Course Syllabus
Syllabus AP Comparative Government & Politics, One Semester
Welcome
Welcome to AP Comparative Politics & Government! We’re so glad you’re here.
Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.
To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.
As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.
We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community!
Pacing
This 16-week semester course has been designed so that--on average--you will be completing about one lesson each week, with additional time allotted for exams and special projects.
Plan to devote about one hour each weekday to this class, just as you would for one class period in a physical school building, plus some extra “homework” time for bigger assignments as needed.
Unlike other asynchronous courses you may have taken online, AP semester courses have due dates and deadlines that you will need to follow. Pay close attention to the course calendar and establish a routine early that works best for you. Then, pace yourself by setting targeted, attainable, and manageable goals each day. Planning ahead, balance, and routine will be your best friends!
AP - Participation
Participation in online discussions (e.g., discussion forums, chats, group projects, and/or instructor conferences) is expected and will factor into your overall course grade.
All online discussions described in course lesson pages are required unless your instructor notes otherwise. Your instructor may also arrange additional required chats or instructor conferences. Be sure to regularly check the course calendar and announcements from your instructor regarding upcoming discussions and requirements.
Your participation in required online discussions will be evaluated on criteria such as frequency, timeliness, thoughtfulness and effort, and overall contribution to the knowledge base and learning experience of your classmates. You are also expected to monitor and respond to posts on discussion threads that you have started or have previously contributed to; you should not simply make a post and consider the discussion “done,” because it should be an ongoing conversation with your peers and/or instructor.
Postings that begin new discussion forum threads will be reviewed based on their relevance, demonstrated understanding of course concepts, examples cited, and overall quality. Postings that respond to other students’ posts will be evaluated based on relevance, the degree to which they extend discussions, and tone. This may entail asking a question or comparing and/or contrasting your classmate’s post with your own.
In order to earn full credit for discussion forum participation, your posts and responses must be substantive. In other words, you will not earn credit for just replying "Good post" or "I agree" to a classmate.
AP - Late Work and Absences
Work must be turned in on time for full credit. If you are unable to complete an assignment on time, contact your instructor immediately. Prior permission from the online course instructor must be obtained for special circumstances to receive credit for late work. These decisions will be made on an individual basis.
You must notify your instructor if you expect to be offline for more than 1 week.
Course Description
AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures; policies; and political, economic, and social challenges of six selected countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom. Students compare the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues by examining how different governments solve similar problems. Students will also engage in disciplinary practices that require them to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments.
College Course Equivalent
AP Comparative Government and Politics is equivalent to a one-semester introductory college course in comparative government and politics. (2020 CED)
Course Essential Questions
- How do different political systems structure power and legitimacy, and how does that shape citizen participation and rights?
- Why do countries facing similar challenges (economic development, conflict, inequality, corruption) respond differently, and which approaches seem most effective?
- How can we use evidence (data, cases, and political concepts) to make strong comparisons and arguments about political outcomes across countries?
Course Overview
AP Comparative Government & Politics |
|||
Lesson (AP Unit) |
AP Learning Objectives |
Quiz |
Assignment |
|
1: 0/1- Intro to AP and Comp Gov (Unit 1: 1.1-1.2) |
1.1 The Practice of Political Scientists 1.2 Defining Political Organizations |
N/A |
0A- Current Event D1- Intro to AP Comp. Gov. |
|
2: How to Study AP Comp. Gov. (Unit 1: 1.1-1.2) |
1.1 The Practice of Political Scientists 1.2 Defining Political Organizations |
N/A |
D2- How to Study Comp Gov. A2- Fragile State Index |
|
3: Political Systems (Unit 1: 1.3-1.10) |
1.3 Democracy vs. Authoritarianism 1.4 Democratization 1.5 Sources of Power and Authority 1.6 Change in Power and Authority 1.7 Federal and Unitary Systems 1.8 Political Legitimacy 1.9 Sustaining Legitimacy 1.10 Political Stability |
10 MCQ (L1-L3) |
D3- Political Systems, Regimes and Govt’s J3- Relationship b/w Political Systems and Economics |
|
4: Democracies (Unit 2: 2.1-2.9) |
