Government teacher Lisa Gibson smiles as she monitors the Virginia Tech EU Simulation Debate on March 27, 2025, in the Ocean Lakes library. In addition to teaching in the social studies department, Gibson sponsors three related clubs: Model United Nations, Amnesty International and Scholastic Bowl. Photo used with permission from J. Picou – 620 Design.

For the 2025-26 school year, Ocean Lakes will offer a new advanced placement class: AP Comparative Government (AP Comp Gov).

Students taking this course will study government and politics in China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia and the United Kingdom, according to CollegeBoard. Critical thinking skills are taught through in-depth analysis of data, comparisons of sources, connections between events and the development of claims or theses. It will be taught by Lisa Gibson, who currently teaches both AP United States Government (AP U.S. Gov) as well as Honors World History I.

“The course builds critical thinking skills as students analyze how different countries address similar challenges, while also giving them valuable perspectives on global issues that will directly impact their futures,” Gibson said.

The main difference between the two government courses is in their content. AP Comp Gov covers international governments, while AP U.S. Gov dives deeper into American politics and systems.

“This class offers the unique opportunity to investigate different political perspectives while challenging students to think beyond their own cultural frameworks,” Gibson said.

It is crucial to note, however, that AP Comp Gov is an elective course. Taking this class does not satisfy the social studies requirement; students must additionally take a core government class or AP U.S. Government in their senior year.

To sign up for this class, rising juniors and seniors may indicate their decision on the course selection sheets handed out in the week of March 24, 2025. A minimum of 19 students must sign up for the class to be offered next year.

“The course provides engaging opportunities for debates and simulations that bring political concepts to life,” Gibson said. “[This allows] students to develop transferable skills in research, analysis and argumentation that will serve them well in college and beyond.”