AP Comparative Government Part Two

Note: This is the second part of a year long Advanced Placement Comparative Government Class.  Student must take Part One in some capacity to continue on with Part Two.  
Suggested Pre-requisite:  AP United States Government Part One and Two or a very strong government class.  You are welcome to take AP Government at the same time you are taking Comparative.    Instructor also offers one to one instruction if you prefer private over group lessons. As a class we will prepare for the exam in May by creating portfolios, and researching six different countries in order to compare and contrast their political system with that of the United States.

Course Description 

Comparative Government is a college level political science course that provides students with: 
A concrete understanding of the scientific method behind political comparison, a well-developed sense of political theory, and a “real world” understanding of global studies through specific analysis of 6 different political entities. We are currently starting Unit Four for Part II.

Throughout the course students will be learning the process that political scientists use to analyze and evaluate political systems, and then applying that process to the case studies.  Upon completion of the Comparative Government class, students will be equipped to understand and evaluate current geo-political issues in an informed manner, and will have developed the tools and methodology to understand and evaluate geo-political issues that will arise in the future. 

Overview:  
Unit One Introduction (Chapters 1-7) 
Unit Two:  Britain and European Union 
Unit Three:  Mexico
Unit Four:  Russian Federation 
Unit Five:  People’s Republic of China
Unit Six:  Islamic Republic of Iran 
Unit Seven:  Nigeria 
Unit Eight:  The United States a Global Perspective 

Course Objectives 
-Students successfully completing this course will be able to: 
-Define and describe major comparative political concepts 
-Support generalizations with relevant factual information pertaining to the  
       Governments and politics of China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia 
-Analyze typical patterns of political processes and behavior and  
        their consequences 
-Compare and contrast political institutions and processes across countries 
-Analyze and interpret basic data relevant to comparative government and politics 

 
Text:  Comparative Politics Today, AP 9th Edition, Gabriel Almond and Bingham Powell,   
           editors. 
Supplemental Readings :  The AP Comparative Government and Politics Examination:  What you need to know, 6th Edition, Wedding.