Phase 1 Planning
IA EA guide Phase 1.pdfPhase 1 guide
Step 1: Brainstorming political issues
What is a political issue? Source: IB Global politics subject guide
"In DP global politics, a political issue is any situation or matter that deals with how power is distributed and how it operates within social organization.
This can be extended to the different ways people think about and engage with matters that affect their lives, their communities and the wider world. Political issues are researched in university social science departments and think tanks. They fill the agendas of politicians and policymakers. They occupy the minds of executives in global corporations and local social entrepreneurs. They affect how people participate in and resist change. They are discussed in social media, mass media and over coffee. They inspire oratory and art. They are deeply rooted in history and culture. In short, political issues are an ongoing, ever-present part of our daily lives.”
(For more guidance re-visit the introduction to the core).
How do these connect to the global political challenges?
HL students have eight global political challenges which form the basis of their HL Paper 3.
HL students do case study research into a political issue which is connected to one or two global political challenges.
The challenges are broad, and we can think of them as umbrellas. This means they are also helpful as an initial way of brainstorming ideas for the IA.
Global political challenge èpolitical issue
For example:
Health > access to contraception
Technology > surveillance and facial recognition software
Environment > river pollution from cattle farming
Borders and identity > racism in asylum processes.
Step 2: Choosing the location
The purpose of the IA is to engage in a political issue that impacts your local area or community. You must choose something that has authentic connection to your life, not something you think will impress an examiner.
Most students will do the engagement activities during the summer. The draft report is due at the start of year 2.
Some students ask to write about other countries they are visiting in the summer. You should not choose a political issue in a place where you are a tourist- unless you were looking at the issue of tourism itself.
If you cannot go home this summer, don’t worry, we will work together to create a plan.
Task: Political issues impacting my local area/ community
Choose four GPCs and then brainstorm at least 3 political issues that relate to your local area/ community.
Step 3: Mapping perspectives
The purpose of the engagement project is that you examine the political issue from multiple perspectives. Often because you have chosen a political issue you feel strongly about, it means that students find it hard to give balance. Start by mapping out the different perspectives. These may be stakeholders to the political issue or experts (e.g. professionals, academics, journalists).