Embedded Files
Global politics is a course for students who want to understand much more about how the world they live in works, what makes it change, and what prevents it from changing. The course draws on a variety of disciplinary traditions in the study of politics and international relations, and more broadly in the social sciences and humanities. Students build there knowledge and understanding by critically engaging with contemporary political issues and challenges that interest them.
The scope of global politics extends over a wide range of topics and areas of study, many of which will find links with other subjects in the individuals and societies group. Students develop their understanding of political concepts and their knowledge of specific content by exploring and researching real world case studies and examples.
Developing an understanding of power is critical for analysing how political systems work and how they change. Global politics students encounter the complexity and nuances of power from the beginning of the course. They build an understanding of how power works across multiple and interconnected dimensions, affecting the everyday lives of people around the world.
Course content and outline
Course content and outline
Core topics (HL and SL):
Understanding power and global politics
Thematic studies (HL and SL):
Rights and justice
Development and sustainability
Peace and conflict
The Global Politics core includes the study of 4 key concepts: power sovereignty, interdependence and legitimacy. Understanding of these concepts and related content will be developed through a series of case studies, such as:
China's growing power and relationship with the United States
Russia/Ukraine war
Israel's actions in Gaza and the Middle East
El Salvador's policy in relation to gangs (HL)
Internal Assessment (IA): All students complete a significant engagement project on a political issue of personal interest, complemented with research and a final written report. This represents an opportunity for experiential learning, allows students to explore political issues in practice and outside of the classroom. Examples of opportunities for engagement include volunteer work, internships, shadowing politicians/diplomats, structured interviews, creation of own grassroots political campaign etc.
HL extension: Global political challenges
Political issues in two of the following eight global political challenges are researched and presented through a case study approach. The choice of political challenges includes: Environment; Poverty; Health; Identity; Borders; Security; Equality and Technology.
Skills developed
Skills developed
ability to take informed action on political issues
critical thinking and source analysis
oral presentation skills on political issues
synthesis of evidence and the formulation of arguments
research and analysis of contemporary political issues
evaluation of different perspectives
appreciation of the local, national, and global dimensions of political issues
Assessment
Assessment
SL external assessment (3 hours) – 70%
paper 1 (1 hour 15 minutes) – 30%
stimulus-based paper based on a topic from the core syllabus
four compulsory short-answer/structured questions (25 marks)
paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes) – 40%
extended response paper based on the thematic studies
students must write two essays from a choice of six, (30 marks)
SL internal assessment – 30%
engagement activity: a written report (2,000 word maximum) on a political issue explored through engagement and research (24 marks)
HL external assessment (4 hours and 30 minutes) – 80%
paper 1 (1 hour 15 minutes) – 20%
stimulus-based paper based on a topic from the core syllabus
four compulsory short-answer/structured questions (25 marks)
paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes) – 30%
extended response paper based on the thematic studies
students must write two essays from a choice of six, (30 marks)
paper 3 (1 hour and 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 (28 marks)
HL internal assessment – 20%
engagement activity
a written report (2,400-word maximum) on a political issue and a well formulated recommendation explored through engagement and research (30 marks)
If you would like anymore information about Global Politics please do not hesitate to come to see Ms Melanie Wilson (Head of Department) in D338 or send her an email at: mew@gapps.uwcsea.edu.sg
Report abuse