What does WSEE talk about?
An Extended Essay in World Studies (WSEE) of a maximum length of 4000 words opens up the doors for the IBDP students to make a trans-disciplinary integration of contemporary global significance. It allows learners to conduct an in-depth, interdisciplinary investigation into an issue of modern global importance that he/she cares about.
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What is the interdisciplinary integration?
It refers to using discipline-specific ways of knowing (WOK-s), establish knowledge claims, methods and approaches to inquiry. ‘Interdisciplinary’ integration necessitates research based on the methods, concepts and theories of two DP subjects, out of which at least one of the subjects is chosen from their course of study. The academic nature of EE necessitates students to understand a global issue through disciplinary lenses. In viewing a topic through the lens of two DP subjects, a student can spin the thread of deeply exploring and critiquing a contemporary issue.
What are the different forms of integration?
They are ‘complex explanation’ dealing with the occurrence of a complex phenomenon; ‘contextualization’ referring to the placing of a particular concept or issue arising in one discipline in a larger historical, cultural or philosophical framework; ‘transdisciplinary exploration’ of disciplines; and ‘artistic synthesis’ explaining aesthetic interpretation of a non-artistic topic or issue.
What does integration involve?
Interdisciplinary research is:
- Integrative in bringing together concepts, methods, or forms of communication from two or more disciplines
- Purposefulin connecting disciplines to solve real world problems, or address complex issues in new ways
- Grounded in having superb clarity in the fundamentals, i.e. disciplinary knowledge and understanding
Why does integration matter?
It enables a candidate to ask questions like-
- ‘How are different disciplines inter-connected in a study of my selected research area or specific research question?’
- ‘What insights have I gained through the combination of perspectives that could not have been achieved by considering each discipline in isolation?’
- ‘Why and how does bringing these particular disciplines together in my study of the topic make sense?’
What is the meaning of ‘contemporary’?
‘Contemporary’ in this context refers to current affairs or events which the students are currently experiencing. The chosen topic is analysed from a local and global perspective.
What kind of topics can it encompass?
A WSEE focuses on a topic of global importance. This encourages the students to reflect on the world today in relation to issues such as the global health crisis, climate change, terrorism, energy security, migration, global health, technology, disaster relief and rehabilitation, civil protest and unrest, global financial crisis, disadvantaged groups, infringements on human rights, discrimination and persecution and cultural exchange.
What is the focus of research?
The self-regulated learners are required to identify an issue of global importance and its local manifestation, develop a clear logic for taking an interdisciplinary approach and use the conceptual framework and vocabulary or articulation of two Diploma Programme subjects. This enables them to conduct interdisciplinary research based on methodologies like the use of primary and/ secondary data to produce a coherent analysis with a deeper insight of the area of investigation.
Which are the six global themes/areas of study?
There are six global themes. Any one theme is selected, out of which one of the topics would be the WSEE topic of analysis.
The themes are-
- Conflict, peace and security
- Culture, language and identity
- Environment and/or economic sustainability
- Equality and inequality
- Health and development
- Science, technology and society
How to choose a topic?
Many topics are potentially apt for a world studies EE. The chosen topic must address an issue of global significance and welcome an interdisciplinary approach.
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The Focused topics are the most successful topics reveal strong nexus or connections between specific or local places, people, phenomena or experiences and the larger global framework in which they take place. They are based on a critical analysis of the issue in light of relevant theories, methods and arguments in the two subjects considered.
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A good focused topic encourages analysis and evaluation rather than description, unsupported generalizations and value judgments, meeting the various assessment criteria within the 4,000-word limit.
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The Unfocused topics are too generic and ‘broad’ in scope to permit an in-depth study within the word limit. They are handled with superficial analysis of concepts.
Always the focused ones are preferred to the broad ones.
How to get started?
Step 1: A student chooses one of the six global themes.
Step 2:Â He/she identifies a topic of research which is of personal, local (specific examples or case studies) and global significance. It explores the complexities of the issue in a manageable way. It documents the best practices offering lessons beyond the local geographical focus.
Step 3:Â He/she then recognizes of two disciplinary lenses (two IB subjects, one of which the student is already studying) through which the topic is explored.
Step 4:Â This step relates to gathering of relevant information, ideas and tools in the disciplines.
Step 5:Â The student then crafts the possible research questions on the problem of study.
Step 6:Â It refers to identifying the sources / methods of data collection to validate the research.
Step 7:Â In this step the candidate analyses and synthesizes the topic from local and global perspectives. Step 8-The student writes the essay with a reflection on significance, limitations and possibilities of the topic.
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