By undertaking Global Studies, students come to appreciate the nature of global politics. They examine what can be achieved, and why there is a plurality of views on decisions about progress and reform. Students explore how its key participants respond to global challenges and collectively create opportunities for the betterment of the world. A focus of analysis is the choice between pursuing self-interest and the collective good.

Students come to understand that global politics has numerous and evolving processes for managing conflict and enhancing co-operation. As another distinct feature of this discipline students will examine the use of multiple, and often contradictory, theories and/or perspectives to see and interpret world systems. This course draws on data from a range of Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines, including but not limited to: History, Politics, Legal Studies, Economics, Geography, Sociology, as well the Arts and Sciences.

Global Studies promotes intercultural understanding by respectfully addressing sensitive issues arising from diversity of viewpoints, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals. The course provides the opportunity for intercultural dialogue to foster greater social cohesion. By developing skills of critical evaluation and reflection, it builds an understanding of different perspectives and ways of life. Students learn to engage meaningfully with different ideas and challenge their own conclusions. Thus equipped, students become better informed, reflective, critical global citizens, and change agents.

Global Studies students engage in research and data collection from a wide range of sources. Using case studies, they enquire into the nature, role and purpose of global politics. Students critique the actions and motivations of key figures and present their findings in coherent written, spoken and digital texts. They work collaboratively and engage in dialogue to enhance their own understanding of the diversity of worldviews.

In an increasingly globalised world, this course serves as a basis for further education, employment and active citizenship. Knowledge and skills developed in this course will contribute to further studies in courses, such as: International Security Studies, International Relations, History, Human development, International Business, Political Science, Economics, Law, and Communications.

The Global Studies course is written under The HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES FRAMEWORK 2019: BSSS HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Framework

Achievement Standards for HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES courses can be found within the Framework.

Humanities and Social Sciences is the study of how people process and document the human experience and their place in it. It empowers students to better understand humankind, society and culture and communicate ideas for the future.

Global Actors

Students critically analyse the distinctive nature and origin of actors within contemporary global politics. They use theories to question and analyse hierarchies and taxonomies of actors and power. Students assess the relative merits of diverse theories to evaluate actors’ claims to sovereignty, hegemony, and legitimacy and why some groups are excluded from exercising agency. They reflect on their role as citizens giving legitimacy to global actors through their decisions and beliefs. The choice of actors for study must include a range of actors from different locations and spheres of influence.

Global Processes

Students critically analyse the purpose, nature, and origins of global processes in the international order, and how these facilitate or impede relationships among global actors in many communities. They critically analyse different processes for negotiating between actors within global anarchy. Students evaluate the processes by which global systems operate and their potential for reform. They critique processes from different International Relations (IR) perspectives. Students reflect on their place, and their communities’ role, in global processes in working towards the common good. The choice of processes for study must include those involving a range of communities and locations.

Global Challenges

Students critically analyse significant contemporary issues that pose challenges around the world, as a result of processes employed by global actors to address issues and critique the resulting balance of power. They also question whether the mechanisms that regulate global behaviour effectively manage the tension between self-interest and collectivism. They analyse the challenges faced by actors and processes with the emergence of new powers and value systems. Students use theory to formulate questions and anticipate future challenges. They reflect on their connection to current global challenges and how they will respond to that realisation. The choice of challenges for study must include those impacting on a range of communities and locations.

Global Opportunities

Students analyse what progress and change can be achieved by global political action. They examine how the global system is perceived and used to improve lives for individuals and communities. Students evaluate possible pathways for progress and consider to whom current reform processes bring benefits. The nature of international declarations and agreements are considered in terms of their universality and contingency. Students consider their preferred future, the actions necessary to achieve it, and why it would be better. The choice of opportunities for study must include those available to a range of communities and locations.

Independent Study

An Independent Study unit has an important place in senior secondary courses. It is a valuable pedagogical approach that empowers students to make decisions about their own learning. An Independent Study unit can be proposed by an individual student for their own independent study and negotiated with their teacher. The program of learning for an Independent Study unit must meet the unit goals and content descriptions as they appear in the course. Students must have studied at least THREE standard 1.0 units from this course. A student can only study a maximum of one Independent study unit in each course. An Independent Study unit requires the principal’s written approval. Independent study units are only available to individual students in Year 12. Principal approval is also required for a student in Year 12 to enrol concurrently in an Independent unit and the third 1.0 unit in a course of study.

Global Studies A/T/M (686 KB)

Global Studies A/T/M (328 KB)