Email: jzirbel@bssd72.org
Webpage: http://mszirbel.weebly.com
Schoology Access Code:
I hold high expectations of myself, and in turn, I hold high expectations of my students. I believe that learning results from collaboration between the teacher, the student, and the community. My responsibility is to provide students with the tools necessary to critically engage the subject matter through interactive lesson planning. My students are responsible for being active and empowered learners through working hard and seeking assistance when learning becomes a struggle. When each party fulfills these responsibilities teaching becomes learning and students will find success. My door (and email) are always open, please use them if you have any questions or concerns.
This includes, but is not limited to being:
1.
Respectful of your peers, teachers, school, and yourself
 Listen when it’s time to listen, Speak when it’s time to speak, Follow directions and be kind
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Please do NOT have your cell phone in class. If I can see it or hear it, then I can take it!
2.
Positive and persevering…despite challenges
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Be an active learner and advocate for yourself
3.
On time and prepared
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Being on time but not prepared may result in a tardy
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See student handbook for disciplinary policy regarding detention, suspension, etc.
4.
Proud of your work and always doing your best
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If you cheat or plagiarize you will receive a 0 for that assignment and subject to disciplinary action. Please refer to school policy for more information.
5.
Responsible for your actions
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Make good choices because you are responsible for the outcome – good or bad.
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See student handbook for disciplinary policy regarding behavior
Please bring the following items with you to class everyday:
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Three ring binder or section in a binder with binder paper
 Pen and/or pencil
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Textbook: Comparative Politics: Domestic Response to Global Challenges
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Homework/other assignments that are due are complete and turned in to schoology (if applicable)
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Although you do not need to bring it every day, it is recommended that you keep all materials for the duration of the course.
Do ALL assigned work and know when it’s due!
LPHS Social Studies 2014-15: AP Comp. Govt . 1 of 9

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This means printed out and ready to turn in or submitted to schoology/turnitin before class starts.
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Late work will be accepted within the following parameters: o Homework – May be turned in by the end of school the next day for 50% credit o Projects/Essay – Minus one letter grade for each day that it is late with NO option for revisions.
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If you are absent, then you have the number of class periods missed to complete and turn in any missed assignments. Please indicate “Absent” on your assignments.
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If you are absent on a test day, you must take it on your first day back in class.
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Projects/Essays that are long term assignments will be due on the due date even if you are absent.
***Extensions***
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Please see me BEFORE an assignment is due if you need additional time to complete it. If you wait until the due date then the above late policies will apply.
***Request to Retest***
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See requirements on the form by the same name available from Ms. Zirbel
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Please make use of Infinite Campus to keep track of grades and assignments. I will do my very best to keep Infinite Campus updated with grades and assignment due dates.
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Your grade will be comprised of the following categories: o In-class Assignments/Participation – generally worth 5-10 points each o Homework – generally worth 15-40 points each o Exams (multiple choice and free response) – generally worth 100 points each
 Cumulative Final – 200 points or twice as much as the highest point exam o Analytical and Interpretive Essays – generally worth 100-150 points each
AP EXAM DATE: May , 2015
Cost: $89 paid to Marie Goode
In today’s increasingly interdependent world, it has become necessary for to think globally.
Understanding how America interacts with and affects others is no longer enough; to gain a full and true understanding of international events students will also study the political structures and perspectives of other nations, and how they compare, affect, and interact with one another. Only by comparing and contrasting governments and policies of different countries will students fully understand current world politics and anticipate and prepare for where it is going in the future.
To accomplish this, students will distinguish between normative, or value-related, questions and empirical or factual questions at this early stage, and to emphasize that political scientists are interested in both sorts of questions. Students will need to grasp the conceptual differences between and similarities among types of political systems. Despite vast differences between economies and regime types, most countries face similar challenges, including those presented by the natural environment, social and ethnic diversity, economic performance, overcoming historical challenges, and the delivery of health care to citizens. This course will focus on six countries that represent the full range of political systems in our world: Great
Britain, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran. The College Board’s course description, requirements, and guidelines will be followed in order to prepare students to pass the AP exam.
Textbook: Hauss, Charles and Melissa Haussman. Comparative Politics: Domestic Response to Global
Challenges , Eighth Edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2013.
