At the end of this session, participants will be skilled in the ability to create an online syllabus that allows them to prepare a more detailed, interactive, and exciting course that will encourage students who traditionally struggle with the higher expectations of AP to excel. There is significant interest in promoting access and equity in the AP Program. Research indicates that the block schedule increases AP grades, but presents challenges to the AP teacher's goals of maintaining clear, high expectations for all students, and to the students' ability to keep schoolwork structured. The interactive online syllabus provides teachers, students, and parents with a concrete tool with which to communicate, plan ahead, and stay organized. Technology plus solid pedagogy enables all students to succeed in the more demanding AP environment.

Presenter(s): Barbara Segnatelli, Severna Park High School, Severna Park, MD

Subject(s): Government & Politics: Comparative

Should political scientists attempt to predict--or at least anticipate--developments in a given country? Yes-- it focuses the mind and sharpens our analytical tools. But how to anticipate? Participants will gain knowledge on the two basic approaches: Country experts versus comparativists. The former immerse themselves in the country, its data, and language. But they are often wrong (e.g. failure to foretell the Soviet collapse). Comparativists have broader perspectives that force them to sort out and weigh concepts, facts, and variables across many countries (e.g.Latin American democratization did not predict it in Eastern Europe or Russia). In general, the comparative approach is better.

Presenter(s): Michael Roskin, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA

Subject(s): Government & Politics: Comparative

Through this moderated discussion, teachers will learn best practices for the Comparative Government and Politics classroom. Participants will share their own course arrangements, curriculum, and any challenges they face in teaching the course. The conversation will be informal, but participants will take away ideas and teaching strategies for use in the classroom. Participants should arrive ready to engage in dialogue

Presenter(s): Jean Robinson, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Subject(s): Government & Politics: Comparative

Participants will learn the preliminary results of the first administration of the new AP Comparative Government and Politics Exam. The session willl focus on the free-response section and the first scoring of the new free-response question types. Presenters will answer questions about the development of the new curriculum and exam as well as any other questions about the first administration of the new exam.

Presenter(s): Jean Robinson, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN;
Sunil Sahu, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN;
Rebecca Small, Herndon High School, Herndon, VA

Subject(s): Government & Politics: Comparative

One feature of the new AP Comparative Government and Politics curriculum is that it places a greater emphasis on conceptual and thematic analysis. However, many introductory textbooks do not provide much guidance on definitions and applications of commonly used concepts. Development Committee members will discuss some of the major concepts used in comparative politics that are appropriate for the introductory course. Participants will gain knowledge of a variety of approaches to teaching these concepts and will learn a more cohesive approach to the teaching of the subject. Concepts addressed will include social capital, economic and political development, citizenship, and representation.

Presenter(s): Jean Robinson, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN;
Sunil Sahu, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN;
Rebecca Small, Herndon High School, Herndon, VA

Subject(s): Government & Politics: Comparative

Designed to help facilitate the creation of an AP Comparative Government course, the goal of this workshop is to provide participants with strategies for the development and implementation of instructional units. At the end of the workshop, participants will be skilled with techniques to incorporate writing and research assignments, current event activities, critical thinking exercises and activities, and review strategies for the national exam. Participants will be provided with detailed, content-driven material for the creation of instructional units that cover the key concepts in AP Comparative Government course, as well as the countries of Great Britian, Russia, China, Mexico, Nigeria, and Iran. Participants will also be provided with a review of the 2006 AP Comparative Examination.

Presenter(s): Stephen Popp, St. John's School , Houston, TX

Subject(s): Government & Politics: Comparative