1. AP US & AP Comparative Government at WSHS
Elizabeth Jackson-Pettine
Handouts are in the front, please take one!

2. Government Choices at WSHS
All seniors are required to take a one year course in government, the choices at WSHS are:
US/VA Government
Honors US/VA Government
AP US Government and Politics
AP US and Comparative Government and Politics

3. AP US Government Overview
The goals of AP US Government are for students to:
Know important facts pertaining to the government and politics of the United States
Understand major political concepts, themes, and generalizations
Understand typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences
Be able to compare and contrast political institutions and processes and to derive generalizations from them
Be able to analyze and interpret basic data relevant to government and politics

4. Comparative Course Overview
Through AP US Government & Comparative Government we aim to:
Study the governments of the US, UK, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria and Iran
Examine political institutions
Explain differences in processes & policy outcomes
Emphasize the importance of global political and economic change
Understand of the strengths and weaknesses of the different political systems
Compare and contrast developed, nearly developed and developing countries
We cover the US Government approximately the first 4 months of the class and the comparative countries the second 4 months of the class, with some of the information interspersed throughout. Students have done well on both exams and the pass rate for the comparative class was 92% in 2009 with most students receiving 4s and 5s. Students will become “experts” in one of the comparative countries and undertake a comprehensive project in that country during the spring. Since we cover twice as much information as the AP Government class, it is a fast-paced class that should only be undertaken by students who are advanced academically and eager to challenge themselves. It is especially suitable for students interested in international affairs, political science and current events in the outside world.

5. How is AP US different than AP Comp Govt?
US course
Comparative course
Good for general AP student
Equivalent to 1 college semester of US govt
US-centric
Slower paced, more long-term projects/simulations
Some current events
@1 hour of hmwk/class
One AP exam
No summer assignment
Good for advanced AP student
1 college semester of US govt & one semester comparativ govt
World-centric
Faster paced, more short term projects/simulations
Lots of current events
@1-2 hours of homework/class
Two AP exams
Summer reading assignment & short essays
John Micklethwait The Fourth Revolution: The Global Race To Reinvent The State

6. AP Exams in May: AP Exams AP US Government AP Comparative Government
45 Minutes – 60 MC Questions
100 Minutes – 4 Free Response Essay Questions (FRQs)
AP Comparative Government
45 Minutes – 55 MC Questions
100 Minutes – 5 Short Response
and 3 FRQs
Insert a map of your country.

7. Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding either course, please contact Elizabeth Jackson at