Courses

Global Politics

Year 11 and 12 IB Diploma Pathway|Individuals & Societies

Global Politics

Matt Hildebrandt
Curriculum Leader – Humanities and Social Sciences

Global Politics

James Anthony

Global Politics

Global politics is a course for students who want to understand more about how the world they live in works, what makes it change, or what prevents it from changing. Students build their knowledge and understanding by critically engaging with the most current political issues and challenges that interest them. Students develop their understanding of political concepts and their knowledge of specific content by exploring and researching real-world case studies and examples.

Developing students’ awareness of multiple partial perspectives and approaches—including their own—is at the heart of the global politics course. The course encourages dialogue, discussion and debate. By engaging in respectful and attentive dialogue, discussion and debate, it is hoped that students will progress towards forming their own viewpoints, these being both well-informed and provisional.

Global Politics will prepare students very well for any degree and career path that involves analysis, synthesis and high-level understanding of complex, interlinked issues. Global Politics’ students will be well prepared for degrees in Business, International Relations, Law, Economics, History, English Literature, or Human Sciences. In addition, the interdisciplinary nature of the subject means that students destined for science or mathematics pathways will benefit from an excellent training in analytical rigour. Above all, the course equips students with the skills to become well-informed, analytical and critical global citizens.

Syllabus Structure

Both Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) students complete the common core unit entitled Understanding Power & Global Politics and the three thematic studies: Rights & Justice, Development & Sustainability, and Peace & Conflict.  The core topics encompass wide overarching elements that are central to the study of the subject. Meanwhile each of the thematic studies presents a particular focus and provides additional conceptual and analytical tools.

Core Topic

  • Understanding Power & Global Politics

Thematic Studies

  • Rights & Justice
  • Development & Sustainability
  • Peace & Conflict

 

Higher Level Extension

Higher Level students will also examine two contemporary global political challenges through self-selected case studies. Two challenges must be studied from the following eight options:

  • Borders
  • Environment
  • Equality
  • Health
  • Identity
  • Poverty
  • Security
  • Technology

Courses

Standard Level

Both SL and HL students must also undertake an engagement project, which requires identifying and analysing a political issue in a community or local setting through research and active engagement. This may include interviewing stakeholders, participating in a simulation, and organising or participating in a campaign or forum on a political issue. They also complete an assessed written report where they examine a political issue that they have researched.

The Standard Level course is assessed through a source-based paper (Paper One), an essay paper (Paper Two), and the internal assessment exercise.

Assessments
  • Internal Assessment
    30%
  • Examination
    70%

Higher Level

Both SL and HL students must also undertake an engagement project, which requires identifying and analysing a political issue in a community or local setting through research and active engagement. They also complete an assessed written report where they examine a political issue that they have researched. As part of their engagement project, HL students are additionally expected to conduct complementary research and formulate recommendations to address the identified political issue. HL students also engage in extended inquiries focused on global political challenges. This is done through independent research in case studies selected by students.

The Higher Level course is assessed through a source-based paper (Paper One), an essay paper (Paper Two), an additional stimulus-based paper (Paper Three), and the internal assessment exercise.

Assessments
  • Internal Assessment
    20%
  • Examination
    80%