apcompgovsyllabus

8/9/2019 APCompGovSyllabus

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Supplemental Texts [CR 16]

Zakaria, Fareed. The Future of Freedom.New York: W.W. Norton, 2004.

According to Zakaria, illiberal democracies are worse than authoritarian governments. He

traces the history of democracy and the success (or lack thereof) of democratizationthroughout the world. This book, which will be read in its entirety, encourages students toconsider and question their own assumptions and beliefs.

Kesselman, Mark, et al.Introduction to Comparative Politics, 4th

ed. Boston: Houghton

Mifflin, 2007.

Kesselman follows a country-centered view of comparative politics that parallels thestructure of our lessons while also reinforcing and introducing important theories and

ideas. Our one copy of his text provides a valuable reference resource.

Wood, Ethel.AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide, 2

nd

ed. Reading:Woodyard, 2005.

Woods guide provides excellent summaries of countries and reviews of concepts. It also

includes several sample multiple-choice questions and practice free response questions.

Additional Material and Student Use [CR 16]

Periodicals

Students are required to write weekly journal entries requiring a summary of andanalytical response to articles, commentaries, editorials, and policy analyses from:

Foreign Affairs

The EconomistNewsweek

U.S. News & World ReportOur Local Newspaper

The New York Times (Sunday Edition)

These publications are kept in the blue-tiered shelves and will always be available forstudent use in class or at home if checked out by me.

Websites

We will have monthly access to the computer lab. I will provide the links to websitesrelevant to our activities/assignments as they are assigned.


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AP Briefing Papers

Students will be required to read and discuss briefing papers from the College Board

(along with other articles from AP Central) as assigned in the appropriate unit:

Democratization

GlobalizationMexico

NigeriaIran

Films

Throughout the course we will watch, discuss and write responses to a variety ofdocumentary films and news programs relevant to our curriculum. These films produced

by media companies such as CNN, PBS, A & E, and The History Channel, coverhistorical background information, political issues, and news stories (and analysis)

relating to our course. Illustrative clips from feature films will also be shown.

In addition, we will occasionally watch excerpts from satirical and humorous shows asthey pertain to our topics of study. This includes partial episodes of the 1980s BBC

comedy Yes, Minister, which satirizes the power of the bureaucracys influence over thepolicymaking attempts of the elected government of Great Britain. [CR 6]

Class Planner

Unit 1 (weeks 1-5): Introduction to Comparative Politics

Globalization and Democratization [CR 1]

Why bother to compare? Purpose & Methods to Compare & Classify Globalization and the shrinking world Political conflicts: how and why do they occur? Political process and policy making [CR 4,6] Distinguishing terms: state, nation, regime, & government [CR 1] Sovereignty, authority, and power[CR 2] Citizens, Society and the State [CR 4] EU, UN, IMF and the World Bank Purposes & Paradoxes to Democracy Challenges of Democratization Key AP terms


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Readings

oSodaro TextChapter1 Comparative Politics: What It Is? Why Study It?Chapter 2 Major Topics of Comparative Politics,

Chapter 3 Critical Thinking About Politics: Analytical Techniques forPolitical Science, (excerpts)

Chapter 4 PowerChapter 7 Democracy: What is It?

Chapter 8 Democracy: Institutions and Electoral Systems [CR 3]Chapter 9 Ten Conditions of Democracy (From Summer Reading)

o AP Briefing Papers on Democratization and Globalizationo

Ethel Wood chapter on European Union (pp. 69-74)o Teacher selected articles/editorials from current periodicals

Activities

o Find and journal five additional current events articles that relate to the issueswe have studied with an emphasis on legitimacy and authority [CR 2]

o In groups of three, prepare a short presentation on one form of power that canbe exerted by a government [CR 2]

o Prepare a set of key-terms flash cards from your chapter outlineso Comparison chart on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in six core countries;

make generalizations about the power of the individual vs. the power of the

state within each society [CR 13}o End-of-unit essay analyzing the way that the ideas and theories we have

learned about in this unit can be applied to a current political issue [CR 15]

o Read ZakariasFuture of Freedom [CR 16]o Small group discussions of briefing paperso Watch film on economic changes brought about by globalizationAssessment

o Three tests (40 multiple choice, 5 short answer)o Four Practice AP Free Response Questionso Extensive essay exam on Zakarias booko Key-terms vocabulary quiz


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Unit 2 (weeks 6-8): Great Britain and Political Institutions

British democracy then and now [CR 8] Roots of Constitutionalism Evolution of political parties [CR 5]

Parliament, elections and the British political process [CR 8] Conflict with Northern Ireland [CR 5, 8] Britain and the European Union; Evolution of Britain/EU relations [CR 5] Political Issues in Todays Britain [CR 8] Comparison of Election Procedures and Political Institutions [CR 3,13]

