Global Issues

Introduction

The Global Issues course explores contemporary issues affecting people, communities and societies around the world. Students examine different perspectives, investigate evidence and develop their own responses to questions raised by the issues they study.

Learning is grounded in real-world topics and informed by discussion, research and source material. Students use English to explore complex questions, communicate their ideas and develop clear, well-supported responses.

The Textbook

The course uses Global Perspectives for IGCSE & O Level: Student Book, 3rd Edition, published by Oxford University Press.

The textbook provides the academic foundation for the course and covers 22 global topics:

1. Arts in society

2. Change in culture and communities

3. Climate change, energy and resources

4. Conflict and peace

5. Development, trade and aid

6. Digital world

7. Education for all

8. Employment

9. Environment, pollution and conservation

10. Globalisation

11. Health and wellbeing

12. Law and criminality

13. Media and communication

14. Migration and urbanisation

15. Political power and action

16. Poverty and inequality

17. Social identity and inclusion

18. Sport and recreation

19. Technology, industry and innovation

20. Transport, travel and tourism

21. Values and beliefs

22. Water, food and agriculture

Its recurring approach is particularly important to the course. Students work with different perspectives, establish global issues, consider causes and consequences, develop global and national perspectives, find and evaluate sources, and consider possible courses of action.

The textbook gives us the subject material and a framework for approaching it. Individual topics are selected and developed according to the group, current relevance and the questions that emerge through discussion.

How We Study Global Issues

A topic may begin with a question, a case, a piece of evidence or a different perspective.

Students discuss what they already know, identify questions worth investigating and examine information from relevant sources. They may compare perspectives, consider causes and consequences, or explore how an issue affects different communities.

The course encourages students to move between understanding an issue, investigating it and communicating their own response.

From Global Issues to Student Work

Students turn their exploration of issues into different forms of academic work, including:

• research tasks

• source analysis

• presentations

• individual reports

• group work

• structured discussions and debates

• responses to global issues

• proposals for possible courses of action

Students also develop the conventions needed for academic work, including citation, referencing, structure, clarity and reflection.

English develops through the study of the subject itself.

Students practise:

• explaining and describing issues

• comparing perspectives

• discussing causes and consequences

• referring to evidence and sources

• qualifying claims

• presenting different viewpoints

• developing coherent responses

• drawing conclusions

• participating in academic discussion

The aim is to give students the language to engage with unfamiliar issues and express their ideas with greater precision.

What Students Develop

Global Awareness: A broader understanding of important issues affecting people and societies around the world.

Perspective: An ability to recognise and examine different ways of understanding an issue.

Critical Thinking: An ability to question information, examine evidence and consider causes, consequences and responses.

Research: An ability to find, select and use relevant sources.

Communication: An ability to discuss, present and write about complex issues clearly in English.

Reflection: An ability to review ideas, evidence and approaches and learn from the process.

Who This Course Suits

Global Issues is designed for students aged 14–18 who are interested in the world around them and enjoy discussing questions from different perspectives.

It is suitable for students who want to develop their ability to engage with contemporary issues, work with evidence and communicate their ideas clearly in English.

The course can also provide useful preparation for further study in areas such as social sciences, international studies, politics, development, environmental studies, media and communication, sociology, economics and law.

The Course in Practice

A class might begin with an issue such as renewable energy, digital surveillance, educational inequality, migration or globalisation.

Students examine the issue, consider different perspectives and investigate relevant evidence. Discussion may lead to further research, a report, a presentation or another piece of student work.

The topic provides the context. The students' questions, perspectives and investigation shape the work that follows.