2.1 Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems 2.2 Comparing Parliamentary, Presidential, and Semi-Presidential Systems 2.3 Executive Systems 2.4 Executive Term Limits 2.5 Removal of Executives 2.6 Legislative Systems 2.7 Independent Legislatures 2.8 Judicial Systems 2.9 Independent Judiciaries |
N/A |
D4- Democracies J4- Executive Branch Comparisons |
|
5: Non-Democratic Institutions (Unit 1: 1.3, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8-1.10; Unit 2: 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9) |
1.3 Democracy vs. Authoritarianism 1.5 Sources of Power and Authority 1.6 Change in Power and Authority 1.8 Political Legitimacy 1.9 Sustaining Legitimacy 1.10 Political Stability 2.3 Executive Systems 2.5 Removal of Executives 2.7 Independent Legislatures 2.9 Independent Judiciaries |
10 MCQ (L4-L5) |
D5- Non Democratic Institutions A5- Democracies vs. Non-Democracies |
Midterm Exam- 55 MCQ, 2 Free Response Questions (FRQ) |
|||
|
6: Political Identity I (Unit 3: 3.1-3.9) |
3.1 Civil Society 3.2 Political Culture 3.3 Political Ideologies 3.4 Political Values and Beliefs 3.5 Nature and Role of Political Participation 3.6 Forces that Impact Political Participation 3.7 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3.8 Political and Social Cleavages 3.9 Challenges from Political and Social Cleavages |
N/A |
D6- Political Identity J6- Critical Consuming 5 Cs |
|
7: Political Identity II (Unit 3: 3.1-3.9) |
3.1 Civil Society 3.2 Political Culture 3.3 Political Ideologies 3.4 Political Values and Beliefs 3.5 Nature and Role of Political Participation 3.6 Forces that Impact Political Participation 3.7 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3.8 Political and Social Cleavages 3.9 Challenges from Political and Social Cleavages |
10 MCQ (L6-L7) |
D7- Political Identity |
|
8: Collective Actions (Unit 4: 4.1-4.6) |
4.1 Electoral Systems and Rules 4.2 Objectives of Election Rules 4.3 Political Party Systems 4.4 Role of Political Party Systems 4.5 Impact of Social Movements and Interest Groups 4.6 Pluralist and Corporatist Interests |
N/A |
D8- Collective Action and Social Movements A8- Social Movements |
|
9: Political Expressions (Unit 4: 4.1-4.6) |
4.1 Electoral Systems and Rules 4.2 Objectives of Election Rules 4.3 Political Party Systems 4.4 Role of Political Party Systems 4.5 Impact of Social Movements and Interest Groups 4.6 Pluralist and Corporatist Interests |
10 MCQ (L8-L9) |
D9- Political Expression J9- Political Parties |
|
10: Political Economy |
5.1 Impact of Global Economic and Technological Forces 5.2 Political Responses to Global Market Forces 5.3 Challenges from Globalization 5.4 Policies and Economic Liberalization 5.5 International and Supranational Organizations 5.6 Adaptation of Social Policies 5.7 Impact of Industrialization and Economic Development 5.9 Impact of Natural Resources |
10 MCQ |
D10- Political Economy A10- Economic Comparisons |
Final Exam- 55 MCQ, 2 Free Response Questions (FRQ) |
|||
Grades
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:
| Source | Available Points |
|---|---|
| Lesson Assignments | 255 |
| Lesson Quizzes | 50 |
| Midterm Exam | 95 |
| Final Exam | 95 |
| Total | 495 |
AP Discussions
Participation in online discussions (e.g., discussion forums, chats, community projects, and/or instructor conferences) is expected and will factor into your overall course grade.
All online discussions described in course lesson pages are required unless your instructor notes otherwise. Your instructor may also arrange additional required chats or instructor conferences. Be sure to regularly check the course calendar and announcements from your instructor regarding upcoming discussions and requirements.
Your participation in required online discussions will be evaluated on criteria such as frequency, timeliness, thoughtfulness and effort, and overall contribution to the knowledge base and learning experience of your classmates. You are also expected to monitor and respond to posts on discussion threads which you have started or have previously contributed to; you should not simply make a post and consider the discussion “done,” because it should be an ongoing conversation with your peers and/or instructor.
Postings that begin new discussion forum threads will be reviewed based on their relevance, demonstrated understanding of course concepts, examples cited, and overall quality. Postings that respond to other students’ posts will be evaluated based on relevance, degree to which they extend discussions, and tone.
Accessibility
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.Textbook & Technology Requirements
To fully participate, make sure you have:
- A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
- A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
- Any other required textbooks or materials for the course
Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.
- Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
- For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
- For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.
Canvas Technical Support
Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.
- Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
- For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
- For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|