparative Government & Politics
Course Syllabus
Introduction
Political Science is the study of power, sovereignty, participation, rights, liberties, and policy; however, at the most basic level,
political science prescribes a standard for how human beings interact with each other on a collective level. Over the course of this
year, my personal goal as your instructor is to provide you with opportunities to develop a critical awareness which will allow you to
first become an engaged and active citizen of the United States, then a global citizen. I will consider myself successful in achieving
this goal when you graduate with an informed opinion on current events, a commitment to vote, the will to force change where you
see it necessary, and the knowledge to do so.
This course is taught on a college-level, which means a rigorous workload and higher level readings. All assignments are designed to
help prepare you for the AP Exams in May as well as your future career in college. You must manage your time carefully to ensure
that you do not fall behind.
Goals
By the completion of this course, you should…
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know important facts, concepts, and theories pertaining to government and politics in the U.S., China, Great Britain, Iran,
Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia.
understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of
political behavior, the principles used to explain or justify various government structures and procedures, and the political
effects of these structures and procedures).
be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U .S. government and politics (including data presented in charts,
tables, and other formats); be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to comparative government and politics.
be able to critically analyze relevant theories and concepts, apply them appropriately, and develop their connections across
the curriculum.
understand major comparative political concepts, themes, and generalizations.
be able to compare and contrast political institutions and processes across countries and to derive generalizations.
Expectations
 BE PREPARED. Come to class each day with all necessary books and materials, having read the assigned material
in advance, with any completed assignments which are due.
 BE ACTIVE. Participate in class discussions; engage with your peers and the world in which you live. Care.
 BE RESPECTFUL. Of yourself. Of your peers. Of your teacher. Of your school. Of your community. Of your world.
Textbooks
Wilson, James Q. American Government: Institutions and Policies. 8th ed. (Lexington: D.C. Heath and Co., 2001).
Woll, Peter, ed. American Government: Reading and Cases. 14th ed. (New York: Little, Brown and Co., 2002).
Kesselman, Mark, Joel Krieger, and William Joseph. Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political Challenges and Changing Agendas.
6th ed. (Boston: Wadsworth, 2013).
Student Evaluation
You will have a number of opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the course material. These evaluations include, but are not
limited to…
Unit Tests – Given at the conclusion of each unit, these tests include multiple choice and free response questions and will be both
timed and scored using the same standards as the College Board allows for the AP Exam. Tests are worth 100 points each.
Projects/Debates/Writing Assignments – Each unit will include a project, debate, or writing assignment which will allow you to delve
deeper into a specific aspect of the unit. Projects/Debates/Writing Assignments are worth 100 points each.
Terminology – At the beginning of each unit you will be assigned a list of terminology. You will need to create flashcards which
include definition and categorization. Flashcard sets will be worth 25 points each.
Quizzes – Periodically you will be given quizzes on assigned reading material as well as terminology. These will not be announced,
but will never be given before the reading assignment or terminology flashcards are due. Quizzes will be worth 20 points each.
Current Events – You will submit two current event summaries monthly, directions are provided in this syllabus. Events should relate
on some level to the current unit of study. Current events will be worth 25 points each.
Course Grade
Your course grade will be calculated using a total points system. You will be required to take a midterm exam, however, you may be
eligible for a senior exemption from your final exam in accordance with LCPS and JCHS policies. You are expected to use the CLARITY
system to monitor your grade and progress throughout the year, and should you have a question or concern, it is your responsibility
to address it with your teacher.
Attendance & Make-Up Work
Definition:
Absence – when a student is not present during any given class period, for any reason (other than skipping class).
As a student, it is important that you are in class every block. The instruction, activities, assignment, and discussions which take
place in the classroom are necessary in order for you to develop a complete understanding and mastery of the content of the
course. In addition, as a valuable member of this class, you are doing a disservice to your peers when you are not in class.
However, there will be occasions in which you are absent from class due to illness, field trips, athletics, or for other reasons. In these
situations, it is your responsibility to communicate with your teacher and to complete all missed work by the due date and to
schedule any missed tests or quizzes. The timeline for submitting missing work as the result of an absence is below.
Tests: Must be made up within one week (7 calendar days) of the date of return to class.
All other work: Must be made up within the number of days you were absent from this class.
(Ex. You miss three days of school, but you only miss this class once. You will have one class period to make up your work.)
Any test or work not made up by the revised due date will be considered late, and will be graded in accordance with the Late Work
Policy.
Late Work
Definitions:
Late Work – Any assignment submitted after the due date and before the deadline.
Due Date – The date an assignment is due. The date an assignment must be submitted in order to be on time.
Deadline – The last date on which an assignment may be submitted.
