Government and Politics

Course summary

The Global Politics course is a dynamic and contemporary syllabus that weaves around certain fundamental political concepts such as power, sovereignty, equality, globalisation, conflict, human rights and sustainability. It allows students to develop an understanding of the local, national, international and global dimensions of political activity, as well as allowing them the opportunity to explore political issues affecting their own lives. The levels of analysis are from local to global and the idea is for students to make connections between them and to understand the interconnectivity of today’s society. Developing international mindedness and an awareness of multiple perspectives is at the heart of this course. It encourages dialogue and debate, nurturing the capacity to interpret competing and contestable claims. The engagement activity encourages students to actively participate in some form of political issue and the assessment is a mixture of sourcework, essays and videos created by the students on case studies of their choice. The flexibility of the course and the relevance to students’ own lives and communities make this a highly relevant and interesting opportunity for students to understand the complex world we live in. Aims • understand key political concepts and contemporary political issues in a range of contexts • develop an understanding of the local, national, international and global dimensions of political activity • understand, appreciate and critically engage with a variety of perspectives and approaches in global politics • appreciate the complex and interconnected nature of many political issues, and develop the capacity to interpret competing and contestable claims regarding those issues.