Advanced Placement Government and Politics (U.S. & Comparative) 2014-2015 Syllabus Mrs. Barton, Dominion High School Course Description Today’s increasingly interdependent world has made it necessary for students to think globally. It is imperative for young citizens to understand political processes and political events not just from our own country, but from a diversity of countries around the world. To gain understanding of international events we must examine political structures and perspectives of other nations and how they compare, affect, and interact with one another. Comparisons assist both in identifying problems and in analyzing policymaking. Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics along with Advanced Placement Comparative Government provides a yearlong course on government. We focus on the United States along with six core comparative countries: the United Kingdom, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran. Objectives: Students successfully completing this course will: Be encouraged to get involved in the political process and our government Be introduced to the basics of American national government and develop an analytical perspective. Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to U.S. and Comparative government and politics Be able to describe and be able to use for analytical purposes the major comparative political concepts, themes, and generalizations Be able to describe and analyze the government and politics of China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia Be able to describe and analyze current trends in democratization and globalization Materials Student Agenda/ Planner, Binder/loose leaf paper, dividers, Folder, pen and pencil, USB Thumb drive, glue stick/ tape, highlighters Course Texts Mark Kesselman, Joel Krieger, and William Joseph. Introduction to Comparative Politics, 6th ed. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012. (will also be available electronically) James Wilson and John DiIulio. American Government: Institutions and Policies, 8th ed. Boston, MA: Hough Mifflin Company, 2001. Supplemental Text Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 09/10 Peter Woll. American Government: Readings and Cases, 15th ed. Pearson, Longman: 2004. Online resources: The Washington Post, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, The Economist, Time, Newsweek Recommended AP Comparative Study Guide: We recommend that students purchase a copy of the A.P. Comparative Government Study Guide by Ethel Wood. This may be purchased on amazon.com for about $30. We will place a group order for the book at a price of $16.15 for the newly released 6th edition. Make a check payable to Dominion High School and bring it to me by September16 th if you would like a copy. Recommended AP U.S. Study Guide: 5 Steps to a 5 (written by an actual AP Reader.) Organization/Class Requirements Reading/ Study Questions- (Formative Assessment, checked for completion, not scored) This is a “readings” course, you will do a lot of reading and you will learn a lot of information. You are responsible for reading at home and in class. (You will be assigned a login for an online copy of the Kesselman text.) Students will be expected to read assigned chapters in both texts, as well as supplemental readings, and complete study questions. Reading Quizzes—(Formative Assessment, 2 per week, 10 points each) Students will be given quizzes upon each reading assignment. Answers to Study Questions will be able to be used on quizzes. Discussion & Response (Formative/Summative Assessment, 2-4 per quarter, 5-20 points each) In-class Seminar Discussion Students will be expected to participate in class discussions which require them to analyze and evaluate the text, supplemental reading materials, and related graphs and charts. Students will be graded on participation. Discussion may occur face to face in class, or on an Electronic Discussion Board (VISION). Students may also be asked to complete written responses, and will take practice FRQs. Quarterly Writing Assignments—(Summative Assessment, 80-100 points) 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 4th quarter students will complete a public policy paper ***The Summer Assignment will count for 60 points on the First Quarter*** Quarter Project (Summative Assessment, 1 per quarter, 25-50 points) Students will complete a technology-based project each quarter. Projects will involve course content, current events and geography to help learn about the six major countries in context with world geography and events. Technology applications may include Google Earth Tour Builder, Social Media applications like Twitter and info-graphics. Group Country Presentations (Summative Assessment, Second Semester, 40 points) Students will be assigned to a group that will represent one of the six major countries of focus in this class. Students will complete current events, compile data, and take part in a major presentation on the country to which group they have been assigned during the AP Exam Review in May. Content of the project may be assessed throughout the course as it relates to the unit of instruction. Tests—(Summative Assessment, 2-3 per quarter, 100 points) Tests will be composed of questions similar to those students can anticipate seeing on the A.P. exam including multiple choice and free response questions. I highly suggest students create and study with notecards for each unit, these notecards can be used to study for the AP Exams. Extra credit points for each test will be given to notecards that are handed in on the day of the test. ** Notecards must be handed in before the test to receive points** *Assignments will be returned to students in the following manner: Quizzes and other formative assessments (1-2 blocks), Tests (2-3 blocks), Major