High School Comparative Politics - Session 3

In this 8 week flex course, students will examine the political history, political institutions, and political culture of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
Powerpoint led videos will be posted weekly to the classroom for students to view and take notes on.  Some videos will utilize independent note taking, while others will have a worksheet study guide to complete as they listen and learn.
Students will receive outside homework and quizzes via the class discussion stream to help reinforce class lessons and solidify the information they are learning.  An end of session evaluation will be provided to parents for your student's portfolio/records.
Students will be asked to contribute twice weekly to thought discussions initiated by the instructor in the class stream.  Participating in these conversations as a contributor and recipient of ideas and opinions is a way to grow critical thinking skills and see beyond our own world.
Students will work collaboratively on a "World Leaders Project".  Each student will be assigned a leader from the United Kingdom, France, or Germany.  They will gather information (as directed by the instructor) and will present the information in a video to their peers.  This information will be necessary for the students to complete an end of session project assignment.

The following is an outline of what will be covered in the 8 weeks:


United Kingdom - Monarchy to a Parliamentary Framework (Weeks 1, 2, 3)
-Students will explore the history of diminishing power of the monarchy in the United Kingdom.
-Students will explore the present day institutions and electoral procedures of England.

France - Revolution to Republics to the  Presidential-Parliamentary Framework (Weeks 4, 5, 6)
-Students will explore the evolution of democracy in France from the Revolution to the Fifth Republic
-Students will explore France under the leadership of de Gaulle, Pompidou, Giscard, and Mitterand
-Students will analyze and debate the advantages and disadvantages of France's strong executive under the presidential-parliamentary system
-Students will explore the present day political institutions and electoral procedures of France

Germany - Authoritarianism to a Stable Democracy (Weeks 7 and 8)
-Students will explore the circumstances that delayed a stable democracy in Germany and led to a nation under the authoritarian rule of Adolf Hitler
-Students will explore Germany's post World War 2 political institution that were intentionally designed to prevent a repeat of their tragic past
-Students will explore the present day political institutions and electoral procedures of Germany

Students should have the ability to do basic writing in order to take notes and do class worksheets.  The age range for this class is 14-18 year olds and is best geared towards high school age students.

Though not required, it is helpful to have taken my flex courses, High School Comparative Politics - Session 1 and 2, prior to enrolling in this class.  Additional sessions of this class will be offered leading to it culminating in a full and complete comparative politics course.  Students are encouraged to enroll in High School Comparative Politics - Session 4 which will focus on the political institutions, culture, and history of South Africa and Nigeria.