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Supplemental Readings: New York Times, Washington Post, BBC, The Economist , The Moscow Times ,
AP Central Briefing Papers including but not limited to Globalization and Democratization , TED Talks, and other sources as appropriate
Unit 1: Introduction to Comparative Government
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Concepts o Key terminology in comparative government
 Includes sovereignty, authority, power, state, regime, government o Definition and purpose of comparative government and politics o Understand a paradigm and paradigm shift in political science o Types of states o Purpose and methods of comparison and classification including: 1.) Ways to organize government and 2.) Normative and empirical questions o Globalization o Democratization - Liberal vs. Illiberal o Origins of the democratic state o Political culture and participation in democratic states o Purpose and types of public policy o Globalization and the Millennium Development Goals
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Activities o Socratic Seminars
 Jihad vs. McWorld
 Democracy’s Third Wave Today and/or The Nature of Nation Failure o Globalization Theater – role play o Collect data on the six case study countries and compare data to determine and rank levels of development and democratization o Discuss ethical issues related to industrialization and development through a mock court o Discussion Day 1 TED Talks: Paddy Ashdown : The Global Power Shift o Discussion: TED Talks Rory Stewart: Why Democracy Matters o Discussion: TED Talks Hans Rosling: Let My Dataset Change Your Mindset o Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o Hauss, Chapter 1: Seeking New Lands, Seeing with New Eyes o Hauss, Chapter 2: The Industrialized Democracies o Globalization Briefing Paper – AP Central Website o Democratization Briefing Paper – AP Central Website o Barber, Benjamin. The Atlantic , “Jihad v. McWorld.” March 1992. o Rotberg, Robert. The Washington Quarterly , “The New Nature of Nation Failure.” Pg.
85-96, Summer 2002. o Diamond, Larry. Current History Magazine
, “Democracy’s Third Wave Today.”
November 2011.
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Assessment o Vocabulary Quiz o Chapter Quizzes o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Unit 2: Mexico
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Concepts o Evolution of politics in the global south including the impact of imperialism and postcolonial problems including slums o Define dependency in the context of the Global South
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o Analyze the impact of international organizations such as NAFTA on Mexico and sovereign states in general o Political culture in the global south and Mexico o Political participation in the global south and Mexico o Analyze Mexico’s constitution to understand political institutions, and the rights of citizens, and society that might influence participation o Definition and identification of weak and failed states
 Types of regimes that govern weak and failed states including military, dictatorship, single-party, etc. o The myths and realities of public policies in developing states o History of Mexico and the evolution of Mexican politics o The logistics of the Mexican government o Public policy development in Mexico
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Activities o Debate/Panel Discussion: Mexico will become a failed state due to its inability to prevent violence and drug trafficking.
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After Six Years of Bloodshed, Mexico's Drug War Shows Little Sign of Waning and A Grisly Crime Surges into Spotlight as Government Shifts Drug War
Strategy o Connect the events and people of Mexico’s revolution through a documentary –
The
Storm that Swept Mexico o Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o Beith, Malcolm. The Atlantic : “After Six Years of Bloodshed, Mexico’s Drug War
Shows Little Sign of Waning.” 4 June 2013. o Hauss, Chapter 11: The Global South o Hauss Chapter 16: Mexico o Shoichet, Catherine E.
A Grisly Crime Surges into Spotlight as Government Shifts Drug
War Strategy. CNN. 28 March 2013.
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Assessment o Chapter Quizzes o Case Study Essay and discussion o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Unit 3: United Kingdom and the EU
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Concepts o Evolution of the British State including imperialism and the commonwealth o British Political Culture o British Political Participation, election process, and political parties o Logistics of a parliamentary democracy and parliamentary processes including prime minister’s weekly questions in the House of Commons o Purpose, function, and popular opinion of the British Monarchy o Political institutions, citizens, and society o British economy within the state, the EU, the Commonwealth, and the world o Mission of the EU and its governance structure o Political culture and participation in the EU as an international organization and its impact on state sovereignty
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Activities o Political parties posters and presentations o Parliamentary Democracy Analogy Assignment o Research a historically important prime minister and convince the class that he/she deserves to be in the (fictitious) “PM Hall of Fame” o Watch and discuss Prime Minister’s weekly questions with the House of Commons
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o Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o Hauss, Chapter 4: The United Kingdom o Hauss, Chapter 7: The European Union
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Assessment o Chapter Quizzes o Globalization Essay o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Unit 4: Nigeria
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Concepts o Evolution of the Nigerian state including impact of colonization, post colonization challenges o Current regime and its effectiveness in implementing relevant public policy o Political culture and participation including the role of the media and religion o Current issues in Nigeria including: poverty, gender, and economy o Analyze Nigeria’s constitution to understand political institutions, government structure, election process, and the rights of citizens, and society that might influence participation o Explain why Nigeria’s status as a rentier state both allows it to resist structural adjustment and makes it vulnerable to global economic fluctuations o Nigeria in the greater context of Africa and as an friend of the US
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Activities o Discussion: TED Talk: Franco Sacchi Tours Nigeria’s booming Nollywood o Discussion: TED Talk: Ngozi Oknojo-Iweala on Aid versus Trade o Socratic Seminar: Nigeria and terrorism
 Nigeria: Current Issues and US Policy, Social Issues and Security Concerns pgs.
