AP US Govt-Pol/AP Comparative+ (4x4)

The AP United States Government and AP Comparative Political Systems (semester) provides an opportunity for students to engage in the study of national and global governments. In the first semester students are introduced to key political ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the political culture of the United States. Successful completion of the first semester of the course satisfies the US Government (.5) graduation requirement. The second semester 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 the political, economic, and social challenges among six selected countries: Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, Iran, China, and Nigeria. Additionally, students examine how different governments solve similar problems by comparing the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues. The course examines politically significant concepts and themes, through which students learn to apply disciplinary reasoning, assess causes and consequences of political events, and interpret data to develop evidence-based arguments. Completing this year long course prepares students to take the AP United States Government exam AND the AP Comparative Political Systems exam. Weighted.