AP U.S. Government or AP Comparative Government?

[Brigid in NC]

I was planning for my 12th grader to take AP U.S. Government through the PA Homeschoolers next year, since we have had such a great experience with AP U.S. History through them this year. As I look over the AP courses, however, the AP Comparative Government class looks highly appealing. With only one year left, we have to make a choice!

 

Any advice from those who have grappled with this -- or have insights to offer -- would be appreciated!

 

Thanks! ~Brigid ;)

[danielle]

These are generally only one semester courses and many colleges award them credit as such. I'd check the colleges your dc is interested in.How about both?

If I had to pick, imho I'd do Comparative Government. Most kids (particularly hs kids) absorb plenty of info on the US thru history. But many Americans have little appreciation for other well functionning systems, ergo, Comparative Government.

Danielle

[Gwen in VA]

Ds did AP US Govt last year (through PAH) and is doing AP Comp Govt this year (through PAH).

 

Thoughts --

 

1) They are both good classes, well taught and helpful.

 

2) They are both significantly less time-intensive than APUSH (my dd did APUSH thru PAH two years ago). If your son is really gung-ho govt/pol sci, I would consider having him do both. If he is merely doing this to fill in a gap or check a box, he definitely shouldn't do both! :-)

 

3) If he is really interested in American history, he should probably do the US Govt class. It deals a lot with poitical theory and how/why our govt functions the way it does.

 

4) If he is really interested in international politics, he should do comp govt. Comp gov deals much less with history and theory and more with current events.

 

Whichever way you decide to go, you can't go wrong -- both classes are excellent.