NPR on Afghanistan and Hong Kong

Afghanistan Link

Hong Kong Link

Reading the chapters

Turn to page 30. Read 1: The Making of the Modern State

Summarize how the author organizes this section

Turn to page 95. Read Critical Junctures. I will assign you an era to read and report on in small groups

Supreme Court visit

Read the brief on the following website:

State v. Delong

Russia vs UK on Democracy

Pick up the in class handout: Appendix A
    fill out the chart using the following website : Freedomhouse.org

Complete the chart for both the UK and Russia

Respond to the following:
      Agree or disagree: The Russian system of electing its president in more democratic than the UK system of selecting its prime minister.

Use the information on the charts discussed in class. (Appendix B/C teacher has these)

Due Tuesday 9/23

Campaign Financing

We are currently watching the Frontline program "Big Sky, Big Money"  You can watch it by clicking HERE

We will have a debate in class next week on whether or not campaign spending should be limited and in what ways.

LINKS TO DEBATE STARTERS
    youdebate.com
    citizenjoe
    debate.org

Page 463 of the text outlines the fundamental arguments on both sides.

For Wednesday 9/24) you will need to have 5 arguments on both sides of the fight (including ways to limit spending)

You also need to define/answer the following:

1. What are PACs? (478)

           1.A Name 2 PACs and political candidates they support (Dem or Rep or other) How much have
            they contributed?

2.What is a caucus? (464) Are they more or less democratic than a nominating convention?

3.What is a primary election and what are the (2) types? (465)

4.How many states held primaries in 2012? Click HERE for a chart

5.Why are the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire primary 2 of the most important events of the primary season?

6.How much money did the campaigns of Obama and Romney spend leading up to the general election in 2012?

            6. AHow much money was spent by outside private groups (PACs and 501c4s) during the same period?

7. What is Citizens United?  What effect has the ruling had on campaign finance?

Scottish Referendum

Scottish referendum in quotes

Scottish referendum live

FPTP and Single Member Disrticts

Watch the following video and discuss the pros and cons of FPTP and PR

Consequences of FPTP elections

Proportional Representation

Current Events

Sign up in class for a day to present current events
You need to choose 3 articles to share with the class
Two of the articles must be on the current country we are discussing in class.

Current Events Requirements
Current Events Questions

*You are responsible for knowing the date of your presentation.  If you are unable to present on your assigned date, you must let me know one week in advance.

Choose one of the following to articles to read answer the "current events questions"

Scottish Referendum
Hong Kong Democracy

General Knowledge Quiz

Working in groups of 4 attempt to complete the government quiz.  Then go out into the community and conduct your own interviews to find out just what people know.

You will need the handout from class.  We will discuss the results of your interviews on Tuesday (9/9)

Dem or Rep? Take the Quiz

Be sure to pay to attention to all the options these websites have to see which party you are more like fiscally and socially.  Think back on which questions (and how you answered) affected these out comes.  How accurately do you feel these questions captured how you really feel?

Go to QUIZ

and

Go to QUIZ #2

and

GO to QUIZ #3

Syllabus

Advanced Placement

Comparative Government and Politics

Course Syllabus

Course Description

This comparative government and politics course takes a country-by-country approach with heavy emphasis on cross-country conceptual comparisons.  The first unit of study focuses on concepts, vocabulary, theory, and the same theoretical framework we will use to analyze each of the six countries and the EU.  Students are required to constantly think back to countries studied previously to compare institutions, political systems including parties and elections, economic development and levels of democracy.

Textbooks

Kesselman, Introduction to Comparative Politics, 6^th edition. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012

Patrick O’Neil. Essentials of Comparative Politics. New York: W.W Norton, 2004

Christian Soe, Comparative Politics.  McGraw Hill, 2005

Current event articles form the Economist, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post are introduced on a regular basis

AP website supplements including briefing papers on democratization and Globalization

Course Outline

Unit I

Introduction: Concepts in comparative government and key terms

            The course provides instruction on the following key concepts:

-       Sovereignty, Authority, and Power

-       Political and Economic change

-       Citizens, Society, and the State

-       Political Institutions

-       Public Policy

-       Nations, States, and Nation-States

(Assessment is based on previous AP test FRQ prompts and multiple choice questions) Later we apply each of these concepts to the (6) countries and EU covered on the AP exam.

As the semester progresses students compare and contrast the political systems of the 6 countries studied in comparative politics.  Students use tables and data comparing freedom scores along with the online resource <gapminder.com> to define liberal vs illiberal democracies through the analysis of data and elections procedures.  Students write about and discuss why each country received the rating and propose policy changes that would move the country toward a more liberal democracy.

