The AP Comparative Government and Politics course is demanding, covering diverse political systems and requiring in-depth analysis. A well-structured pacing guide is crucial for success. This guide offers a suggested timeline, adaptable to your specific needs and learning pace. Remember, this is a suggestion, and flexibility is key. Consult your teacher's syllabus for specific requirements and deadlines.
Semester 1: Foundations and Case Studies
This semester focuses on building a strong foundation in comparative politics concepts and applying them to specific case studies.
Weeks 1-3: Introduction to Comparative Politics & Research Methods
- What is Comparative Politics? Define the field, its key concepts (e.g., state, nation, regime, government), and the importance of comparison.
- Research Methods: Explore various research methods used in comparative politics, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, case studies, and comparative methods. Discuss the strengths and limitations of each.
- Introduction to the Six Cases: Begin familiarizing yourself with the six countries covered in the AP exam (typically, the UK, Russia, China, Iran, Mexico, and Nigeria). Start with basic geographical, historical, and demographic information.
Weeks 4-7: Political Institutions & Processes
- The State: Examine the concept of the state, its functions, and its relationship with other actors. Compare state capacity and autonomy across the six case studies.
- Political Institutions: Dive deep into the structure and function of political institutions in each country. This includes executive, legislative, and judicial branches; electoral systems; and bureaucracies. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and how they interact.
- Political Parties and Interest Groups: Understand the role of political parties and interest groups in shaping policy and influencing the government. Compare party systems and the influence of civil society.
Weeks 8-11: Citizens, Participation, and Civil Society
- Political Participation: Analyze different forms of political participation, including voting, protests, and civil disobedience. Compare levels and methods of participation across the six countries.
- Civil Society: Examine the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in each country, including NGOs, media outlets, and other groups. How do these groups influence politics? What are the challenges they face?
- Political Culture and Ideology: Explore the role of political culture and ideology in shaping political behavior and institutions. Consider how these factors differ across the six countries.
Weeks 12-15: Public Policy and Economic Systems
- Public Policy: Analyze the policy-making process in each country. Focus on specific policy areas such as economic policy, social welfare, and environmental policy. Compare policy outcomes and effectiveness.
- Economic Systems: Examine the relationship between political systems and economic systems. Consider the impact of different economic models (e.g., market economies, centrally planned economies) on political stability and citizen well-being.
Semester Exam: A comprehensive exam covering all material from Semester 1.
Semester 2: Deep Dive and Exam Prep
This semester focuses on refining your analytical skills and preparing for the AP exam.
Weeks 16-20: Case Study Deep Dive & Comparison
- Comparative Analysis: Dedicate time to comparing and contrasting the six countries across all the concepts studied in Semester 1. Develop skills in identifying similarities, differences, and patterns. Focus on essay writing and argumentation.
- In-depth Case Studies: Conduct in-depth analyses of specific events or policies within each country to illustrate key concepts.
Weeks 21-25: Exam Preparation and Practice
- Practice Exams: Take several full-length practice exams under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam. Analyze your performance to identify areas for improvement.
- Review Key Concepts: Revisit key concepts and terms, focusing on areas where you struggled on practice exams.
- Essay Writing Practice: Practice writing essay responses to common AP exam prompts. Focus on clear argumentation, evidence-based analysis, and strong conclusions.
Weeks 26-28: Final Review and Exam
- Final Review Sessions: Conduct intensive review sessions covering all key topics and concepts.
- AP Comparative Government Exam: Take the AP Comparative Government exam.
This pacing guide provides a framework. Adjust it based on your individual needs, your teacher's syllabus, and the available time. Remember that consistent effort and active learning are key to success in this demanding course. Good luck!
