GloPoPolis 2026
Global politics basics
This section covers the course basics. The section includes the concepts and the analytical toolkit. You will want to return to this section throughout the course.
HL and SL syllabus units of study
Global politics core topics: Understanding power and global politics
Thematic studies
HL extension
This course has an HL extension. Students independently choose and research case studies related to eight global political challenges:
Borders
Environment
Equality
Health
Identity
Poverty
Security
Technology
These topics are interconnected and a case study may focus on one or more of the eight global political challenges. SL students may choose to also do these case studies.
Internal assessment: engagement project
All students complete an IA engagement project.
Students research a political issue that they feel passionate about in a place they are personally connected to. Students design their individual engagement project, including primary research methods, and write a report integrating their primary and secondary research. The engagement project is a unique aspect of IB Global politics.
HL students conduct additional research to inform their formulation of a recommendation to address the identified political issue.
GloPoPolis course structure
There are many ways to structure IB Global politics. The GloPoPolis approach is outlined below. Core content is covered in term 1 but is also woven throughout the course. The eight HL global political challenges are also covered through the course as a whole. The italics on the diagram show the modules where they are particularly emphasised.