projects and writing assignments (2-3 weeks). Student scores will be posted to CLARITY within 2 weeks after the assignment is graded. The Exam: AP United States Exam is Tuesday, May 12th AP Comparative Exam is Thursday, May 14th The AP U.S. Government and Politics Exam is 2 hours and 25 minutes long. It includes a 45 minute multiple choice section consisting of 60 questions and a 100 minute free response section consisting of 4 questions. This exam is administered in the morning. The AP Comparative Politics Exam is 2 hours and 25 minutes long. It includes a 45 minute multiple choice section consisting of 55 questions and a 100 minute free response section consisting of 5 short answer concept questions, 1 conceptual analysis question, and 2 country context questions. Course Sequence (Based on A Day Dates) **Dates are subject to change** Date Topic Quarter 1 Foundations for the Study of Government and Politics nd September 2 Concepts we use to compare. October 31st How and why do we compare? Policy and process: What are they? Why have them? Quarter 1 Project What political and economic changes have come about as a result of globalization Current Event and how do countries respond to change? Wordle Key Dates and Assignments 9/24 Country Presentations 9/12 Test & Last day to turn in Summer Assignment 9/16 Power, Authority and Sovereignty United States Constitution and Foundations Power Structures: Federal, Unitary, Confederal Federalism in the Courts & Fiscal Federalism Key Dates and Assignments Current Events Assignment 9/24 Test 9/30 Political Culture, Political Participation & Public Opinion Policy Process Political Culture Political Ideology, Social Movements, Political Change Political Socialization, Social Cleavages, Political Polls The role of the Media in politics Key Dates and Assignments Political Socialization Essay 10/17 Test 10/21 Partnership Night Monday, November 3rd The General Election is Tuesday, November 4th Quarter 2 November 5th January 16th Linkage Institutions: Citizens in society and the state Elections Political Parties Interest Groups Quarter 2 Project Key Dates and Assignments Google Earth Tour Election Project 11/10 Builder Test 11/12 12/11 Scholarship Contest Essay 11/18 Public Policy: Political Institutions of Deliberation (Legislation) Congress: Powers and Activities Congressional Elections Policy Process: Fiscal Policy and Domestic Policy Key Dates and Assignments Project/ Quest 11/20 Test 12/5 Public Policy and Institutions of Enforcement and Executive Action Article II Bureaucracy Monetary Policy and Foreign Policy Key Dates and Assignments Current Events Assignment 12/11 Assessment due December 19th Judiciary mini unit Authority Organize of the court system Interpretations of the courts Key Dates and Assignments Assessment January 12 Midterm Review, January 12th – 16th Midterms, January 20th – 23rd nd Quarter 3 The 2 Semester Policy Paper project is divided into 7 assignments throughout the 2nd January 27th Semester. March 27th Civil Society Quarter 3 Project Democratization, Developed Democratization Social Media Civil Liberties 12/17 Civil Rights Key Dates and Assignments Source Sheet 2/4 Test 2/6 United Kingdom & European Union Power, Authority and Sovereignty Institutions Citizens, Society, and the State Political & Economic Change Key Dates and Assignments Test 2/23 Current Events 2/17 Transitional Democracies, Mexico & Nigeria Transitional Democracies and Economies, Supranational Organizations Mexico o Power, Authority and Sovereignty o Institutions o Citizens, Society, and the State o Political & Economic Change Nigeria o Power, Authority and Sovereignty o Institutions o Citizens, Society, and the State o Political & Economic Change Key Dates and Assignments Annotated Bibliography 3/3 Test 3/17 Former Communist Regimes, Authoritarian systems: China & Russia Political & Economic ideology comparisons, authoritarian systems China o Power, Authority and Sovereignty o Institutions o Citizens, Society, and the State o Political & Economic Change Key Dates and Assignments Annotated outline 3/23 China Assessment 3/25 Former Communist Regimes, Authoritarian systems: China & Russia, cont’d Russia o Power, Authority and Sovereignty o Institutions Quarter 4 Project o Citizens, Society, and the State InfoGraphic o Political & Economic Change post Exam Key Dates and Assignments Test 4/16 Rough Draft 4/20 Theocracy: Iran Theocracy, Civil Society Review Iran o Power, Authority and Sovereignty o Institutions o Citizens, Society, and the State o Political & Economic Change Key Dates and Assignments Test 4/28 Final Draft due 5/1 AP Exams begin May 4th Review 5/5, 5/7, 5/11 AP UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT EXAM 5/12 Review 5/13 AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT EXAM 5/14 Quarter 4 April 1st June 9th Post AP Exam Policy Paper Presentations Final Reflection Sunday, June 14th GRADUATION!! AP US Government & Comparative Government Syllabus Acknowledgement I have read the syllabus for AP US & Comparative Government and am aware of the class expectations and procedures. I have read the Dominion High School Academic Integrity Policy (located in the student agenda) and have reviewed it with my child. I also have been informed of the methods to contact the teacher should a concern arise. _________________________________________ Student Signature _____________ Date _________________________________________ Parent Signature _____________ Date Student Information Name: ________________________________________ Email:_________________________________________ Parent Information Name: ________________________________________ Best Phone Number: _____________________________ Parent Email: ___________________________________ Does your student have access to the internet at home? _____ Yes _____ No