11-14 and Issues for Congress pgs. 17-20 and Analysis: Hurdles to Nigerian government-Boko Haram Dialogue o Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o Bloch, Lauren. Nigeria: Current Issues and US Policy . Congressional Research Service,
24 April 2013. o Hauss, Chapter 15: Nigeria o IRIN. Analysis: Hurdles to Nigerian government-Boko Haram Dialogue. UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 28 November 2012.
o Nigeria Briefing Paper – AP Central Website
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Assessment o Chapter Quizzes o Case Study Essay and discussion o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Unit 5: Russia
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Concepts o
Evolution of the Russian state including: the revolution, Lenin, collapse of the Soviet
Union, and rise of the modern government o Role and power of Putin o Transition from communist dictatorships to democracy o Political culture and participation including political parties and the election process o The structure of the Russian parliamentary system and the functions of each branch o Examine additional political institutions including the oligarchs o Understand the role of the citizens in society o Development and implementation of Russian public policy including foreign policy – particularly in the Eastern European region like Ukraine
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o Ways political scientists determine the legitimacy of a regime
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Activities o Obituaries of Soviet/Russian leaders o Performance Art – play on any country or concept studied so far o Creation of A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Former and Current Communist Regimes o Socratic Seminar: Putin – President or Dictator?
 Russia Will Not Stray From Democracy’s Path - Putin and Russia foreign agent law imperils democracy o Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o Drouzhinin, Alexei. RIANovosti : “Russia Will Not Stray from Democracy’s Path -
Putin.” 5 April 2013. o Hauss, Chapter 8: Current and Former Communist Regimes o Hauss, Chapter 9: Russia o Lally, Kathy. The Washington Post : “Russia foreign agent law imperils democracy.” 26
May 2013.
o Miroshnichenko, Olga. Middle East Journal of Scientific Research : “Legitimacy in
Modern Russia,” Vol. 15, No. 5, 2013.
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Assessment o Chapter Quizzes o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Unit 6: China
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Concepts o Evolution of the People’s Republic of China including: colonialism, the Communist
Revolution, and post-Mao liberalization of the economy o Political culture and participation in China including political parties and the election process o What it means to be a member of the Communist Party o Examination of a single-party state system and the role of the citizen (political institutions, citizens, and society) o Power of the government versus ability of the people to express dissent o
Public policy in China including social, economic, and foreign policy
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Activities o Assign World Summit o Discussion TED Talks Martin Jacques: Understanding the Rise of China o Discussion TED Talks Michael Anti: Behind the Great Firewall of China o Socratic Seminar: ME Generation
 China’s One Child Policy, Little Emperors, and The War on Baby Girls o Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o Chandler, Clay. CNN Money , “Little Emperors.” 4 October 2004. o Fitzpatrick, Laura. Time Magazine , “China’s One Child Policy.” 27 July 2009. o Hauss, Chapter 10: China o The Economist . “The War on Baby Girls.” 4 March 2010.
