This is an interdisciplinary option which allows you to work with two IB subjects. It is recommended they are cross-group for example Group 1 Language and Literature with Group 3 Economics or Group 4 Chemistry with Group 6 Theatre however, it is possible to do interdisciplinary within a subject group when the two subjects aren't too closely related eg history and economics.
World studies essay can only be written in English, french or Spanish
World Studies is also an opportunity to engage with a contemporary global issue but it should fit within one of the six themes below. You must identify a global issue i.e. population increase, pandemic diseases, intervention in conflicts and then narrow it down by having a focused RQ on a ‘local example’ (this can really mean ‘specific example’). So if you were considering ‘intervention in conflicts’ your example might be Syria and you could combine Language and Literature (so to analyse the media’s role) and History with the RQ ‘What role has the media played in deterring Western involvement in Syria? (Theme 1, IB subjects History and English LL, global issue = intervention and local example = Syria)
The global issue you choose must be contemporary - The IB considers contemporary to be within your lifetime
There are six subcategories of World Studies Essays. This must be decided upon and entered into Managebac
conflict, peace and security
culture, language and identity
environmental and/or economic sustainability
equality and inequality
health and development
science, technology and society
With your WSEE it is vital to construct your approach so that you consider the global issue and then lead into an in depth discussion and exploration of your local example. At the end you can suggest solutions and then reconnect with the global issue with these solutions.
TITLE: GLOBAL ISSUE
RQ: Global issue but specific to LOCAL EXAMPLE
Intro: consider global issue, link to specific example and indicate which IB subjects are relevant to the study and why.
Body: explore in detail local example
Conclusion: suggest solutions for local example and link them to global issue and consider whether they might also apply.
Complete RESEARCHER’S REFLECTION SPACE (managebac)
Complete RPPF (managebac)