THIS COURSE WAS DEVELOPED AS PART OF AN INTEGRATED AND SEQUENTIAL, HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM FOR ABLE STUDENTS (UPPER 25 PERCENT). THE COURSE CONSISTS OF 9 UNITS OF STUDY, EACH UNIT CONTAINING A BRIEF STATEMENT OF A POLITICAL ISSUE AND SEVERAL READINGS ON THAT ISSUE. SOME ISSUES COVERED ARE (1) POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF PRIMITIVE SOCIETIES, (2) ATTRIBUTES OF AMERICAN AND SOVIET POLITICAL LEADERS, (3) GAINING AND MAINTAINING POLITICAL SUPPORT IN RUSSIA (U.S.S.R.) AND IN AMERICA, (4) CONTROLLING POLITICAL LEADERS IN RUSSIA (U.S.S.R.) AND IN AMERICA, (5) DECISION-MAKING, AND (6) ROLE OF THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZEN. THE COURSE DIFFERS FROM THE USUAL CIVICS COURSE IN (1) SUBJECT COVERAGE, (2) CLASS MEETINGS, (3) TYPE OF READING MATERIAL, (4) SUPPLEMENTARY ACTIVITIES, (5) USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, (6) APPROACH TO TEACHING, AND (7) EXAMINATIONS. THE COURSE IS DESIGNED TO PRECEDE "COMPARATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEMS" (ED 010 316), THE SECOND COURSE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A 4-YEAR SEQUENCE. A TEACHER'S MANUAL IS INCLUDED. (RS)