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Assessment o Chapter Quizzes o Case Study Essay and discussion o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Unit 7: Iran
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Concepts o Iranian political institutions, citizens, and society
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o Classifications: Sunni v. Shiite, Persia v. Iran, Women o
Evolution of the Iranian state including: colonialism, Iranian Revolution, post-revolution theocracy o
Political culture and participation including political parties and election process o Examination of a theocratic state and the role of the citizen o
Power of the government versus the ability of Iranians to express dissent
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Internet censorship
 Choice limitations o
Public policy in Iran including: US relations, gender, and economy o
Current issues in Iran including: gender equality, fundamentalism, and regime legitimacy
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Activities o
Hold MUC o
Socratic Seminar: Freedom of Choice and Expression
 TED Talks Barry Schwartz: The Paradox of Choice, RSA Animate Video: The
Internet in Society – Empowering or Censoring Citizenship, and Iran’s Censors
Tighten Grip o
Weekly Current Events Update
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Readings o
Fassihi, Farnaz. The Wall Street Journal , “Iran’s Censors Tighten Grip.” 16 March 2012. o Hauss, Chapter 13: Iran
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Assessment o Chapter Quizzes o Comparative Public Policy Essay o Exam – multiple choice and free response
Globalization Essay
Historically, states were the most important actors on the world stage; however, globalization has given rise to other important entities. International organizations and multinational corporations have grown in influence. (Unit 3)
Essay Prompt:
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Assess the impact of international organizations and multinational corporations on the quality of life in developing states
 Define “quality of life”
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Describe and explain international organizations and MNCs – this paper is NOT about NGOs
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Be sure to address the impact on citizens and NOT the state
Essay Requirements:
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4-5 pages, double spaced, MLA formatting
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Support broad statements with specific examples
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Bibliography with minimum 4 sources one of which MUST be the Globalization Briefing Paper
Case Study Essays
As the course moves into a unit on each of these LDCs: Mexico, Nigeria, and China, students will write an essay on issues facing each. In class, students will hold a round table discussion on their individual research. (Units 2, 4, 6)
Essay Prompt:
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Select one issue that greatly impacts a segment of the population (i.e. women, children, low income, AIDS patients, etc.) o Explain why the situation may be defined as an “issue” (what is problematic)
 Who thinks it is an issue? Who doesn’t think it is an issue?
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 Who cares about this issue on a global scale (meaning people not directly affected)? o What has been the government response? This may be inaction or may include specific policy remedies. o Future prospects: Is the government response effective? What is the likelihood that the issue will be resolved? Explain your answer. o Compare and contrast the issue, resolution of the issue, or concern expressed by one or more of the following states: UK, Russia, or US
Essay Requirements:
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3-4 pages double spaced using MLA formatting
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Strong, analytical thesis statement
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Bibliography with a minimum 4 credible sources
Round Table Discussion Requirements:
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Respectfully listens to others and participates in discussion
Comparative Public Policy Essay
Individually, students will write a well researched report that compares a particular public policy within at least 3 case study states. For example, “economic and political equality of women” can be researched in terms of its application in Nigeria, Iran, and UK. (Unit 7)
Essay Prompt:
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Description of the policy as it written in each state
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How is the policy enforced/applied and functions in each state? o How do these policies compare and contrast with each other?
Essay Requirements:
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5-7 pages, double spaced using MLA formatting
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Assessment of the sources used to gather information by providing an annotated bibliography minimum 4 sources
MUC (Model UN Conference)
4 th Quarter
Students will select a state and a topic from preselected options. They will research their state and complete the following steps:
1.
Complete a Country Report
2.
Prepare a 3-5 minute Policy Speech
3.
Opening session – presentation of position policy speeches
4.
Committees and Draft Resolution
5.
Debate session with voting
Presentation Requirements:
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5-7 minutes
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Annotated bibliography with minimum 5 sources due to teacher at time of presentation
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Clearly and knowledgably present on current issues/events including: o What is each issue/event? (present on 2-4) o Who is involved? o Why it matters? o What is currently being done to address each?
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Each partner must participate
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May use notes but NO reading from a paper
Conference Participation:
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Attentive audience member who takes notes and asks questions
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Positively contributes to discussion as described above
LPHS Social Studies 2014-15: AP Comp. Govt . 8 of 9

(Detach Here)
Please read this entire document and contact me if you have any questions. Complete the section below, and return just this portion to Ms. Zirbel the next class period to received credit for this assignment. Place the rest of this document at the start of your class binder. Please also read through the student handbook for more information about school-wide policies.
I, ______________________________, have carefully read, understand, and agree to abide by
(Student Name) all of the policies and expectations listed in this disclosure document.
Student Signature: __________________________________ Date: _________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________ Date: _________________
LPHS Social Studies 2014-15: AP Comp. Govt . 9 of 9