Global Politics
(Grade 10) 

In an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, understanding global issues and how different countries and organisations interact is crucial. This course will equip students with a critical understanding of global political, social, and economic issues and will help them not only understand how such issues affect them but also their role as political actors.

Grade 10 Global Politics is an interdisciplinary study of political processes and issues that occur within and across borders. We analyze the interactions, power dynamics, and the decision-making process of a diverse range of political actors, including governments, international organizations, and non-state actors. We examine how the world is organized, critically analyzing the far-reaching consequences of political decisions. The curriculum is structured around the core conceptual areas: Power, Sovereignty, Legitimacy, Interdependence and Human Rights. 

This course is dynamic, current, and profoundly student-led, placing agency at the forefront of learning. By embracing a discussion-based and highly contemporary model, we remain flexible, utilizing compelling case studies and practical simulations to bring complex global issues to life. This rigorous environment, which emphasizes precision, depth of knowledge, and critical analysis, serves as excellent preparation for the demands of IB Global Politics and other Group 3 subjects. The course aims to help develop informed and empowered global citizens ready to address 21st-century challenges.

Unit 1: Power and Political Issues
We explore how power is multifaceted, distinguishing between different forms of power and analyzing how states and non-state actors strategically employ these to achieve political goals. The course investigates political issues related to power at various levels, from community advocacy by NGOs to national movements like the Gen Z protests. This analysis reveals the growing role of non-state actors in governance and highlights modern interdependence.

Unit 2: Sovereignty and Legitimacy
Students examine sovereignty, the supreme authority of a state over its territory, and how it is exercised. We investigate how stable governance requires legitimacy, which is maintained through institutions like elections, constitutions, and public trust. Crucially, we analyze how a state's authority is challenged, often leading to a crisis of legitimacy, when it fails to be responsive to the needs and aspirations of its citizens.

Unit 3: Human Rights and Justice
The course culminates in a critical study of human rights, recognizing the state as both the main protector and violator of rights and investigating how economic conditions and cultural contexts influence this dynamic. Students analyze how systemic inequalities shape access to rights. We explore how advocacy and resistance movements challenge existing power structures. Finally, we evaluate how global justice mechanisms are constrained by state sovereignty and strategic political interests.

Assessment for Global Politics course is designed to be dynamic and practical, aligning with the course aims of fostering critical thinking, systems analysis, ethical engagement, and practical application. Assessments allow students to critically analyze complex issues, construct evidence-based arguments, and propose informed, actionable solutions. We assess through varied tasks including simulations, presentations, research essays, case study analysis, and socratic seminars.