Course Name Comparative Government and Politics AP (7388)
Schedule MTWRF – 0.5 credit per semester
Instructor Dr. Brandon Hentze
Room B214
Email bhentze@bths201.org
Conference Hours By appt: 10:30–11:30, 1:00–1:30, 3:30–4:30
This course introduces students to political systems, institutions, and policy outcomes across six core countries. Students will read, research, write, and debate global political issues. The curriculum simulates a freshman-level comparative politics course with quizzes, essays, and exams. This course is approved through the AP Course Audit and aligned to college-level POLS 150 courses. Students will explore how different governments operate, how political power is maintained or challenged, and how culture and economics shape policy. All students are expected to take the AP Exam in May unless exempted by college credit/placement.
This course has several purposes. First and foremost, students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the political systems, institutions, and cultures of countries around the world. Second, for students who wish to earn college credit, this course will provide a foundation to prepare for the Advanced Placement Exam in Comparative Government and Politics.
Master a broad understanding of political systems, regimes, and institutions across six core countries
Demonstrate an understanding of how political authority is established, maintained, and challenged
Use political data, case studies, and policy outcomes to support an argument or position
Differentiate between regime types, electoral systems, and policymaking structures
Interpret and apply data from charts, graphs, texts, and country-specific sources
Effectively use analytical skills of comparison, causation, and pattern recognition
Work effectively with others to engage in civil discourse, solve global policy problems, and simulate comparative analysis
Prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Exam
Treat this like a college class (mature, focused behavior expected)
Follow all school rules (IDs, dress code, etc.)
No phones during class—phones go in the “phone zone” or make special arrangements with the teacher
Be in your seat when the bell rings
Respect peers and materials
Unexcused absences = no makeups
Materials such as Flip Notes and Practicums are located on the class website. Â
Assignments are submitted on Google Classroom. It is strongly recommended that students install the Google Classroom app on their devices and turn on alerts to receive announcements and reminders of assignment due dates. Â
Both daily Formative Assessments and Summative Assessments will be completed through the AP Classroom platform provided by the College Board. Your teacher will give you a unique class code to join AP Classroom.
Students are responsible for checking their school email at least once per day, but it is recommended to check it throughout the day for messages from your teachers.Â
We will also use a GroupMe for class announcements. Your teacher will give you a join code for the GroupMe.Â
A Pacing Guide is available to students which shows activities in class on a day-by-day basis as well as all due dates for the semester. Students should refer to the Pacing Guide on a regular basis to plan on setting time aside for when major assignments are due.Â
Unit 1 (Political Systems, Regimes, and Governments): Governments come in different forms—democracies, authoritarian regimes, and hybrids. This unit explores who holds power, how they got it, and how systems are structured (or rigged) to keep it.
Unit 2 (Political Institutions): Presidents, parliaments, courts, and bureaucracies—every system has its own setup. This unit looks at how institutions function across countries and whether they actually deliver on what they promise.
Unit 3 (Political Culture and Participation): What motivates people to engage with politics—or avoid it entirely? You'll study how culture, history, and beliefs shape political behavior, and how regimes encourage or suppress participation.
Unit 4 (Political Organizations): From dominant parties to grassroots movements, political power is constantly up for grabs. This unit dives into elections, parties, and interest groups—and how they shape policy and representation.
Unit 5 (Political and Economic Change): Countries don’t stay the same forever. You'll explore how states respond to revolutions, protests, globalization, and economic shifts—and what happens when they don’t adapt quickly enough.
I used a "flipped classroom" model where students watch and take "Flip Notes" on a short video on YouTube the night before a lesson. These Flip Notes replace the traditional lecture a teacher would deliver in class.
The next day, you will use your Flip Notes to complete activities in class called Practicums. You will be asked to submit your Flip Notes and some designated screenshots from the Practicums for a grade periodically. Â
You will be asked to submit your Flip Notes and some designated screenshots from the Practicums for a grade periodically as your Action Reports.Â
Finally, you will be completing End of Lesson (EOL) Questions which pull together the main idea of each lesson. I expect you complete the EOL after each lesson as a way of tying everything together while the information is fresh.Â
Throughout the course you will complete Summative Assessments in AP Classroom. These assessments are designed to evaluate student learning while also honing skills for the AP Exam.
AP Review : All students enrolled in AP U.S. Government and Politics and AP Comparative Government and Politics will participate in a structured AP Review beginning shortly after Spring Break. This review is designed to prepare students for success on the AP Exams and will include activities, practice questions, discussions, and content refreshers.
Students will receive a participation grade based on their engagement and effort throughout the review period. Students who are not taking the AP Exam will be assigned an alternative culminating project aligned with the course content and skills.
📝 Action Reports: Make up 40% of your course grade. These check your Flip Notes, Practicums, and End of Lesson Questions.
- đź§Ş Summative Assessments: Worth 50%, based on College Board standards.
- đź“‚ Special Projects: Count for 10% of your grade and include the AP Review or alternative assignment.
Notes:Â
The Belleville West 10% grading scale will be used in this course.Â
Grades are based on total points. Â
The final semester grade is cumulative from the beginning of the semester
Extra credit is not available for Advanced Placement courses.
Scoring is subject to change.Â
Students are responsible for consulting the Pacing Guide posted on the website to determine class activities and lessons for the day they are absent. Lessons should be completed by the student prior to returning to school. Any work that is due on the date students are absent should be turned in on the due date. Students should plan ahead for absences and complete work on a timely basis, not waiting until deadlines in order to avoid complications.   Â
Students who are absent should have a phone number of a trusted classmate to text to find out what they missed in class each day they are absent.  A Pacing Guide and all upcoming assignments are posted on the class website. Â
Late work will not be accepted without prior approval of the teacher. If a student cannot make the due date for an assignment, contact should be made with the teacher PRIOR to the assignment due date to request an extension. Requests received AFTER the due date will be given more critical consideration.
Examples of academic dishonesty would be copying from another student, copying from a book or class notes during a closed-book exam, submitting materials authored by or editorially revised by another person but presented as the student’s own work, copying a passage or text directly from a published source without appropriately citing or recognizing that source, taking a test or doing an assignment or other academic work for another student, tampering with another student’s work, securing or supplying in advance a copy of an examination without the knowledge or consent of the instructor, colluding with another student or students to engage in an act of academic dishonesty; and making unauthorized use of technological devices in the completion of assignments or exams.Â
Where there is clear indication of such dishonesty, a faculty member or administrator has the responsibility to apply appropriate sanctions. Investigations of violations will be conducted in accord with standards and procedures of the Belleville West Handbook.Â
Belleville West Academic Integrity
The above definitions apply to all work completed in class.Â
Students found to be in violation of the policy will receive zero credit for their work.Â
Students found to be in violation of the policy will be reported to their Assistant Principal and the National Honor Society.Â
School discipline procedures will apply as outlined in the Student Handbook.
By participating in AP Comparative Government & Politics this Spring, you’ll have the opportunity to experience college-level learning and potentially graduate from high school with credits that transfer to many colleges and universities. We offer one route to earn college credit:Â
Advanced Placement- You’re taking a College Board-approved AP course. If you choose to take the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam in May and earn a qualifying score, you may receive college credit or advanced placement at many universities across the country.
Dual Credit - There is no dual credit option available for this course.Â
Not sure if college credit is right for you?Â
Want a Google Doc version of the syllabus? Click hereÂ
Note: All assignments, assessments, and due dates listed in this syllabus are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion to meet the needs of the class. Students will be notified in advance of any adjustments.