iGCSE Global Perspectives

IGCSE Global Perspectives

Board Cambridge Specification 0457

In this course students explore stimulating topics that have global significance. They learn to consider different perspectives from a personal, national and international point of view. Through collaboration with other students, IGCSE candidates explore different cultural perspectives and also analyse information critically to find solutions. Moreover, pupils learn to develop an independence of thought by completing an individual report.

Course outline 1. A written examination – 70 marks, 1 hour 15 minutes – worth 35% of the course mark

Students will need to answer four compulsory questions based on source material, using their analysis and evaluation skills.

The source material will present claims, arguments and evidence from different perspectives on a global issue drawn from the following topics: • Demographic change • Education for all • Employment • Fuel and energy • Globalisation • Law and criminality • Migration • Transport systems

2. An Individual Research Report – 60 marks – 30% of the course mark

Students will need to complete a report of between 1500-2000 words in order to answer a ‘Global Question’ they have developed from a topic chosen from the following: • Belief systems • Biodiversity and ecosystem loss • Changing communities • Digital world • Family • Humans and other species • Sustainable living • Trade and aid In doing so, they will need to examine both the causes and consequences of the issues raised, but also evaluate possible courses of action to solve them.

3. A Team Project – 70 marks – 35% of the course mark

Students work in teams to create a project outcome. The choice of project must allow for the exploration of different cultural perspectives. The Team Project comprises two elements: Team Element and Personal Element (Reflective Paper) which allows the candidates to evaluate the success of the project and their role in it.

The aim and outcome needs to demonstrate research into one of the following global topics, particularly the differing cultural perspectives:

Conflict and peace Disease and health

Human rights Language and communication Poverty and inequality Sport and recreation Tradition, culture and identity Water, food and agriculture

Entry Requirement

This course is dependent on pupil numbers and is by recommendation only, in consultation with the Humanities Faculty and Mr Curry.

Students who take this IGCSE will be interested in the course because of its international focus. The IGCSE Global Perspectives course may also be suited to pupils who enjoy Humanities but wish to complete a course with a lower weighting in terms of written examinations.

Beyond GCSE

This course is particularly suitable for students who are not looking to study Geography or History at A Level. The course has significant overlaps with the social sciences, e.g. Sociology.