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AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS ALCERRECA

SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The AP Comparative Government and Politics course is a traditional college-level introduction to the comparative study of state

systems and their political components. This effective, one-semester course gives students a critical perspective on the working of

these government systems. The work involves the study of political science theory and methodology as well as the analysis of

specific countries. The five models include Great Britain, Russia, the People’s Republic of China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran.

OFFICE HOURS

Tues, Wed, Thurs. – 7:45 – 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 – 4:00 p.m. in W001. Other times may be scheduled with me.

E – mail address - alcerrh@hpisd.org

REQUIRED TEXTS

1. Almond, Gabriel Abraham and G. Bingham Powell, eds. Comparative Politics Today. Harper Collins, 2003.

2. AP Comparative Government and Politics: A Study Guide 2nd Edition. Ethel Wood, Woodyard Publications. $20 paid to

HPHS. It will be ordered by me.

COURSE REQUIRMENTS

Grading categories will consist of the following:

40% - class discussions, journal entries, class assignments, quizzes, etc.

60% - tests, major projects, essays

CLASS DISCUSSIONS

Since a large part of this course revolves around class discussions and debates, it is essential that the student remain up to date on

the assigned readings from the text and other supplementary articles. The student is also required to keep up to date on the

current political arena of each country. Each student is expected to participate in class discussions. You are expected to develop

informed opinions and to defend them in class discussions.

JOURNAL/PRECIS PAPER

Each six weeks, you will be required to turn in a one page summary/analysis journal entry based on the concepts in Chapters 1 -7.

All articles will come from the periodical The Economist. These articles cannot be older than two years. The complete instructions

and rubric/grading scale will be given in class or placed on MOODLE.

TESTS/FREE RESPONSE

Unit tests and free response writings will mirror the AP Exam.

Unit tests consist of multiple choice questions.

Free Responses will usually be given along with the Unit Tests. The questions are similar to those given on the AP Exam.

They will be graded according to their corresponding rubric.

Each free response is a separate test grade from the unit tests.

MAJOR PROJECTS

There will be a major project assigned each six weeks. Instructions and rubrics will be given each six weeks.

ALL PROJECTS ARE DUE ON THE ASSIGNED DUE DATE. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED

WITHOUT PENALTY, EVEN IF YOU ARE ABSENT ON THE DUE DATE.

o 1 DAY LATE = 10 POINTS OFF

o 2 DAYS LATE = 20 POINTS OFF

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PARTICIPATION GRADES

These are based primarily on class discussions and debates, some daily assignments, current events readings, and other

items.

Participation may also include a notebook check of important handouts such as terms and definitions, short quizzes, major

reading handouts, etc.

HPHS AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT BEHAVIORIAL POLICIES

TARDIES/ABSENCES

A student is tardy if they are not in the room AT THE MOMENT the bell rings. A tardy is unexcused unless I deem it

excused. Discussion on tardies will be conducted during office hours. 3 tardies equal one unexcused

absence which will eliminated exemption status.

Excessive tardies will create detentions during YOUR off period or lunch.

Daily participation grades may also be forfeited on the day of the tardy.

ABSENCES on the day prior to an assigned quiz, test, or free response WILL NOT excuse the student from taking the quiz,

test, or free response.

It is important to ALWAYS NOTIFY teacher of absences that are known ahead of time. Do this within 48 hours of absence

and arrange for make-ups PRIOR to your absence.

ALSO NOTIFY teacher on date of absence that are not known ahead of time. This will allow for immediate notification

from teacher with day’s assignments.

MAKE-UPS/LATE WORK/EARLY WORK

Arrange to complete your make-up work within 3 days of your absence. Extensions may be provided based on

circumstances. E-mailing teacher on day of absence will take care of this issue.

Some daily assignments or quizzes will not have make-up privileges.

All work is DUE at the BEGINNING of the period, on the day it is due. Failure to follow through will cause points

to be taken off your LATE work. EXTENDED or MAJOR PROJECTS must be turned in on the day they are

due, EVEN if student IS ABSENT on DUE DAY.

Penalties on late work will be based on the following scale:

o Late on same day = 5 pts. Off

o 1 day late = 10 pts off

o 2 days late = 20 pts. Off

o 3 or more = 25 pts. Off

Assignments may be turned in early at least 2 days prior to due date, for extra points on major tests. I will determine

which projects or assignments can be turned in early for extra points and how many extra points will be given.

AP EXAM

The government AP Exam will be held on May 15, 2015, Friday at 8:00 a.m.

There will be scheduled Reviews in the Spring for the AP Exam. You will need to make

time to attend as many reviews as possible.

The student is required to take the exam per school board policy.

The student will be required to complete the exam in order to retain their semester exam

exemption status in the Fall and the Spring Semesters.