Readings:

o Sodaro TextChapter 5 The State and Its InstitutionsChapter 15 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

o Primary Source: Churchill, Thatcher, & Blair speeches [CR 16}o Teacher selected articles from The Economiston the transition from

Tony Blair to Gordon Brown

Activities

o In groups of three, create an illustrated chart or diagram that compares andcontrasts the democratic institutions of Great Britain and the UnitedStates, with emphasis on presidential vs. parliamentary system [CR 13]

o Student selected articles/editorials for journals with at least one each on1) devolution and Scotland &

2) the EU and national sovereignty

o Formal classroom debate:Should Great Britain convert their pound to the Euro? [CR 8,14]

o End-of-unit essay tracing the history of the Northern Ireland conflict, itscurrent state, and projecting into its future. [CR 14, 15]

o Prime Ministers Question Hourtaped from C-SPAN [CR 16]o Writing response: How does Great Britain recruit elites for leadership?o Selected scenes from 1970 film Cromwell, starring Richard Harris and

Alec Guinness (known by many as Dumbledore & Obi-Wan Kenobi)o Country Groups assigned for presentations during week the before finals.

First task: Comparative Institutions Diagram Executive, Legislative,Judiciary, Bureaucracies, Military, etc. [CR 3]

o Scenes from Yes, MinisterorYes, Prime Minister


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Assessment

o 50 question multiple choice test, plus an in class essay analyzing the fall ofCommunism [CR 12,15]

oWeekly current events quizzes [CR 16]

o Two AP Free Response Questionso Take Home Essay on Citizens, Society and the State; must address the

topics of civil society, cleavages, political participation (including protestand violence) [CR 15]

o Discussion using student diagrams of the continuum of political systemsfrom democratic to authoritarian (include distinct and defining

characteristics of each); Refer to Sodaro p. 21 [CR 13]

Unit 4 (weeks 11-12): China, Political Ideology, and Political Economy

Maoism and the Cultural Revolution [CR 5, 7] Institutions, policy-making, & policy implementation in China Belief-systems, stability, and legitimacy Political participation {CR 4, 7] Understanding Chinas policies toward Taiwan, Hong Kong, & Tibet Trends and types of economic change including privatization [CR 5] Opportunities & Obstacles to Democratization in China

Readings

o Sodaro TextChapter 12 Ideology

Chapter 13 Political Economy (Review from Summer Reading)Chapter 20 China

Activities

o Create a chart comparing and contrasting Chinas brand of Communismwith Russias [CR 13]

o Group activity to illustrate the left-right spectrum of ideology fromanarchism to fascism; Refer to Sodaro p. 291

o Three videos on contemporary China analyzing the economic, political,and religious challenges and changes facing their government [CR 7]

o Continue Journals with at least one article about 1) Chinas investment inNigeria and/or Mexico, 2) Local/Village conflicts and protests againstpublic policies such as the one-child rule. [CR 6]

o Spring Break Trip to China (Beijing, Xian, & Shanghai)


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Assessment

o 40 question multiple choice test, plus an in-class essay analyzing theemergence of capitalism in China [CR 15]

o Weekly current-events quizzeso Two AP Free Response Questionso Brief research paper on contemporary Chinese culture oro A cultural diary to be kept by students participating in China trip

Unit 5 (weeks 13-14): Mexico, Linkage Institutions, & Political Participation

The changing landscape of Mexican politics [CR 10]

Revolutionary roots of Mexico The dominance of the PRI Patron-clientelism & corporatist structure & public policy The PAN and Vincente Fox [CR 4] Outlook for Mexicos future: legitimacy and the 2006 election Linkage Institutions and Change [CR 2,3] Political Parties and Factions [CR 4]

Readings

o Sodaro TextChapter 21 Mexico and Brazil (pp. 628-658 Mexico only)

Chapter 10 People and Politics: Voters, Parties, Interest Groups,Dissidence and Revolution

o AP Briefing Paper on Mexico

Activities

o Partner assignment comparing and analyzing the election results of the2000 and 2006 presidential election [CR 10]

o Journal articles focusing on recent political unrest, Mexicos economy,and challenges with both emigration and immigration [CR 10]

o Class discussions on 1) the intent and outcomes of NAFTA and2) The Chiapas conflict

Assessment

o Multiple Choice and short answer test


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o Two AP Free response Questions

Unit 6 (week 15): Nigeria & The Politics of Development

Colonialism and Civil War[CR 5, 11] Dictatorship: stability at a price [CR 11] The Legacy of Obasanjo Political and Economic Change in Nigeria [CR 5, 11] Less Developed & Newly Developing Industrialized Countries:

The roles of the citizens, society, and the state [CR 4]

Public Policy: Oil, Corruption, Poverty, & TerrorismReadings

oSodaro TextChapter 22 Nigeria and South Africa (p.686-705 Nigeria only)