Readings:

-       Kesselman chapter 1 “Introducing Comparative Politics”

-                   Includes lectures and discussions on sovereignty, power and    authority, institutions, economy

-       O’Neill, Chapter 10 “Globalization”

-       Democratization Briefing Paper

-       Globalization Briefing Paper

-       Soe: readings from Unit 5: Comparative Politics: Some Trends, Issues, and Prospects

-                   “The Global State of Democracy”

-                   “Cultural Explanations: The Man in the Baghdad Café”

-                   “Jihad vs. McWorld”

-       Current Events on key comparative concepts and the 6 countries

Unit II

Mexico:  Transitional Democracy, Presidential and Federal system

Readings:

            -Kesselman chapter 5 “Mexico”

                        - Includes lectures and discussions on sovereignty, power and                                         authority, institutions, economy

            -O’Neill, Chapter 9, “Less Developed and Newly Industrializing Countries”

-         Soe: “Mexico at an Impasse”

Unit III

Britain:  Consolidated Democracy: Unitary, Parliamentary System

Readings:

-       Kesselman chapter 2 “Britain”

-       O’Neill chapter 7 “Advanced Democracies”

-       Soe “Pluralist Democracies: Country Studies”

Unit IV

European Union

Readings:

-       Kesselman Chapter 9

-       Soe

-                   “ A Survey of Europe”

-                   “European Union Reform: After 5 Days, a Yawn”

-                   “Europe’s Love-Hate Affair With Foreigners”

-       Current Events updates from The Economist and New York Times

Unit V

Russia: Transitional Democracy

Readings:

-       Kesselman chapter 4 “The Russian Federation”

-       O’Neil, Chapter 8 “Communism and Post-Communism”

-       Soe

-                   “Putin Gambles on Raw Power

-                   “Ten Myths About Russia: Understanding and Dealing with Russia’s                  Complexity and Ambiguity”

Unit VI

Nigeria: Transitional Democracy

Readings:

-       Kesselman chapter 6 “Nigeria”

-       Iran Briefing paper

-       Current events articles

Unit VII

Iran: Authoritarian regime

Readings:

-       Kesselman chapter 7 “Iran”

-       Iran briefing paper

-       Current events and Nuclear Issues

Unit VIII

China: Authoritarian Regime

Readings:

-       Kesselman chapter 8 “China”

-       Soe: “China: the Quiet Revolution”

                     “ The Emperor is Far Away”

Teaching Strategies

Lecture and discussion will make up the bulk of instruction.  Much of the lecture and discussion will be student led.  I assign groups tasks and sub topics, such as UK political parties, which they must research and introduce to the class.  Students are also responsible for presenting current events relating to the countries and themes studied in this class.

Student Evaluation

Multiple choice quizzes and tests at the end of each unit. (20%)

Free response questions that focus on definitions, concepts and country-context at the end of each unit. (20%)

2 research papers on the European Union and China (20%)

Homework and in-class assignments including current events (40%)

Specific Requirements for the European Union Paper

For the paper on the European Union you may choose to write on how the EU has changed economic conditions regionally and internationally or you may choose to specialize on how a specific country has responded to the issues presented by the evolving currency  and trade policies.  In either case you should attempt to draw upon several sources with different perspectives.  The paper should be between two and three typed pages with no less than 4 sources.  Include an MLA formatted bibliography with a brief critique of bias and credibility of each source.

Requirements of China Paper

Write a 3-4 page report on a specific topic relating to China.  Your paper must address the following:

1)   Explain why the situation may be defined as an “issue.”  Include different viewpoints and any relevant terms.

2)   Reactions by the government including policy and investment

3)   Future prospects:  What is the likelihood that the issue will be resolved and explain your answer?  Discuss how the situation both impacts and is impacted by world opinion.

Sample research topics

-       Political/economic corruption

-       Recent elections/prospects for future elections

-       Political participation of women and minority groups

-       Current reformist movements

-       Relationship to supranational organizations (United Nations, OPEC, WTO, others)

-       Ethnic/religious conflicts

-       National debt/economic instability

-       Educational issues (access in rural areas)

-       Environmental issues (impact on health policy)

Volunteer Service Experience

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." 
Mahatma Ghandhi

"It is more blessed to give than to receive."  
Acts 20:35

"Life's most urgent and persistent question is: what are you doing for others?" 
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"My country is the world and my religion is to do good." 
Thomas Paine

"The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it." 
Norman Schwarkzopf

"There’s no delight in owning anything unshared."  
Seneca

I am requiring all of my seniors to complete 16 hours of community service this semester. 4 of these hours must be directly related to campaigns and the political process. The chairpersons of the Democratic and Republican parties will be linking all of you with various local and state campaigns. More information to come but these hours will need to be fulfilled this Sept. and Oct. The remaining 12 hours can be made up in any variety of ways.  Many of you have already given your time through various organizations like church groups or clubs.  If you have connections you would like to continue to serve then your searching is over.  For those who don't know where to begin I will show you and lead you most of the way.You have 3 goals:

    1. Find an organization(s) you respect and make contact with the volunteer coordinator
    2. Commit to at least 12 total hours service (making plans means taking care of logistics)
    3. Follow through, record the date, # hours, organization, event(s) with very brief description, and supervisor signature

Grading: You must complete 16 volunteer hours to receive an A in this course regardless of your percentage in the class at semester.  
    1. Fill out and turn in a complete and signed volunteer record sheet. (In class handout)
    2. Write a 5 paragraph persuasive argument in favor of your organization receiving $100 donation from the school.  The wining organization, as voted on by your classmates, will receive a $100 donation in your name or that of your choosing.

    The following website is a good place to begin searching for an organization.  

    Volunteer Connect

    Click on the volunteer opportunities link.  You can filter your search by clicking on specific key words in the right hand column.  Pay attention to the age requirements.

I am looking for 10 students to form a leadership fundraising team.  In place of 16 hours of volunteer service, you will plan and coordinate fundraising events for a senior project.  The funds you raise will go towards a gift, from the class of 2015, to future Summit High students and the community.  I ultimately reserve the right, like the Senate, of approving all leadership team nominations :)