Advanced Placement Comparative Government and Politics is a one semester course designed to introduce
students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available
institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to communicate to
students the importance of global political and economic changes. Careful comparison of political systems
produces useful knowledge about the institutions and policies countries have employed to address problems. In addition to covering the major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what is known about political phenomena and relationships, the course covers specific countries and their governments. With the focus on six countries (China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia) understanding moves from abstract definition to concrete example.
Goals
The above information was adapted from College Board.
students to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of country settings. The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available
institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to communicate to
students the importance of global political and economic changes. Careful comparison of political systems
produces useful knowledge about the institutions and policies countries have employed to address problems. In addition to covering the major concepts that are used to organize and interpret what is known about political phenomena and relationships, the course covers specific countries and their governments. With the focus on six countries (China, Great Britain, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia) understanding moves from abstract definition to concrete example.
Goals
- Students successfully completing this course will:
- understand major comparative political concepts, themes, and generalizations
- have knowledge of important facts pertaining to the governments and politics of China, Great Britain,
- Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia
- understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences
- be able to compare and contrast political institutions and processes across countries and to derive generalizations
- be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to comparative government and politics
- Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Sovereignty, Authority, and Power
- Political Institutions
- Citizens, Society, and the State
- Political and Economic Change
- Public Policy
The above information was adapted from College Board.