HL Extension

HL students must research at least two different case studies and on at least two different topic areas.

It is possible to have one case study that relates to only one topic or two topics.

Some example case studies are:

Borders and security: A fight for border security: Greece's illegal use of pushbacks in 2019-2022
Health and equality: Targets, policies and administration: how has equal access to healthcare changed in Shanghai, China between 2014 and 2024?
Environment and security: Energy security versus biodiversity: hydroelectric dams in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Technology and identity: The fight for gender neutral recognition on passports in the European Union

Research process

Students’ research can be based on primary and secondary material, although the emphasis is likely to be on secondary sources.

Newspaper, magazine and journal articles, books, carefully selected websites, images and audiovisual materials are all valid secondary sources.

Good research practice requires that the sources represent a balance of views.

What data exist on the case, how valid are the data analysed, and to what extent are the data contestable?
Who are the principal actors and stakeholders?
What is happening?
Which terms are central to understanding the case?
What are the indicators that this case can be understood as part of global political challenges?
Which other similar cases are relevant to understanding this case?
Which political issues manifest themselves in the case?

What factors are causing this situation?
What are the political, social and economic impacts of the issue at various levels of global politics on various actors and stakeholders?
What are the responses to the issue at various levels of global politics by various actors and stakeholders?
How do interpretations of the issue vary by actor and stakeholder?
What considerations influence how the issue will play out?

How can I use the key concepts, theories, ideas and examples I have learned in the course to analyse this case and political issue?
Which wider issues or developments in global politics are relevant in understanding this case?
What is the particular significance of this case?
What other interpretations of or points of view on the case are possible?

Paper 3 (1 hour 30 minutes)

Stimulus-based paper related to the HL extension syllabus (global political challenges). This means it has one source.

Candidates must respond to three questions drawing from their researched case studies.

The paper is 28 marks and is 30% of your final grade.

Question 1 - 3 marks

Question 2 (a) 4 marks

Question 2 (b) 6 marks

Question 3 - 15 marks