Global Studies has been designed for students who want to pursue their own academic interests and ideas, and broaden their understanding of the world around them. It provides a unique opportunity for academically able students to explore and discuss global issues through primary and secondary research, thus developing their critical and creative thinking.
Contact
Subject Co-ordinator: Tim Scott
Email: tscott@barker.nsw.edu.au
Year 9
Skills for future learning
The primary focus of Global Studies is to extend and enrich students to develop practical skills for lifelong learning, within the context of a supportive but independent learning environment. To this end, students engage in primary and secondary research, and learn to identify, use and create reliable and accurate sources of information. They also have the opportunity to write for a variety of audiences (including media reports, submissions to government organisations and briefing papers), create multimedia presentations, and collaborate with their peers to develop solutions to global problems.
Variety of content
While it has a humanities base, Global Studies is interdisciplinary, meaning that it draws upon ideas and approaches from a wide range of subjects. The subject content is driven by students, to ensure it remains relevant to what is interesting them about the world today.
Broadly, the topics covered are international relations, human rights, social justice and conflict.
Students are challenged to think critically and analytically about many contemporary social, political, moral and ethical problems.
Choice of projects and presentation
Global Studies is an independent learning course. While students will be involved in some ‘formal’ learning in the classroom, most of their time will be spent working on in-depth research projects, both individually and in groups. Students have the opportunity to choose their own topics and mode of presentation, based on their interests and abilities.
In this course, students are expected to show a high level of motivation and initiative, as well as to:
• Display an ongoing interest in national and global affairs
• Become an expert on topics that interest them and teach the rest of the class
• Commit to improving their research, analytical and presentation skills
• Actively participate in class discussions and debates
• Work independently and collaboratively
All students are invited to apply to study Global Studies to ensure their suitability for an independent learning course.
Assessments
Assessments are project based and culminate in a rigorous Group Research Project.
Year 10
Skills for future learning
The primary focus of Global Studies is to extend and enrich students to develop practical skills for lifelong learning, within the context of a supportive but independent learning environment. To this end, students engage in primary and secondary research, and learn to identify, use and create reliable and accurate sources of information. They also have the opportunity to write for a variety of audiences (including media reports, submissions to government organisations and briefing papers), create multimedia presentations, and collaborate with their peers to develop solutions to global problems.
Variety of content
While it has a humanities base, Global Studies is interdisciplinary, meaning that it draws upon ideas and approaches from a wide range of subjects. The subject content is driven by students, to ensure it remains relevant to what is interesting them about the world today.
Broadly, the topics covered are media analysis, philosophy, social psychology and structural injustice.
Students are challenged to think critically and analytically about many contemporary social, political, moral and ethical problems.
Choice of projects and presentation
Global Studies is an independent learning course. While students will be involved in some ‘formal’ learning in the classroom, most of their time will be spent working on in-depth research projects, both individually and in groups. Students have the opportunity to choose their own topics and mode of presentation, based on their interests and abilities.
In this course, students are expected to show a high level of motivation and initiative, as well as to:
- Display an ongoing interest in national and global affairs
- Become an expert on topics that interest them and teach the rest of the class
- Commit to improving their research, analytical and presentation skills
- Actively participate in class discussions and debates
- Work independently and collaboratively
All students are invited to apply to study Global Studies to ensure their suitability for an independent learning course.
Assessments
Assessments are project based and culminate in a rigorous Group Research Project.