Friday Aug 30th 1.4 Democratization

Learning Targets: 1.4

Explain sources of power and authority in political systems.

Essential Knowledge:

Democratization is a transition from an authoritarian regime to a democratic regime; while this process can start or temporarily change direction, the process aims to result in the following over time: a. More competition, fairness, and transparency in elections b. Increased citizen participation in policy-making processes c. Universal suffrage for adult citizens d. Greater governmental transparency e. Protected civil rights and liberties f. Equal treatment of citizens g. Establishment of the rule of law

Democratic electoral systems can accommodate ethnic diversity and increase multiparty competition with rule adjustments, including gender or cultural quotas, proportional representation, and changes in vote thresholds and district boundaries.

Activity # 1

For those that didn't complete last class, everyone needs to complete 1.2 Topic Quiz TODAY!!


Assignment #1 -

Click on the assignment link. We are going to complete this assignment for all 6 countries that we will be studying. Nigeria, China, Mexico, Iran, UK, Russia. During class today, you need to complete the chart(s). By the beginning of next class, 1 country needs to be filled out on the assignment.




Homework:

Complete Topic Quiz 1.3

Wednesday Aug 28th 1.2 Topic Quiz & 1.3 Democracy vs. Authoritarianism

Learning Targets:

Describe democracy and authoritarianism

Essential Knowledge:

Factors that indicate the degree of democracy or authoritarianism of states include the extent of state adherence to rule of law, such as:

a. The principle that a state should be governed by law and not arbitrary decisions made by individual government officials

b. The degree of state influence on or control of the media

c. The degree and practice of free and fair elections

d. The degree of transparency of governmental decision making

e. The nature of citizen participation in government

Opener: 

Topic Quiz 1.2 - Please complete today's topic quiz.

Assignment #1 - 

Click on the assignment link. We are going to complete this assignment for all 6 countries that we will be studying. Nigeria, China, Mexico, Iran, UK, Russia. During class today, you need to complete the chart(s). By the beginning of next class, 1 country needs to be filled out on the assignment. 

Homework: 

Read pages 35 - 44 (Stop at Topic 4)

Reading the Illiberal Democracy and Vladimir Putin’s Russia Article

Aug 26th - Comp Gov

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Explain how political scientists construct knowledge and communicate inferences and explanations about political systems, institutional interactions, and behavior.

Describe differences between regimes, states, nations, and governments.

Describe democracy and authoritarianism.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

Analysis of quantitative and qualitative information (including charts, tables, graphs, speeches, foundational documents, political cartoons, maps, and political commentaries) is a way to make comparisons between and inferences about course countries.

Analyzing empirical data using quantitative methods facilitates making comparisons among and inferences about course countries.

The Human Development Index (HDI) b. Gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capita c. GDP growth rate d. Gini index (coefficient) e. Freedom House f. Transparency International g. Failed States Index

Factors that indicate the degree of democracy or authoritarianism of states include the extent of state adherence to rule of law, such as: a. The principle that a state should be governed by law and not arbitrary decisions made by individual government officials b. The degree of state influence on or control of the media c. The degree and practice of free and fair elections d. The degree of transparency of governmental decision making e. The nature of citizen participation in government

The branches of national government in democratic regimes are more likely to be independent of one another than in authoritarian regimes. Independence can serve to prevent any one branch from controlling all governmental power.

Authoritarian regimes include illiberal democracies or hybrid regimes, one-party states, theocracies, totalitarian governments, and military regimes.

Opener:

AP Classroom 1.1 Topic Quiz


Activity # 1

Mini Lesson:

Lesson Notes 1.1

Activity # 2

https://edpuzzle.com/media/5ca65b27d64d7440bb13d5df

Nation V. State

Activity # 3

Illiberal Democracy and Vladimir Putin's Russia Article

Homework: 

Read pages 27 - 35

Aug 22nd - Comp Gov

Lesson 1.1A1 & 1.1A2

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Explain how political scientists construct knowledge and communicate inferences and explanations about political systems, institutional interactions, and behavior.

Describe differences between regimes, states, nations, and governments.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

Analysis of quantitative and qualitative information (including charts, tables, graphs, speeches, foundational documents, political cartoons, maps, and political commentaries) is a way to make comparisons between and inferences about course countries.

Analyzing empirical data using quantitative methods facilitates making comparisons among and inferences about course countries.

Political systems comprise the laws, ideas, and procedures that address who should have authority to rule and what the government’s influence on its people and economy should be.

Activity # 1:

How to contain Iran Handout - The Economist

Activity # 2:

Airport Mayhem Handout - The Economist

Chaguan Handout - The Economist

Mini Lesson:

Lesson Notes 1.1

Homework: 

Read pages: 12 - 27 (Stopping at The Democracy Index)

Aug 20th - Comp Gov

Lesson 1.1A1 & 1.1A2

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Explain how political scientists construct knowledge and communicate inferences and explanations about political systems, institutional interactions, and behavior.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

Analysis of quantitative and qualitative information (including charts, tables, graphs, speeches, foundational documents, political cartoons, maps, and political commentaries) is a way to make comparisons between and inferences about course countries.

Analyzing empirical data using quantitative methods facilitates making comparisons among and inferences about course countries.

Activity # 1
Video in Class - 200 Countries, 200 Years

Activity # 2
Reading Handout - What's Wrong with Democracy

ASAP - Historical Documents

Author - What do we know about the author?  

How does this shape the document?

Setting - What is the context?  

What was happening during this time that might have influenced the author?

Audience - Who was this intended for?  

How might this have shaped the language of the document?

Purpose -  What did the author hope the document would accomplish?

Lesson Notes 1.1

Homework: 

Complete EdPuzzle What is Political Science