Advanced Placement U.S. and Comparative Government and Politics
Jennifer Rodgers
Jennifer.Rodgers@lcps.org
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—Jennifer.rodgers@lcps.org
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 QUARTER
Introduction to the Study of Government
Weeks Topic
Reading/Data Analysis
1-2
The Study of
*Wilson Text Ch. 1
American Gov’t
*Kesselman Text Ch. 1
and Introducing
Comparative
Politics
Assignments
*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
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
*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
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
2nd quarter writing
assignment: Enter
an essay
competition of
your choice
Weeks
9 -11
Political Culture
and Public
Opinion
(Comparative)
QUARTER
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
*Kesselman and Wood
selected pages
Contest deadlines vary
from early November
to February.
Submit copy to Mrs.
Rodgers for a grade by
January 11th.
*Study Questions and
Reading Quizzes
*Country Presentations
Test: 11/15
Linkage Institutions: Citizens in Society and the State
12-14
Political Parties,
*Wilson Ch. 7, 8, 9, 10
Campaigns and
Elections, Interest
Groups, Media
(U.S.)
15-18
Citizens in the
State
(Compartive)
*Kesselman and Wood
selected pages
*Study Questions and
Reading Quizzes
*Seminar Discussion
*Political Parties,
Interest Groups,
Campaign Finance
Internet Search
Test: 12/6
*Study Questions and
Reading Quiz
*Seminar Discussion
* Civil Society Country
Comparison assignment
Test: 1/9
19-20
rd
Midterm Review
th
3 and 4 Quarter Major
Writing Assignment: Public
Policy Research Paper
3RD QUARTER
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 Legislative Branch *Wilson Ch. 11
*Study Questions and
21-23
and Public Policy *excerpt from Wilson Ch. 15
Reading Quizzes
(U.S.)
*”Redistricting Game”
online simulation and
reflection
Test: 2/18
24-26
Legislative Branch *Kesselman and Wood
*Study Questions and
(Comp Gov
selected pages
Reading Quiz
countries)
*”I’m Just a Bill” for
Comparative Counties
Test: 3/4
Public Policy and Institutions of Enforcement (Executive Branch)
26- 28
Executive Branch: *Wilson Ch. 12
*Study Questions and
Presidency,
*Wilson Ch. 13
Reading Quizzes (2 sets)
Bureaucracy,
*excerpts from Wilson Ch. 16 *Seminar Discussion
Economic Policy
*Budget Hero online
(U.S.)
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
*Wilson Ch. 14, 18, 19
Rights, Civil
*Supreme Court Opinions
Liberties (U.S. and (from oyez.org)
Comparative)
*Kesselman and Wood
selected pages
33 - 34
AP Exam Review
A.P. Exams: U.S.—5/13; Comparative 5/16
*Study Questions and
Reading Quizzes
*research and presentations
of landmark cases
*Landmark Cases Quiz
*Seminar Discussion
Test: 4/29
Review Assignments and
Quizzes