The aims of the course at SL and HL are to equip students to:

• explore and evaluate power in contemporary global politics

• examine how state and non-state actors operate and interact with political systems

• investigate and analyse contemporary political issues and challenges from multiple perspectives

• develop a lifelong commitment to active global citizenship through collaboration and agency.

There are four compulsory units - one core topic and three thematic studies:

Global Politics core topics:

1. Understanding power and global politics

Thematic studies: 

2. Rights and justice

3. Development and sustainability

4. Peace and conflict

HL extension: Global political challenges

Extended inquiries focused on global political challenges.

Students conduct independent research on case studies that connect to the following HL topic areas:

1. Borders

2. Environment

3. Equality

4. Health

5. Identity

6. Poverty

7. Security

8. Technology

For the Global Politics HL syllabus, click here.

For the Global Politics SL syllabus, click here.

In Global Politics the thinking skills of metacognition and reflection are practiced continuously. In fact, one way to view the subject is as a space where students can learn to think about the world they inhabit in richer and deeper ways.  Similarly, critical and creative thinking is emphasized in the course. Working through the Global Politics course on a conceptual level and exploring political issues through a variety of perspectives and approaches exposes students to many ideas and thoughts. These require sorting, evaluation, and communication, which can spark further new ideas and thoughts. For example, while working with the same key concept or political issue on a global, national, or community level, students can connect related ideas, recognize that the “story” may look different from another perspective (depending on which actors are the focus), and develop a more nuanced response. While thinking through such matters, they engage in critical thinking, creative thinking, and thought transfer from one area of global politics to another.

SL external assessment – 70%

• paper 1: (1 hour 15 minutes) – 30%

Source-based paper that draws from the common SL and HL core topics.  Students answer four compulsory structured questions.

• paper 2: (1 hour 45 minutes) – 40%

Extended response paper based on the common SL and HL thematic studies.  Students must answer two questions: one essay from a section comprising questions from each of the thematic studies and one essay from a section comprising integrating questions.

SL Internal assessment – 30%

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

• engagement project (25 hours)

Students undertake an engagement with a political issue of their choice - this requires preparatory research, planning, active engagement, and complementary research and reflection.  The culmination of this project is a 2000-word report.

HL external assessment – 80%

• paper 1: (1 hour 15 minutes) – 20%

Source-based paper that draws from the common SL and HL core topics.  Students answer four compulsory structured questions.

• paper 2: (1 hour 45 minutes) – 30%

Extended response paper based on the common SL and HL thematic studies.  Students must answer two questions: one essay from a section comprising questions from each of the thematic studies and one essay from a section comprising integrating questions.

• paper 3: (1 hour 30 minutes) – 20%

  Stimulus-based paper related to the HL extension syllabus (global political challenges).      Students must respond to three questions drawing from their researched case studies.

HL internal assessment – 20%

This component is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IB at the end of the course.

• engagement project (35 hours)

Students undertake an engagement with a political issue of their choice - this requires preparatory research, planning, active engagement, and complementary research and reflection.  The culmination of this project is a 2400-word report.

Global Politics is an excellent preparation for many disciplines that can be studied at university including, but not limited to, International Relations, Political Science, and PPE.  Global Politics is also a great help in the study of law, economics, gender studies, business, journalism, history, development studies, communications, and many other subject areas. The Global Politics course is of value to all students as it is designed to develop international-mindedness through an examination of fundamental global political concepts and contemporary case studies.