Teacher: Thomas J. Shaheen

Email: Thomas.Shaheen@gmail.com

Textbooks:

• Mark Kesselman, et.al. Introduction to Comparative Politics, 4th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007.
• Christian Soe, Ed. Annual Editions: Comparative Politics 08/09, Dubuque, IA: McGraw-Hill Contemporary Learning Series, 2008 (upon publication release).

• Current readings from The Economist and other international Web-based news sources
• AP Briefing Papers – provided by instructor, published by the College Board
• Essays and papers published on current topics of study – provided by instructor

How to apply: E-mail instructor at Thomas.Shaheen@gmail.com and request a simple application form (or with any questions). Once your application is reviewed and you are accepted into the course, proceed with registration and payment to PAhomeschoolers.com

Class fee: $400, plus books

Class Description

This class will provide students with the conceptual tools necessary to develop an understanding of some of the world’s diverse political structures and practices. It will encompass the study of specific countries and their governments, and the general concepts used to interpret the political relationships and institutions. The goal is to prepare students for the AP Comparative Government and Politics exam offered through the College Board annually in May. (Note: This exam may be taken in conjunction with the optional AP United States Government exam offered on the same dates; see separate class offering.)

Six countries form the core of the AP Comparative Government and Politics Examination. These countries include Britain, China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria and Russia. These countries provide a foundation for developing paradigms of different types of political systems. The class will also study an overview of United States government – as a framework for understanding government.

This class will highlight substantive topics and questions with regard to each country such as the sources of political authority and political power, society and politics, citizen and state, political frameworks and political change. These are all topics in which all AP students in comparative politics will be tested on the AP Exam.

The class syllabus will include weekly online discussions with classmates and instructor via message posting on a class “web board.” The syllabus will also include assigned text and online readings, assigned chapter outlines, essay papers, current and world event discussions, and exam preparation in the form of practice tests.

I will closely monitor all class-work and online discussions. I will also be available via E-mail. I expect students to complete all assignments by assigned deadlines and to maintain open and honest communication with me at all times regarding class work or home issues that may affect class work.

Instructor qualifications: I have a Masters degree in Public Policy from Regent University and a B.A. in Business Management from Moravian College. I have experience teaching and mentoring high school students in conducting mock government sessions at the annual City on the Hill Youth Leadership Conference. I have professional experience in direct lobbying, grassroots lobbying, legislative research and analysis, newsletter editing and writing, and have successfully published opinion columns in major Pennsylvania newspapers including the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harrisburg Patriot-News and Allentown Morning Call — in my more than 17 years as Vice President for Policy of the Pennsylvania Family Institute. This is my second year teaching this AP Comparative Government & Politics course online.

Teacher Assistant for this course is my daughter, Emily Shaheen, a PHAA home-school graduate, who graduated from Grove City College in 2005 with High Honors in Political Science and is currently the Media/Communications Associate at Pennsylvania Family Institute. Emily’s prior experience also includes Legislative Assistant for State Rep. Sam Rohrer and an internship at the Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. with TownHall.com.