Global Politics

The twenty-first century has been characterised by rapid change and increasing interconnectedness, impacting individuals and societies in unprecedented ways and creating complex political challenges. Global politics is an exciting, dynamic subject that draws on a variety of disciplines in the social sciences and humanities, reflecting the complex nature of many contemporary political issues.

The study of global politics as part of the IB Diploma Programme at Marlborough College Malaysia enables students to critically engage with different and new perspectives, as well as helping them to become aware of their role as active global citizens. The course is based on twin pillars:

• The study of core theoretical concepts which underpin the behaviour of political actors. For example: power, sovereignty, equality, violence and justice.
• The application of these concepts to near-contemporary global political events as detailed case studies. These currently include the civil wars in Syria and Yemen, independence movements in Catalonia and Kosovo, and protest movements such as the Black Lives Matter campaign.

As a part of the IB global politics course, students are required to complete an ‘engagement activity’ which involves gaining first-hand experience of a political issue, whether via joining a political march, interviewing prominent figures on either side of a dispute, or volunteering with a local or regional NGO. At Higher Level, they will also conduct personal investigations into two contemporary political challenges, assessed via individual oral presentations.

The politics department at MCM is exceptionally well resourced with a dedicated subject library. We also have access to a wide variety of free and paid-for online services such as Foreign Affairs magazine, the Economist and academic libraries including JSTOR and Questia Schools. Students are encouraged to read widely around the subject and to take an active interest in current political affairs as a further means of securing their understanding of global political trends.