Unit 1 - UN Peacekeeping

In Unit 1, I studied the role of United Nations peacekeeping missions and their impact on global conflicts. Through worksheets, case studies, and higher-order questions, I learned about the purpose, structure, and limitations of peacekeeping operations, including missions such as UNTSO, UNAMIR, UNMISS, UNSMIS, and UNMIL. This unit helped me understand how international organisations attempt to maintain peace in complex and often unstable conflict zones.

While working on this unit, I developed several important skills. I strengthened my analytical and comprehension skills by interpreting case studies like the UNSMIS mission in Syria and identifying the reasons behind its failure. I also improved my critical thinking through opinion-based questions that required me to evaluate the effectiveness of peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and the use of force. Writing structured and extended answers helped enhance my argument-building and reasoning skills, as I had to justify viewpoints using real-world examples.

Additionally, this unit improved my research and factual recall skills, as I learned key dates, UN bodies, terminology, and mission objectives. By differentiating between concepts such as peacekeeping and peacebuilding, I gained a clearer understanding of how short-term and long-term solutions to conflict differ.

Unit 2 - Law and Criminalty

In Unit 2, I explored the concept of law and criminality and its role in regulating society. I learned how law functions as a system of rules created and enforced by authorities to maintain order, protect rights, resolve disputes, and promote justice and equality. This unit helped me understand that laws are not static; they evolve with societal values and reflect what a society considers acceptable or unacceptable behaviour.

I also studied the historical foundations of law, including Hammurabi’s Code and Roman Law, and compared how early legal systems shaped modern laws. Through this comparison, I developed a deeper understanding of how ideas such as written laws, equity, contracts, and equal application of justice emerged over time and continue to influence present-day legal systems.

Another key area of learning was the distinction between crime and deviance, and how power, social norms, and globalization influence what is considered criminal. Studying transnational crimes such as cybercrime, human trafficking, and organized crime helped me understand the global nature of criminality and the need for international cooperation through organizations like Interpol and the UN.

Finally, I learned about the administration of justice and different legal systems, including common law, civil law, and customary law. Comparing these systems improved my ability to analyze similarities and differences and understand how justice is administered across different societies.

Through this unit, I developed strong analytical skills, comparative thinking, and critical reasoning, especially when examining how laws reflect power structures and social values. I also improved my conceptual clarity, structured writing, and ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples. Overall, this unit strengthened my understanding of law as a crucial framework that shapes social order and justice in both national and global contexts.

About My Teacher

Monisha Ma'am... she's just excellent. She taught me in my previous grade, and ever since then, I've been her fan. She made me love GP so much, and when I got her in this grade again, I was so excited! Because of her, GP stopped being a subject I studied and became a subject I genuinely enjoyed. She helped me develop a deeper interest in global issues by encouraging us to think critically, question perspectives, and form our own opinions instead of memorising answers. Her lessons are engaging, thought-provoking, and structured in a way that makes even complex topics easy to understand. She creates a classroom environment where curiosity is encouraged, and ideas are respected.

- Your Student and Fan, Shanaya Sharma