As a student, it is important that you submit all work, on time, and completed to the best of your ability. In order to contribute to
class discussions in a meaningful manner, fully comprehend each lesson and topic, and master the content of this course; you must
come to class prepared. If you are unable to submit any assignment by the due date, it is your responsibility to communicate this
with your teacher and to make up the assignment by the deadline.
Work Submitted:
On time (by the due date) – Eligible for up to full credit.
Late – Eligible for up to 75% credit.
After deadline – 50% credit. (the failure to submit the assignment will be noted in CLARITY)
Current Events
You will submit 2 current events at the end of each calendar month, which you will have selected from a reputable daily
news source. For each…
a. Summarize the event.
b. Explain why it is politically significant.
c. Describe the possible consequences of the event and the policy options available to the country’s government.
d. Place the event in comparative context. To what extent does the event tell us something unique about the
country’s political system? To what extent does the event illustrate something that one find in any/all other
political systems?
e. Connect the event to specific concepts from this course, using at least 3 appropriate key terms.
f. Attach a copy of the news article to your current event summary.
AP Exams
AP U.S. Government and Politics
Exam Date: May 13, 2014 (AM)
60 Multiple Choice Questions (45 Minutes)
4 Free Response Questions (100 Minutes)
AP Comparative Government and Politics
Exam Date: May 16, 2014 (AM)
55 Multiple Choice Questions (45 Minutes)
5 Short Answer & 3 Long Answer Free Response
Questions (100 Minutes)
Academic Honesty
Students are expected to do their own work on all tests, papers, projects, or other assignments to be done on an
individual basis. Students should neither turn in another student’s work as their own nor give assistance to another
student. Any student who turns in another student’s work as his or her own or who assists or gives his or her work to
another student shall be given a grade of zero on that work. The incident will be reported to the principal and the
parents.
Course Outline
Approximately 36 class periods will be spent on each course, leaving 1-2 weeks for review before the AP exams. Readings listed in
this outline are general, a specific schedule of topics and assignments will be provided to students at the beginning of each unit.
Part One: AP U.S. Government and Politics
Unit One: Constitution
Topics: Political Theory, Separation of Powers, Federalism, Checks and Balances
Readings: U.S. Constitution, Federalist #10, Marbury v. Madison, McCulloch v. Maryland, Wilson Ch. 2-3
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR)
4 Blocks
Unit Two: Political Beliefs and Behavior
Topics: Political Socialization, Public Opinion, Political Participation, Political Ideology, Political Culture, Demography
Readings: Wilson Ch. 4-6
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Public Opinion Survey Project
6 Blocks
Unit Three: Political Parties, Interest Groups, & Mass Media
Topics: Political Parties, Party Identification, Campaigns, Elections, Interest Groups, PAC’s, Mass Media
Readings: Wilson Ch. 7-10, Citizens United v. FEC,
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Voting Trends Data Analysis Project
6 Blocks
Unit Four: Institutions (Legislative, Executive, Judicial)
Topics: Congress, Presidency, Bureaucracy, Courts
Readings: Wilson Ch. 11-14, U.S. v. Nixon, Korematsu v. U.S., Heart of Atlanta Motel v. U.S.
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Position Paper Writing Assignment
14 Blocks
Unit Five: Public Policy
Topics: Policy Agenda, Policy Formation, Policy Implementation, Policy Interpretation, Domestic Policy, Foreign Policy
Readings: Wilson Ch. 16-17, Wilson Ch. 20-21
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Domestic Policy Debate
3 Blocks
Unit Six: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties
Topics: Rights, Liberties, Bill of Rights, 14th Amendment
Readings: Wilson Ch. 18-19, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, Gideon v. Wainright, Miranda v. Arizona, Roe v. Wade,
Tinker v. Des Moines
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR)
3 Blocks
Part Two: Comparative Government and Politics
Unit One: Consolidated Democracies
Countries: Great Britain, United States
Topics: Historical Context, Representation, Participation, Policy Making, Economy, European Union, Current Issues
Readings: Kesselman Ch. 1, Keselman Ch. 9
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Globalization Project
6 Blocks
Unit Two: Transitional Democracies
Countries: Russian Federation, Mexico, Nigeria
Topics: Historical Context, Representation, Participation, Policy Making, Economy, Current Issues
Readings: Kesselman Ch. 4-6
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Nigerian Constitutional Convention Simulation
18 Blocks
Unit Three: Authoritarian Regimes
Countries: Iran, China
Topics: Historical Context, Representation, Participation, Policy Making, Economy, Current Issues
Readings: Kesselman Ch. 7-8
Summative Assessments: Unit Test (MC & FR), Human Rights Project
12 Blocks