Embedded Files
DP2 - Interim Reflection Session
The WSEE Introduction
The WSEE Introduction
It's normal for the intro of a WSEE to be a bit longer than in other subjects -- that's because there are a few things that are rather important to address in ANY WSEE, regardless of what your global theme and DP subject combination are.
Why is this an interdisciplinary essay?
Why is this an interdisciplinary essay?
In their 2018 subject report on World Studies essays, IB specifically says that they are hoping to see a justification for taking an interdisciplinary approach somewhere in your introduction. This mainly relates to Criterion A, the Focus and Method. In a single-subject essay, simply explaining why a topic is worthy of study may be sufficient; for a WSEE, you have a DOUBLE responsibility. You should explain why the topic is worth exploring, and ALSO why it benefits from being explored through the lenses of two different subjects/disciplines.
The BEST justifications will highlight how knowledge from the two disciplines can be synthesized or integrated, leading to a fuller understanding of the topic.
Justify the case study
Justify the case study
WSEEs explore a topic or issue linked to a global theme (one of the six options IB provides), but the main focus of your EE is the specific case study that you choose to use.
You'll want to justify this choice! Why does THIS case study (or studies for those of you who have more than one) bring something to the table?
There may also be some discussion of the limitations of the case study, though this is often kept for the conclusion section rather than the introduction.
Why subject A?
Why subject A?
This can be a part of the justification of an interdisciplinary approach, but you'll want to talk specifically about the knowledge, tools, methods, concepts, etc. of the subjects that you are using to investigate your RQ.
Why subject B?
Why subject B?
It's worth noting that there does not need to be a perfect 50-50 balance between the subjects that you use. This is a World Studies EE -- it is its own EE subject and has its own variation on the EE rubric. There is an expectation that both subjects are significant and play a big role in your analysis, but don't stretch yourself trying to make everything half-focused on subject A versus subject B.
State your conclusion in the intro!
State your conclusion in the intro!
While midway through the process you're unlikely to have a solid conclusion yet--you're still researching and looking at data, etc.--for your final EE you should give some sense of what the answer to your RQ is, or what your findings are.
Should you give all the info in the introduction? Nope! The body and the conclusion are the best places to lay everything out and provide a full explanation. But it is often considered helpful to "preview" your findings in the introduction, at the very least. This works for an EE in any subject, but I find it particularly important for a WSEE -- you spend time justifying the interdisciplinary approach as something useful, why not end your intro with the ultimate justification: an interdisciplinary approach helped you reach THIS conclusion.
More World Studies advice...
Case Study --> Big Picture
Case Study --> Big Picture
Remember that a focus on one case study is naturally a limited approach. This case study is unlikely to FULLY address your RQ, and there are always more things to be explored and more questions that need answers.
It's worth setting aside a section of your EE to address these issues.
What questions have been raised as a result of your research and your analysis?
What advantages has this case study provided, what "blind spots" or gaps might there be?
What "burning questions" remain, potentially linked to your two disciplines?
How do your conclusions compare to other ideas that you encountered in your research? (You're free to disagree with other people's findings, but you'll want to support your assertions.)
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