Q2 Comparative Politics Syllabus

Comparative Politics

Trillium Charter School

2006/7 Quarter 2

Instructor: Ken Gadbow

Email: Ken@TrilliumCharterSchool.org

Phone: 503-348-9849

Course Structure:

Small group discussions dominate this course, supported by short lectures, reading, and writing assignments. We will have weekly mini-presentations about certain aspects of world political systems as well as brief readings and discussion activities. This class will also rely heavily on the students’ involvement in role playing activities.

Course Objectives:

Students will be able to identify key structures and positions from different world political systems and describe how they are important. Students will develop their writing abilities by creating brief, well-structured essays comparing political systems. Students will develop their skills as researchers, improving their ability to identify quality resources. Students will improve their ability to summarize information in order to be more efficient note-takers and paper writers. Students will understand the broad differences between political structures such as those based on monarchy, representative democracy, communism, and the differences between secular and religious governments.

Course Overview:

In this class we will compare and contrast systems of government at work in the world today. We will explore the ideas of liberalism, communism, secularism, and nationalism in order to come to a better understanding about the desirability of different form of government under which people live. We will identify what “politics” is, why we might need it, and how it looks different in different countries. We will specifically focus on the governments of The Republic of Turkey, Great Britain, and The Peoples Republic of China.

Code of Conduct:

All students are expected to know and uphold the Rights and Responsibilities of the Trillium Constitution. We will use the non-violent conflict resolution process that includes conversations, mediations, and the OVRR system.

Grading:

Participation: 50%

Projects 30%

Quizzes 20%

Participation will be graded according to the student’s involvement in daily class activities, including brief writing assignments, reflections, and small group activities. Students are expected to save their work in their file in the classroom. We will have regular quizzes as one way for students to demonstrate their knowledge of different political ideas and terms.

Attendance Policy:

The majority of your grade in this class comes from your participation. If you are not here, then you cannot participate. If you cannot participate, then you cannot meet the expectations of the class.

§ If a student misses more than 2 classes per term, s/he cannot earn better than a “B”.

§ If a student misses more than 3 classes, s/he cannot earn better than a “C”.

§ If a student misses more than 4 classes, s/he cannot earn better than a “D”.

§ If a student misses more than 5 classes, s/he cannot pass the course.

Quarter 2 Schedule:

Week 1 (Nov. 26 – Dec. 2)

Week 2 (December 3-9)

• Parent-student conferences this week

Week 3 (Dec 10-16)

• Parent-student conferences this week

Winter Break December17 – Jan 1. No School

Week 4 (January 2-6)

Week 5 (January 7-13)

Week 6 (January 14-20)

• Monday – No school – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Week 7 (January 21-27)

Week 8 (Jan. 28 – Feb. 3)

* Last week of the term. All assignments and projects due.