Chapter 14 The Politics of Development

o AP Briefing Paper onNigeriaActivities

o Groups of three study, compare and present their diagrams of thecleavages affecting Nigeria and either Mexico or China or Russia

o Journal articles on oil and the recent elections in Nigeria [CR 16]o Essay comparing the controversial elections of Umaru Yar'Adua in

Nigeria and Felipe Calderon in Mexico [CR13, 15]

Assessment

o Multiple Choice and short answer testo Two AP Free Response Questions

Unit 7 (week 16): Iran

Political Institutions: Theocracy and the role of Islam Iran Under the Shah and the role of the United States Khomeini, the Iranian Revolution and Legitimacy Who has authority and who wields power in Iran? [CR 2,3] Contemporary Issues regarding Iran, the U.N. & the U.S. Nuclear Power & Nuclear Weapons in Iran Contemporary Challenges and Changes in Iran [CR 9]


10/12

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Readings

o Sodaro Text ExcerptsIran-Iraq War (pp. 97-99)

Power and Conflict in Iran (pp. 107-111)Iran as a Theocracy (pp. 108-111)

Islamic Resistance to Democracy (pp. 288-289)

o AP Briefing Paper onIrano Ethel Wood Chapter on Iran (pp. 181-206)

Activities

o Students will read and discuss selected articles and analysis on Iran fromrecent issues The EconomistandNewsweek

o Two films on: the 1979 Islamic Revolution and a 2006 interview withPresident Ahmadinejad [CR 9,16]

o Partner activity on the judiciary, the religious hierarchy, andSharia and qanun law [CR 3]

o Essay comparing the role of oil as a commodity in Iran and either Nigeria,Mexico, or Russia [CR 9, 11]

o Complete Final Journal entries by focusing on articles covering Iranscontemporary political changes including the demographic shift to ayounger population [CR 5]

Assessment

o Multiple Choice and short answer testo Two AP Free response Questions

Unit 8 (weeks 17-18): Final comparisons, Review, & Practice AP Tests

Final Project Presentation Prepare for AP Comparative Government & Politics Exam

Readings

o Review material as needed


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Activities

oGroup data analysis posters (literacy, voting, economic growth) [CR 14]

o Group discussion comparing leadership transitions in different countrieso Write a two-page interpretation of one selection fromForeign Affairso Jigsaw Group discussion (with one representative from each country

group) using CIA World Factbook data to compare economic sectors of all

six core countries [CR 13]

Assessment

o Full Practice AP examo Saturday Final Exam for three hour block

Expectations

As you can see, this course requires dedication and hard work from you as a student andpreparation and constant feedback from me as a teacher. You will be expected to keep up

with the readings and complete the assignments and projects in a timely manner. Youwill be expected to write analytical essay responses frequently and short summaries or

interpretations of our lessons daily.

We will complete a number of projects both short-term and semester long. I haveattached a short group activity example from Unit 3 to give you a concrete idea of a

typical assignment.

I will lecture at least once a week but our main interaction will be through class and smallgroup discussions in which you are expected to knowledgeably participate. The reading

material can be quite challenging but will grow more understandable and accessible asour course progresses, assuming you exert the necessary effort and time.

I look forward to an insightful and enlightening year with all of you


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Unit 3 Comparative Gov & Pol

Russia/Former Soviet Union

Lab Activity

Your goal today is to gain more knowledge of one political turning point in modern

Russian/Soviet history and present your findings. The following topics are available:

1. 1979 --- Invasion of Afghanistan; history of this war and theeventual Soviet withdrawal.

2. 1980-1982 --- Solidarity Movement in Poland and its impact on theSoviets.

3. 1985 --- Gorbachev is Secretary of the CPSU: perestroika, glasnost& demokratizatsiia.

4. 1986 --- Chernobyl disaster; short and long-term effects.5. 1989 --- Collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe.6. 1990 --- Gorbachev elected Soviet president; Yeltsin elected

chairman of Russian Congress & resigns from CPSU.

7. 1991 --- Yeltsin elected president of Russia; attempted coup ofGorbachevs government (opposed by Yeltsin); USSRdissolved!

8. 1992 --- Creation of Russian Federation; joins IMF; shock therapyand privatization vouchers.

9. 1994 --- Russian army to Chechnya.10.1998 --- Economic collapse.11.1999-2000 --- Yeltsin resigns; Putin elected Russian president.12.2001-2002 --- Putins Presidency.13.2002-2004 --- Ukraine; Chechen terrorism.

Directions: With 1-2 partners, take notes on the most important events for your

topic and their impact on Soviet/Russian government, especially its stability and

legitimacy. Note your Internet sources and discuss the topic with your partner.

Then plan a PowerPoint presentation for the class. More details later.

The following websites, in addition to your own searches, will be helpful as you

get started:

CIA World FactBook: Russia (Statistics and general facts)

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rs.html

World History Timelinehttp://www.hyperhistory.com/online_n2/History_n2/a.html

School Library Page: Electronic Library, Reference Sources, etc.

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