GloPoPolis 2026

The IB Global politics 2026 course guide

This is the most important document for our course.

You don't need to read the whole thing but we will refer to parts of it throughout the course. 

For every IB subject you should be familiar with the course guide. 

2026 Global politics course guide.pdf

Global politics basics

This section covers the course basics.

It includes the concepts and the analytical toolkit.

You will want to return to this section throughout the course.

HL and SL syllabus units of study

Global politics core topics: Understanding power and global politics

HL extension

This course has an HL extension. Students independently choose and research case studies related to eight global political challenges:


These topics are interconnected and a case study may focus on one or more of the eight global political challenges.

Internal assessment: engagement project

All students complete an IA engagement project.

Students research a political issue that they feel passionate about in a place they are personally connected to. Students design their individual engagement project, including primary research methods, and write a report integrating their primary and secondary research. The engagement project is a unique aspect of IB Global politics. 

HL students conduct additional research to inform their formulation of a recommendation to address the identified political issue.

GloPoPolis course structure

There are many ways to structure IB Global politics. The GloPoPolis approach is outlined below.

Core content is covered in term 1 but is also woven throughout the course. The eight HL global political challenges are also covered through the course as a whole. The italics on the diagram show the modules where they are particularly emphasised.